Detachments however were sent which infested the rear of the blockading army, cut off supplies, and, on one occasion, carried away the horses of three entire troops of cavalry, [244] Still the line of posts which surrounded Londonderry by land remained unbroken.

The river was still strictly closed and guarded.

Within the walls the distress had become extreme.

So early as the eighth of June horseflesh was almost the only meat which could be purchased; and of horseflesh the supply was scanty.

It was necessary to make up the deficiency with tallow; and even tallow was doled out with a parsimonious hand.
On the fifteenth of June a gleam of hope appeared.