O'Neill could get as many men as he wanted, but arms and ammunition were not so plentiful. He succeeded, however, in equipping a force of about 1500 men during the winter. In May 1643 Monro attacked him with superior numbers near Charlemont, but without much result, though he himself fought on foot to encourage his men, calling out 'Fay, fay, run away from a wheen rebels.' A second attack some weeks later also ended in nothing, but in July O'Neill was defeated by Robert Stewart near Clones, with the loss of 150 men. Shouts of 'Whar's Macart?' showed that the great object was to capture the Irish leader, and he had a very narrow escape. O'Neill afterwards made his way to Mohill in Leitrim, where he procured a small supply of arms from Kilkenny and then encamped near Boyle. This camp was surprised in August by a small English force, and about 160 men killed and wounded, the sentries having been made drunk by Irish sutlers who brought them spirits from the neighbouring garrisons. Immediately afterwards O'Neill was ordered by the Supreme Council to join Sir James Dillon in Meath with as many men as possible. He succeeded in collecting 3000, with whom he marched across Cavan, taking castles on the way, till he came to Portlester near Trim. The castle near the ford was taken after a short cannonade, and O'Neill prepared to defend the passage of the Boyne against Lord Moore, who was approaching from Dublin with a superior force. A short fight took place, and Moore was cut in two by a cannon-ball, the gun being laid by O'Neill himself, with the assistance of a 'perspective glass.' The attempt to cross was then abandoned and the cessation was agreed to three days later.[38] [Sidenote: The King decides to negotiate, Jan. 1642-3,] [Sidenote: but is not prepared to concede much.] [Sidenote: Conference at Trim, March, 1642-3.]