248 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



five pounds in weight/ This settled the point, and 

 I decided to have two men and a chance to reach 

 grounds where we might hope for heavier fish. 



One of the men was waiting for us next morning 

 to carry what we desired to take with us and to 

 show the way to the boat. He was a sandy-haired, 

 ruddy-faced man, in the prime of hfe, and a picture 

 of strength as he strode towards us with a Scottish 

 gillie's gait. He appeared very Scottish, yet there was 

 something wanting in the face and something there not 

 to be expected, and I wondered what it was until he 

 spoke, when I knew that Scottish solemn readiness 

 for seriousness was absent and Irish preparedness for 

 mirth much in evidence. This was Mike. 



Now for Anthony, known as Tony, our second 

 boatman. I sometimes fancy that it would be better 

 if I was not so quick to see things out of line, a petti- 

 coat too long, a coat collar high, horses badly paired 

 for work, and other animals not doing well in double 

 harness; but then there's the fun to balance this 

 which I could not do without; it is so good to laugh, 

 be it never so quietly. Being thus observant, I have 

 often had to say, 'Well ! I never,' and, 'Did you 

 ever?' and now I have to say I never saw a pair of 

 rowers so opposite in every v/ay as manned the boat 

 we fished from at Carna. 



Anthony was hauling at a rope with his back to- 

 wards us when I saw him first, and, thinking he was 

 a thin slip of a boy, I asked Mike where his mate was, 

 and got reply, 'That's Tony, sorr, hoisting the sail.' 



I looked forward again, and then at the speaker, and 

 I could see in fancy this strong man rowing circles 

 round the oar worked by the boy, whose outline from 

 where we walked was little thicker than a chalked 

 hne with an O upon it. I suppose I was looking grieved 

 over my mislaid plans, for Harry glanced at me and 

 then dropped behind to laugh. It was not until I saw 

 this strange figure's face and heard its voice that 



