A few troops, composed of men who had been
fortunate enough to have left their horses saddled when night came on,
were sent back to Limerick. The rest drew off towards Ennis, and encamped
there until they could procure saddles and accoutrements to take the
field again.
In Captain Davenant's troop there were but six men who had saved their
saddles; and, as it would have been useless to send so small a detachment
to Limerick, these remained with the troop, and were, at Walter's
request, placed entirely at his disposal, in order that with them he
might make scouting expeditions in the enemy's rear. He had permission to
consider himself entirely on detached service, and to join any body of
rapparees he might choose; but this Walter did not care about doing, for
he had a horror of the savage acts which were perpetrated by the
irregular forces on both sides, and determined to confine himself to
watching the roads, bringing in news of any convoys which might be
traversing the country, and cutting off messengers going or returning
with despatches.
The service was one of no great danger, for parties of peasants were on
the watch, night and day; and, the instant any movement was observed,
they started off at full speed to warn all the inhabitants of the
surrounding villages to drive away their cattle, and carry off their
effects into the hills or into the heart of some neighbouring bog, where
the cavalry would not venture to penetrate.
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