SALMON ANftLINQ IN IRELAND. 31 



"the libation," or grace cup. Although stoutly resisting such 

 heathen practices, on the present occasion I could hardly do so, as 

 to-day partook of the nature of a festival, not wholly unlike the 

 dies Jest i, on which Adams informs us '' there was a general cessation 

 of business." 



When the funeral rites were duly solemnised, and the baits once 

 more spinning over the quarters of the boat, it was getting late, and 

 little chance of further sport remained. Still the spirits of my crew 

 did not flag, so we worked steadily homewards, and thought ourselves 

 veiy fortunate in landing another small fish of 81b. 



If in the morning John marched in the van like a hero to battle, 

 you may be sure he held the post of honour when returning 

 victorious. 



At the landing-place bright eyes awaited our return. As a matter 

 of course, my faithful follower walked up to his mistress. 



"Come, Willie," she said, "turn out the bag. Ah! three nice 

 fish 91b., 111b., and 81b." And so ended our first day on Lough 

 Currane. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Waterville Derrynane Spring Equinox Below Bridge Lake in Summer 

 The Coach before the Horses "Maiden Trout" Qualms of Conscience- 

 Experience. 



During the succeeding week the weather continued fine, and, for 

 the season, reasonably mild ; so our excursions on the lake met with 

 no interruption, and we worked all day and every day with infinite 

 gusto. The year was above the average, and the sport, for a 

 moderate-minded man, excellent, our worst day being two clean 

 fish, and our best five. If to this the usual quota of brown trout 

 be added, X think we had sufficient reason to be s?itisf;ed, which, 



