Messengers were sent with pressing letters to summon the Protestant gentry of the vicinage to the rescue; and the summons was gallantly obeyed.

In a few hours two hundred foot and a hundred and fifty horse had assembled.

Tyrconnel's soldiers were already at hand.
They brought with them a considerable supply of arms to be distributed among the peasantry.

The peasantry greeted the royal standard with delight, and accompanied the march in great numbers.

The townsmen and their allies, instead of waiting to be attacked, came boldly forth to encounter the intruders.