Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/355

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is his first Letter from before the place: a rugged rapid despatch, with some graphic touches in it, and rather more of hope than the issue realised. Guns of due quality are not to be had. In the beginning of June, ‘Hugh Peters’ went across to Milford Haven, and from the Lion, a Parliament Ship riding there, got ‘two drakes, two demi-culverins, and two whole culverins,’ and safely conveyed them to the Leaguer; with which new implements an instantaneous essay was made, and a ‘storming’ thereupon followed, but without success.—Of ‘the Prince,’ Prince Charles and his revolted ships, of the ‘victory in Kent’ and what made it needful, we shall have to speak anon.

1em

''Sir,—All that you can expect from hence is a relation of the state of this Garrison of Pembroke. Which is briefly thus:''

''They begin to be in extreme want of provision, so as in all probability they cannot live a fortnight without being starved. But we hear that they mutinied about three days since; cried out, ‘Shall we be ruined for two or three men’s pleasure? Better it were we should throw them over the walls.’ It’s certainly reported to us that within four or six days they’ll cut Poyer’s throat, and come all away to us. Poyer told them, Saturday last, that if relief did not come by Monday night, they should no more believe him, nay they should hang him.''

''We have not got our Guns and Ammunition from Wallingford as yet; but, however, we have scraped up a few, which stand us in very good stead. Last night we got two little guns planted, which in Twenty-four hours will take away their''