They had a week before prevented him from breaking a Rapparee on the wheel; and they now suggested an answer to the propositions of the enemy.

"I am a stranger here," said Ginkell; "I am ignorant of the constitution of these kingdoms; but I am assured that what you ask is inconsistent with that constitution; and therefore I cannot with honour consent." He immediately ordered a new battery to be thrown up, and guns and mortars to be planted on it.

But his preparations were speedily interrupted by another message from the city.

The Irish begged that, since he could not grant what they had demanded, he would tell them what he was willing to grant.

He called his advisers round him, and, after some consultation, sent back a paper containing the heads of a treaty, such as he had reason to believe that the government which he served would approve.
What he offered was indeed much less than what the Irish desired, but was quite as much as, when they considered their situation and the temper of the English nation, they could expect.