All the avenues leading to the city by land were closely guarded.

On the south were encamped, along the left bank of the Foyle, the horsemen who had followed Lord Galmoy from the valley of the Barrow.

Their chief was of all the Irish captains the most dreaded and the most abhorred by the Protestants.

For he had disciplined his men with rare skill and care; and many frightful stories were told of his barbarity and perfidy.

Long lines of tents, occupied by the infantry of Butler and O'Neil, of Lord Slane and Lord Gormanstown, by Nugent's Westmeath men, by Eustace's Kildare men, and by Cavanagh's Kerry men, extended northward till they again approached the water side, [210] The river was fringed with forts and batteries which no vessel could pass without great peril.