...Rathlin Island, where Sorley Boy's children and valuables, together with the families of his principal retainers, have been lodged in the caves for safety.

Drake is in charge of the ships which transport Norreys' troops to Rathlin, commanding a small frigate called Falcon, with a total complement of twenty-five; he is charged with the task of keeping Scottish vessels from bringing reinforcements to the island.

While the chieftain is himself at Ballycastle, within sight of the island, the English break the defenses of the castle, where the retainers have fled, after a four-day siege, and massacre the six or seven hundred women, children, and old men.

A fort is erected on the island, but is evacuated by Norreys, and he is recalled with his troops to Dublin within three months, when it becomes clear that the plantation effort will fail.