218 A YEAB OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



element had done its work effectually, leaving nothing but discoloured 

 walls and blasted earth. The scene grew more and more wild 

 as we advanced ; bleak and sterile mountains without a trace of 

 cultivation ; dark valleys and tracts of morass dripping from the 

 recent rains ; whilst from every hollow, rivulets blackened with bog- 

 water dashed across the road and threatened to stop our farther 

 progress. Below lay Clew Bay, with its many islets decking the 

 sparkhng waters. Beyond rose the Eeek, its lofty cone catching 

 the light clouds as they drifted from the ocean. Far in the distance 

 towered the highland ranges of Connemara, with the twelve pins of 

 Bunabola, and the bold cliffs of Clare Island ; whilst before us 

 stretched the Atlantic, rolling onwards to the beach with a long 

 and measured swell. 



Making sweet music on the lonely shore. 



^' Here's the place," observed our driver, pulling up suddenly before 

 a cabin situated on the edge of the bog at a little distance from the 

 road. " Here's the hotel, and the best, too, any way from this to 

 Belturbet." 



Now, Belturbet lay some thirty-two miles off, and in declaring Pat's 

 the best hospitium within that space, Mr. O'Boyle for once spoke the 

 truth, for it was the only one. 



Leaning against the door was a slight active peasant, with a 

 round bullet-shaded head, close curling hair, and eyes as quick 

 and wandering as ever shone in human orbits. If Pat be not the 

 most restless spirit in creation, there is no reliance to be placed 

 on eyes. 



Well aware, from the rapid rise and fall of the waters of Tyi-ena, 

 that if we expected sport we must remain on the ground and take 

 advantage of every shower, we decided on securing such accommo- 

 dation as Pat's domicile afforded. The exterior of the cottage 

 certainly did not promise much. The kitchen was a fair sample of 

 those usually found in the better class of Mayo farmhouses ; on the 

 lime-ash floor children were playing and pigs sleeping ; moreover, 

 there were ducks, geese, and fowls, two cats, an outdoor farm boy, 



