On entering the place, Terence at once called upon Colonel Cox, who was in command.
"I am glad that you have come, Colonel O'Connor," the latter said.
"I know that Lord Wellington expects me to make a long defence, and to keep Massena here for at least a month but, although I mean to do my best, I cannot conceal from myself that the defences are terribly defective.

Then, too, more than half my force are newly-levied militia, in whom very little dependence can be placed.
Your men will be invaluable, in case of assault; but it is not assault I fear, so much as having the place tumbling about our ears by their artillery, which can be so placed as to command it from several points.

We are very short of artillery, and the guns are well nigh as old as the fortifications." "We will do our best, Colonel, in any direction you may point out; and I think that we could defend a breach against any reasonable force brought against it.

I may say that I have been ordered, if the worst comes to the worst, to endeavour to make my way out of the town before it surrenders." For a fortnight the place was left unmolested.

Crawford's division still kept beyond the Coa, and his cavalry had had several engagements with French reconnoitring parties.