So, for three days and nights, the people within and without fasted and prayed.

On the third day, a messenger arrived from King James at Dublin, ordering General Rosen at once to let the people depart.
The indignation, among the Irish gentlemen in the camp, at Rosen's brutal order had been unbounded, and messenger after messenger had been sent to Dublin, where the news excited a burst of indignation, and James at once countermanded the order of the general.

The gates were opened now, and the people flocked out and exchanged greetings with their friends.

A few able-bodied men in the crowd entered the town, to share in its defence, while a considerable number of the women and children from within mingled with them, and moved away through the lines of the besiegers.
John had, the day before, gone out when the gates were opened for the preachers, and at night had again safely made the passage to the mouth of the river and back.

He found the lantern burning among the bushes, and two kegs placed beside it, with a bountiful meal of bread and meat for himself.
So the days went on, each day lessening the number of the inhabitants of the town.