“No, indeed, madam, I certainly should not have made your house a battlefield.  The fact is, our fortunate arrival is due entirely to my son.  He made all the arrangements, without my knowing anything about it.  He sent over his boy to one of your lads in the stable, and arranged that, if there should be any trouble in the house in the absence of Mr. Conyers, he should run down and signal across the river.  Your daughter’s maid was to let the boy know what was going on within.  It was not till he had the whole business in train, that Walter told me anything about it.  As it was his plan and not mine, and I could see he was extremely anxious about it, I left the matter in his hands, and authorized him to lead the first party across whenever the signal was made, night or day.  Our boats would only carry twenty-five men, and four of these had to return with them.  As Walter would have but a quarter of our force with him, I ordered him, in case the signal was made and he crossed, not to attack until I joined him, unless the necessity seemed very urgent.  I suppose he considered it was so, for he would hardly have fallen upon some eighty or ninety troopers, unless he had deemed it most urgent.”

“Thank God he did so!” Mrs. Conyers said, “for we owe him our lives, and more.  I cannot tell you all now.  It is too horrible to think of.  But I shall never forget the thankfulness and joy I felt, when suddenly I heard the noise of shouts and firing, and the men who were trying to tear my child from my arms suddenly desisted and, rushing out of the room, left us alone.  I fainted then, and knew nothing more till I heard, in a confused way, the sound of shouting and conflict, and Claire was bending over me, telling me that your son was holding the stairs against the Germans, and that he was expecting help to arrive every moment.

“Where is he?  I long to see him, and give him my thanks and blessing.”

“He is in that cottage yonder, which is at present our quarters,” Captain Davenant said.  “I told them to send off a trooper to Limerick, for a doctor, as soon as they got across.”

“But you assured me his wound was not dangerous,” Mrs. Conyers said anxiously.

“No, I am sure it is not.  It is a severe wound, but not likely to have serious consequences.  But I fear that some of the men are in a far worse condition.”

“I shall install myself as head nurse,” Mrs. Conyers said, decidedly.  “We owe so much to you all, that that is the least I can do.”

“Very well, Mrs. Conyers.  Then I appoint you head of the hospital.  I will have the four seriously wounded men moved into the cottage next to mine.  You will be able to obtain plenty of assistance among the women of the village.  O’Moore and I will move into other quarters, and leave the cottage to you and your daughter.  Your servants can have the cottage on the other side.”

They had now reached the door.

“I will just go in and see him first,” Captain Davenant said.