We must ride for it, like the rest." By morning, the Irish cavalry was scattered all over the country, and it was not for two or three days that they again assembled in regiments, presenting a sorry sight, the greater part having lost saddles and accoutrements of every kind.

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.
One day when, with his little band, he was halting at a village, some ten miles in rear of the camp, a peasant ran in.
"A party of their horse have just seized some carts laden with potatoes at Kilcowan, and are driving them off.

The boys are mustering to attack them on their way back." "It is too bad," Walter exclaimed.