Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/356

322 ''Mills; and then, as Poyer himself confesses, they are all undone. We made an attempt to storm him, about ten days since; but our ladders were too short, and the breach so as men could not get over. We lost a few men; but I am confident the Enemy lost more. Captain Flower, of Colonel Dean’s Regiment, was wounded; and Major Grigg’s Lieutenant and Ensign slain; Captain Burges hes wounded, and very sick. I question not, but within a fortnight we shall have the Town; “and” Poyer hath engaged himself to the Officers of the Town, Not to keep the Castle longer than the Town can hold out. Neither indeed can he; for we can take away his water in two days, by beating down a staircase, which goes into a cellar where he hath a well. They allow the men half-a-pound of beef, and as much bread a-day; but it is almost spent.''

''We much rejoice at what the Lord hath done for you in Kent. Upon our thanksgiving for that victory, which was both from Sea and Leaguer, Poyer told his men, that it was the Prince, “Prince Charles and his revolted Ships,” coming with relief: The other night they mutinied in the Town. Last night we fired divers houses; which “fire” runs up the Town still: it much frights them. Confident I am, we shall have it in Fourteen days, by starving. I am, Sir, your servant,'' OLIVER CROMWELL.

Precisely in about ‘Fourteen days’ a new attempt was made, not without some promising results, but again ineffectual. ‘The Guns are not come from Bristol, for want of wind’; and against hunger and short scaling-ladders Poyer is stubborn. Three days after this Letter to Lenthall, some three weeks since the siege began, here is another, to Major Saunders.