The little friar declared, that he had been in too great fear during the siege to know much of what was going forward, except that he had been conscious during the last few days of a lamentable deficiency of provisions, and had been present that very morning at the broaching of the last butt of sack.

Harpiton groaned in sympathy.

The little friar added, that he knew nothing of what had passed since till he heard the flames roaring at his elbow.
"Take him away, Harpiton," said the prince, "fill him with sack, and turn him out." "Never mind the sack," said the little friar, "turn me out at once." "A sad chance," said Harpiton, "to be turned out without sack." But what Harpiton thought a sad chance the little friar thought a merry one, and went bounding like a fat buck towards the abbey of Rubygill.
An arrow, with a letter attached to it, was shot into the camp, and carried to the prince.

The contents were these:-- "Prince John,--I do not consider myself to have resisted lawful authority in defending my castle against you, seeing that you are at present in a state of active rebellion against your liege sovereign Richard: and if my provisions had not failed me, I would have maintained it till doomsday.

As it is, I have so well disposed my combustibles that it shall not serve you as a strong hold in your rebellion.