, father?"

"I should not care much, Walter, so that it was one man. I had rather
have any soldier you might take at random from our army, so that he
possessed a fair share of common sense, than the chaos which now
prevails; but, of course, the man whom we would rather have is Sarsfield.
Whether he is a great general or not, we have no means of knowing, for he
has never yet had the slightest opportunity of showing it; but I do not
think, myself, that he has made the most of what chances he has had, save
that one dash against the artillery convoy. He has done nothing; and, as
the cavalry are under his command, and he could, if he chose, snap his
fingers at the pretensions of the French and act independently, I think
he might have done far more than he has done. Still, he is our most
prominent leader, and he possesses the confidence of the Irish of all
classes. If he were in supreme command there would, I am sure, be a
complete change in our tactics. Instead of waiting everywhere to be
attacked, we should take the offensive, and, even if we were unable to
meet William's forces in pitched battles, and I believe that we are
perfectly capable of doing so, we should be able to harass and exhaust
them, to such a point that William would be only too glad to grant us any
terms we might demand, to bring the war to an end."

After having dined, Captain Davenant went with Walter to call upon Mrs.
Conyers. Hearing that he was about to march with his troop to Cork, Mrs.
Conyers said:

"Oh, Captain Davenant, will you not take us under your protection there?
I am afraid of travelling with Claire to Galway, in the present disturbed
state of the country, and I should find it easier to take a passage to
England from Cork than from Galway."

"You certainly would, Mrs. Conyers. There is no formal war between
England and Ireland, and trading vessels still ply between Cork and
Bristol. I agree with you that it would not be safe for two Protestant
ladies to travel, without protection, from here to Galway, and I shall be
only too glad for you to journey with us. Your daughter, I know, can ride
any of the country ponies; and for yourself--"

"I can ride, too, if there is an occasion. One of our horses is perfectly
quiet, and I have often ridden him by the side of Mr. Conyers, so there
will be no difficulty on that score."

"In that case," Captain Davenant said, "consider the matter as arranged.
Will you be ready to start tomorrow, early?"