240 A YEAR or LIBERTY ; OR, 



about the trolling apparatus fastened to tlie belaying pin of the main 

 sheet. Soon, however, the stanch little cutter once more came to 

 the surface, made rapid stem way, paused in this unusual mode of 

 progression, filled, forged ahead, and then, obeying some unseen 

 force, was whirled round and round, and once more descended 

 towards the locker of Mr. Davy Jones'. The Dolphin had indeed got 

 a freight, but whether she would ever come safe to port was quite 

 another question. The storm still raged, though with diminished 

 fury ; partial plunges succeeded perfect immersion ; slowly and 

 gradually the boat drifted towards the opposite shore, bearing her 

 exhausted prize with her. And now a general race commenced; the 

 ardour of the boys would not be restrained, and by the time we got 

 round the lake and neared the scene of action they were a hundred 

 yards ahead and beyond all control. I was, however, able to see the 

 Dolphin on her beam ends in about five inches of water, and could 

 distinguish the form of a heavy fish lying on his side a couple of 

 feet or so to windward, when the leading urchin dashed at his boat 

 and gave a desperate heave. There was a momentary splash, and 

 then the youthful angler received his first lesson, and experienced 

 his first piscatorial disappointment. From the little I saw, I con- 

 jectured the fish to be between 111b. and 121b., but whether a ferox, 

 salmon, or overgrown brown trout, was beyond my power to decide. 

 That night I asked for my bill, intending an early start on the 

 following morning ; and deem it simply an act of justice to declare 

 that one dormitory only figured in the account. 



It was not yet eight o'clock when the car crawled slowly up the 

 incline from the bridge of Tyrena towards Pat's hospitium. Near 

 the summit was a dark stout figure which we knew well. 



"You had better ask Father Ned to dinner," remarked Madame, 

 " and I will send you something out from Newport." 



The kind and simple priest was a favourite with us all. Warm, 

 though brief, was the greeting, and, as the carriage rolled on, the 

 good father and myself turned in to seek some breakfast before going 

 to the brook for the last time. 



There had been a little rain during the night, sufficient at least to 



