JOURNAL OF THE COUNTY :bQNEGAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY his opponent. The dragoon tore down 'On him with lance levelled and his annihilation seemed inevita1ble. At that moment a cry of "O Domhnall, ,a buaidh!" went up from·. a thousand throats. This galvanised Manus into action. With the aid of his long ashen pike handle he lithely vaulted to one side and deftly slit the reins of ihe charger as it dashed !by. The horseman, however, did not give up hope and manoeuvred his mount the best he could. The animal answered to the voice of its rider and once again came towards Manus, but this time being uncontrolled by rein swerved sharply. This was the !Plkeman's opportunity. He hooked the cleek of his weapon in the dragoon's collar, unhorsed him and pinned htm sa:fely but uninj,uiroo to tJhe ground. Having thus vanquished his opponent Manus placed his foot upon the chest of his fallen foe and proudly held his pike on high in token of vi,ctory. The cheering and exaltation that greeted such a speedy triumph knew no ·bounds. Unfortunately, the jubilation was short-lived. The Tribunal's :plans had miscarried. Captain O'Donnell instead of being killed ·by the dragoon, as was hoped, had, in the minimum of time, unhorsed the King's representative in a most.unceremonious manner, won popular favour, and was the hero of the hour. It was dangerous tO make heroes out of rebels, especially when tne fame was won by a feat of arms. Captain Murray was seriously perturibed. He is reputed to have sald:,__."If this man had ttie command of 1,000 others like him-. self he would pull down the British Throne." SWift and decisive action was necessary and, as might :be expected, the gallant Captain rose to the occasion. Instead of giving Manus the freedom he had promised him he ordered that he :be led back to prison and condemned him to 500 lashes on the triangle. Fortunately Lord Cavan, a just and humane man, who had commaqd o'i the Forces in the North, happened to ibe passing that way from Enniskillen to Letterkenny at ~he time. He enquired the reason for the tumult and excitement. Upon being informed of what had taken place ·he :personally intervened before Gaptain Murray's cruel orders could.,1be carried out and g.ave instructions that the !Prisoner was to be r,eleased. This was duly done but not before ball was entered into to kee:p the peace for s,even years. Lord. Cavan must have had great admiration for Manus :as he remained to see that there would be no further hitch, and when he was released he conducted him in 1person . to where !Blrighlid na Glatsighe . was wadting. 03.1Ptatl:n O'Donnell was entirely unaware U:I> to this of bi~ saviour's identity and he accordingly asked him his namf and title. Upon learning that he was Lord Gavan he thanked him in suitable terms on behalt of' htmself and his wife. Rosary of. Thanksgiving MANUS. returned home in triumph. :when he and his party reached Kilmacrenan the infamous MoGrath came out trom his home at the UIPPer end of the village and tendered his hand .to welcome the returning hero. Manus; instead of grasping the outstretched hand, grabbed its owner lby the hair, which he wore long, and dragged him roaring down the steep street of the village towards the River Lurgy. A lady of the family of Campbell who lived near the lower end of the · village, seeing the position, rushed out from her house and with her scissors severed McGrath's hair from his assailant's grasp. That night McGrath and his family made a moonlight ,flitting and it is not known where the rtlight ended as they have never lbeen heard of since. The only memento of him 20!1i
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