These
consisted of rabbit and pieces of beef, boiled up with potatoes and
onions. A large jug filled with water, and a bottle of spirits were
placed in the centre, with the horn which Walter had before used beside
it.
"We are short of crockery," the man said with a laugh. "Here are some
knives, but as for forks, we just have to do without them."
Walter enjoyed his meal immensely. After it was finished, the wooden
platters were removed, and the jug replenished.
"Now, your honour, will you tell us how you got away from the Protestant
rebels, and how was it they didn't make short work of you, when they
caught you? It's a puzzle to us entirely, for the Enniskilleners spare
neither man, woman, nor child."
Walter related the whole circumstances of his capture, imprisonment, and
escape.
"You fooled them nicely," the man said, admiringly. "Sure your honour's
the one to get out of a scrape--and you little more than a boy."
"And what are you doing here?" Walter asked, in return. "This seems a
wild place to live in."
"It's just that," the man said. "We belonged to Kilbally. The
Enniskilleners came that way, and burned it to the ground. They murdered
my wife and many another one. I was away cutting peat with my wife's
brother here.
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