The Merry Past 



On hunting days Tim had always to be helped into 

 the saddle ; but when he once was there, and his 

 " morning " (a stiff glass of whisky, which the Squire 

 administered in person) tucked into him, he was 

 " by the powers, a disperate fiUow all out intirely." 



He seemed, indeed, to have joined the field for 

 no other purpose than spanking a one-eyed, cock- 

 tailed " chisnut " mare — more like a deer than a 

 horse — over every break-neck thing that could come 

 in his way, to the interminable delight and appro- 

 bation of the Ould Squire and his sons. 



As a huntsman Tim had won the sincere regard of 

 the Squire. He had broken almost every one of his 

 bones in desperate falls, but was still the " bouldest " 

 horseman in all Ireland. 



63 



