1 5 77.] THE DESMOND REBELLION. 543 'At Christmas/ he wrote, 'I marched into their coun- try, and finding courteous dealing with them had like to have cut my throat, I thought good to take another course ; and so with determination to consume them with fire and sword, sparing neither old nor young, I entered their mountains. 1 I burnt all their corn and houses, and committed to the sword all that could be found, where were slain at that time above sixty of their best men, and among them the best leaders they had. This was Shan Burke's country. Then I burnt I577 . Ulick Burke's country in like manner. I as- Januai 7- saulted a castle where the garrison surrendered. I put them to the misericordia of my soldiers. They were all slain. Thence I went on, sparing none which came in my way, which cruelty did so amaze their followers that they could not tell where to bestow themselves. Shan Burke made means to me to pardon him and forbear killing of his people. I would not hearken, but held on my way. The gentlemen of Clanrickard came to me : I found it was but dallying to win time ; so I left Ulick as little corn and as few houses standing as I had left his brother, and what people was found nad as little favour as the other had. It was all done in rain and frost and storm, journeys in such weather bringing them the sooner to submission. They are humble enough now, and will yield to any terms we like to offer them.' 2 1 The Slievh Broughty Moun- tains over Lough Derg.
- Sir Nicholas Malby to Wal-
singham, March 17, 1577 : MSS. Ireland.
