George Monck was governor of Ulster for the Parliament. Being deserted by the Scots under Sir Robert Stewart and Sir George Monro, he found it hard to maintain himself, but he was able to victual Londonderry, Coleraine, Greencastle, and Lisburn. He himself lay at Dundalk, where he feared to be attacked on all sides. To keep O'Neill from joining with Ormonde was therefore his chief object. Sooner or later O'Neill would have had to accept the Lord Lieutenant's overtures, for he was entirely cut off from the sea and had no other means of replenishing his stock of powder. Monck, who knew that help was coming from England, resolved to give the necessary powder on condition of an offensive and defensive alliance for three months, during which O'Neill bound himself to make no terms with Ormonde or Inchiquin or with any opponent of the Parliament. Each of these two silent men, who were soldiers and not politicians, thought the preservation of his army the first object. O'Neill was responsible to no one; but Monck took the precaution of reporting all he had done to Cromwell, who would understand the military argument, and see that political prudery was out of place in the midst of war. The immediate result of the treaty was to reduce the activity of the Scots by whom Londonderry was beset. Later on Coote followed Monck's example, and O'Neill's help enabled him to hold out until relief came from England. Ormonde, on the other hand, drove O'Neill out of Leinster, Maryborough, Athy, and other garrisons being taken by Castlehaven during the month of May.[140] [Sidenote: Ormonde before Dublin, June.] [Sidenote: Rupert gave no help.] [Sidenote: Inchiquin takes Drogheda, June 28.] [Sidenote: Monck gives powder to O'Neill,] [Sidenote: but Inchiquin captures it.] [Sidenote: O'Neill relieves Londonderry.]