Ralph enjoyed the novelty of the march, but was not sorry when at the end of the second day's tramp they reached the village.

The men were quartered in the houses of the villagers, and the officers took rooms at the inn.

Except when engaged in expeditions to capture stills--of which they succeeded in finding nearly a score--there was not much to do at Ballyporrit.

All the gentry resident within a wide circle called upon them, and invitations to dinners and dances flowed in rapidly.

As one officer was obliged to remain always in the village with the detachment, Ralph seldom availed himself of these invitations.