SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 37 



then lie returned, soon gained practical skill, got into good company, 

 was often beaten but never disheartened, and during the next four- 

 teen or fifteen years held up his head with the best, and made a bag 

 as good as any of them. 



In conclusion, gentlemen, let me commend our friend's example to 

 your notice, and advise you to follow it. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



I go, but under protest Cummeragh River Distant View of the Inny Lakes 

 Certain Local Matters the Reader ought to know Ogham Inscriptions 

 Limerick The Old Hookmaker Doonass How we got to Sligo. 



March 24. Waterville. 

 Yesterday I promised to leave ; to-day I vowed to depart ; well, 

 there is no faith in man. But, indeed and indeed, I will positively 

 go to-morrow, though under protest. The lake promises excellent 

 sport for the next month to come. Could I follow my own inclina- 

 tions, not a step would I stir ; but there you are, my dear friend, 

 grimly shaking your paper-knife at a poor fellow, and saying in an 

 awful voice, which makes me tremble all over : " Halloa, you sir, 

 what are you loitering about for ? Come, be quick, move on, do you 

 hear?" Well, if we must, we must; but if all the bobbies in 

 Christendom are after me, to-day I will go to Cummeragh. 



There was rain yesterday in the mountains, and the water is of 

 the true coffee colour ; so, if there be but a couple of salmon in the 

 river, we shall be pretty sure of one. 



The Cummeragh, as I remarked in a former chapter, is the chief 

 feeder of Currane. It is a short river, merely the connecting link 

 between the lakes. The best part of it does not exceed a mile or a 

 mile and a half, of which the first half is rocky, and the second 

 a dismal swamp. 



Tim, Willie, and I pulled to the head of the lake, drew the boat 



