He would entrust the most important of all posts to his tool, his spy, the wretched Maxwell, not a born Irishman, not a sincere Catholic, at best a blunderer, and too probably a traitor.
Maxwell, it was affirmed, had left his men unprovided with ammunition.
When they had applied to him for powder and ball, he had asked whether they wanted to shoot larks.

Just before the attack he had told them to go to their supper and to take their rest, for that nothing more would be done that day.

When he had delivered himself up a prisoner, he had uttered some words which seemed to indicate a previous understanding with the conquerors.

The Lord Lieutenant's few friends told a very different story.

According to them, Tyrconnel and Maxwell had suggested precautions which would have made a surprise impossible.