Kings of the Boyne Read Online Free PDF

truth, Robert did not trust Daniel, not really, although it was not something he’d had to consider before his promotion. But he was a corporal now and hoped to make sergeant one day. As far as he was concerned, it was best to be safe. Where possible, he would supervise his little brother until he felt Daniel has earned his trust. However, he could not confess this aloud. Therefore he fibbed, telling Daniel, ‘We’re to travel in pairs in case there are any Jacobites hanging around.’
    They walked along in companionable silence. For now, the rain had stopped and the clouds seemed impatient to shed their wintry shades of wearisome grey. Daniel could hear plenty of rustling in the undergrowth and wondered whose day they were intruding upon: a stoat, a hedgehog or maybe just a plain old rat.
    The winding road was dimpled with puddles, varying in size and depth while the trees were budding with the promise of new life. Robert breathed in deeply. The reverend had told them they were in County Down, in other words a long way from Derry.
    ‘This time last year …’ said Robert.
    He didn’t have to say anything else. Daniel understood his brother was comparing their present surroundings with being cooped up for three miserable months behind thewalls of Derry, simultaneously feeling safe and imprisoned while the Jacobites pounded the city with bombs and bullets. Their every waking moment was dominated by a fierce hunger that would not leave them. It was that hunger that drove the people of Derry to eat candlesticks, mice, grass … having first devoured their beloved pets. Daniel did not like to dwell on it.
    Instead he focused on the good things. Surviving the siege meant that they might always appreciate afternoons like this, following a road to God knows where and never forgetting to be grateful for the freedom to do so.
    ‘Aha!’ said Robert suddenly. ‘Do you see what I see?’
    Daniel followed his brother’s gaze and saw, in the distance, a farmer ploughing his field with not one but two horses.
    ‘Well done, Corporal Sherrard!’
    ‘Why thank you, Private Sherrard. Shall we?’
    Robert led the way; they left the road behind and strode through the wet grass that squeaked beneath their feet.
    ‘Do you think he’ll mind?’ asked Daniel.
    Robert shook his head. ‘The people here are loyal to William. They’ll probably consider it an honour to assist him.’
    To the right of the field, they saw a thatched cottage, guessing it to be the farmer’s home. It was modest in size;a thin line of smoke drifted from the chimney. Just outside the open door, they could see children playing. An older-looking girl was bent over a tub of clothes, prodding them with a stick. She was the first to see the two soldiers approaching.
    Instinctively, Daniel raised his arm in acknowledgement but then changed his mind and brought it down again.
    ‘Whatever are you doing?’ asked his brother.
    Daniel replied, ‘Well, we’re too far away to greet them, and they should know that we mean them no harm.’
    Robert laughed. ‘They’ll know soon enough. Besides, the only one we need to talk to is him.’
    At last, the farmer had spotted them and stood, waiting for their approach. He fished out a large, red handkerchief and proceeded to mop his face and the back of his neck. The horses flicked their tails and stared off into space or maybe they were concentrating on the green grass in the next field and wishing it was nearer.
    ‘Now, leave this to me!’ Robert was taking his position of corporal seriously.
    Daniel was going to protest but knew there was no point. He had long ago learned that if Robert wanted to be in charge of something, it was best to let him be.
    ‘Good day to you, sir!’ Robert’s voice was hale and hearty. ‘We bring you greetings from King William himself.’
    Daniel rubbed the ear that his brother had virtually bellowed into and looked ahead of him.
    And looked again.
    No. It couldn’t be.
    Oblivious to