SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 243 



at seeing my honest servant cooking a joint of lamb. From that 

 moment bright visions of an eatable dinner gladdened my inner 

 man, and the contents of the creel were committed to his care 

 without fear of their being larded with turf ash or saturated with 

 peat smoke. 



As the shades of evening fell over mountain and moor, the first 

 course appeared. Father Ned blessed the fish, flesh, and fowl, 

 though the latter was iion est. In sober converse we saw the stars 

 come forth, and ere I bade the simple priest good night, the moon 

 was high in heaven to light two belated travellers along the solitary 

 road. 



" I forgot to say, master, that the mistress bade me tell you she 

 hoped you'd be home by half -past nine." 



This message was rather superfluous, seeing it was near eleven 

 before our adieux were made, and long past that hour ere I lost 

 sight of Father Ned's dark figure standing on the crest of the hill, 

 as he watched his heretical friend fade slowly away into the 

 darkness. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



Donegal ^We lodge by the Castle A Morning Walk to Mount Cliarles The 

 River Strong Run after the Netting Season The Blacksmith attends our 

 Summons A ministering Angel Return in a Deluge, and, the lost One 

 being found, the Bells are set a-ringing ! 



September 30. 

 I WONDEB whether all jackdaws are as matinal as those which reside 

 in the town of Donegal ; if so, I trust no gentleman fond of lying in 

 bed after dawn will lodge as close to a colony of those very early 

 birds as we did. Our situation, however, had some advantages, 

 which shall be duly set forth for the benefit of those who may come 

 after. 



B 2 



