DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 221 



and must be worth looking at when she has a sea she 

 hkes. 



The man faced round, Hfted his shaggy eyebrows, 

 and looked at me with large, blue-gray eyes that had 

 a wealth of depth which, when looked into, trans- 

 formed him; and, as I looked, I saw my point was 

 gained, and that he would take us to the mainland 

 loaded as he was. • 



I had asked before starting what I should pay 

 him, but only got for answer, 'There is a sea running 

 outside, and it may be we shall not go far, but, if I get 

 you over and can get back again, I won't be for asking 

 too much for obliging gentlemen in difficulties.' 



The sea ran high, but the little ship, in spite of 

 being full of weighty casks, lifted herself and topped 

 the waves in such a perky fashion that we were bound 

 to notice and admire her. Now and then the foaming 

 edges of one higher than the rest would hustle her 

 a bit and souse her passengers, but she kept her course 

 in such plucky fashion as told she would fetch Claggan 

 pier. 



The certainty of being freed from Inishbofin was 

 a tonic that made me gay, in spite of my having to 

 hold grimly to a rope to maintain my somewhat 

 sprawling position on the deck, and, by way of giving 

 vent to my dehght, I poked Harry's ribs \vith an 

 elbow and sang to him : — 



* A wet sheet and a flowing sea, 

 A wind that follows fast, 

 And fills the white and rustling sail, 

 And bends the gallant mast.' 



When near our destination, having in mind not 

 to delay the vessel at the pier, I asked again, 'What 

 shall I pay you, captain?* and, in reply, he stated a 

 sum which he expressed a hope would not hurt us 

 greatly. It was too small to hurt, and small enough, 

 with all else, to make me decide for the thousandth 

 time how unwise it is to judge a fellow-man too quickly. 



