The camp, however, was taken by surprise in the dead of night, and O'Neill's forces, careless or asleep, were slaughtered and routed without resistance.

Shane himself fled for his life, and, swimming across three rivers, succeeded in reaching his own territory.

This occurred the year before he cast off his allegiance to England.

He was required to appear before Elizabeth in person to explain the grounds on which he had claimed the chieftainship.

He consented, on condition that he got a safe-conduct and money for the expenses of his journey.