He desired to get back to Versailles at any hazard, and had so inspired his officers and men with his own sentiments that there was a general cry among them to be recalled to France.

They had, indeed, no interest in the cause in which they fought.

They looked with contempt at their half-armed and half-trained allies, and they grumbled continually at the hardships which they had to undergo.

It was indeed an evil day, for King James's cause, when he exchanged Mountcashel's fine division for these useless allies, who, throughout the war, not only did no service, but were the cause of endless dissension and disaster.
As soon as King William had taken up his position in front of Limerick, he sent a summons to Boileau to surrender.

The latter consulted with Tyrconnell, Sarsfield, and some other officers, for, even to the last moment, it was a question whether the place should be defended.
At last, however, a decision was made.