“Father says, mother, that he believes next time, when we shall be no longer hampered by the interference of the king, we shall be able to make even a better fight of it, especially if, as we all hope, the French officers will follow the king’s example and take themselves off.”

“How long are you going to stay, Walter?”

“I shall stay over tomorrow, mother, and start next morning early.  I ought to be able to come up to the army before night, but, if not, I shall overtake them on the march next day.”

“I wish I was older,” Godfrey, who had been listening to the account of the battle, said.  “It is so hard to have to stay at home here, while you and father are having such fun!”

“You would not think it was fun, if you were with us, Godfrey,” Walter said.  “I used to think it would be fun, but I don’t think so now.  Just while the fighting is going on, one is so excited that one doesn’t think of the danger, but when it is over, it is awful to see the gaps in the ranks, and to know that so many of those who were riding with you have fallen, and that it may be your turn, next time.”

“Ah, it’s all very well for you to talk, Walter, because you are going through it all, but you would think just the same as I do, if you were in my place.”

“That is true enough, Godfrey.  Anyhow, I am glad you are not old enough.  I don’t mean that I should not like to have you with us, but then there would be nobody at home with mother.  Now, if anything happens to father and me, she has got you, and as you grow up you will be able to look after her, and take care of her.  It is bad enough for her having two of us in the war.  It would be worse, still, if there were three.”

As, the next evening, Walter heard that there was news that William’s troops had not yet moved from the Boyne, he thought that it was safe to take the direct road through Dublin.  He had laid aside his uniform, on reaching home, and in the morning started in his civilian clothes, with the uniform in the valise, strapped behind the saddle.  He carried his sword, as usual, for almost all gentlemen at that time rode armed, and this would therefore excite neither comment nor attention.  He carried also a brace of pistols, in a belt underneath his coat.

On arriving in Dublin, he found the greatest uproar and excitement prevailing.  Mobs of men were marching through the streets, smashing the windows of Catholics and sacking the houses.  Fortunately, he was warned, before he got into the thick of the tumult, by meeting some women running and crying loudly.  He asked what was the matter, and learned that their houses had been sacked, and that any Catholic found in the street was being beaten and ill treated.  As Walter was anxious to avoid anything which might arrest his journey westward, he made his way out of the town, as soon as possible, and was heartily glad when he reached the outskirts, and gave rein to his horse.