150 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 42. ceived ; ' and Sussex, distracted and miserable, could only declare that the Irish council was in a conspiracy ' to keep O'Neil from falling/ l Thus February passed and March, and M'Gruyre and O'Donnell were not relieved. At last, between threats and entreaty, Sussex wrung from Ormond an unwilling acquiescence ; and on the 6th of April, with a mixed force of Irish and English, ill armed, ill supplied, dispirited and almost disloyal, Sussex set out for the north. He took but provision for three weeks with him. A vague hope was held out by the farmers that a second supply should be collected at Dundalk. The achievements of an army so composed and so commanded scarcely require to be detailed. The sole result of a winter's expensive, if worthless, preparation was thus summed up in the report from the Deputy to the Queen : 1 April 6. The army arrives at Armagh. ' April 8. We return to Newry to bring up stores and ammunition which had been left behind. 'April ii. We again advance to Armagh, where we remain waiting for the arrival of galloglasse and kerne from the Pale. 'April 14. A letter from James M'Connell, which we answer. 'April 15. The galloglasse not coming, we go upon Shan's cattle, of which we take enough to serve us ; 1 Sussex to Elizabeth, February 19 ; Sussex to the English Council, March i ; Sussex to Cecil, March i : Irish MSS. Rolls
