It was a letter from Kirke, and contained assurances of speedy relief.

But more than a fortnight of intense misery had since elapsed; and the hearts of the most sanguine were sick with deferred hope.

By no art could the provisions which were left be made to hold out two days more, [252] Just at this time Kirke received a despatch from England, which contained positive orders that Londonderry should be relieved.

He accordingly determined to make an attempt which, as far as appears, he might have made, with at least an equally fair prospect of success, six weeks earlier, [253] Among the merchant ships which had come to Lough Foyle under his convoy was one called the Mountjoy.

The master, Micaiah Browning, a native of Londonderry, had brought from England a large cargo of provisions.