PREFACE. 



of Australasia ; and where, excepting some adventurous 

 grouse-shooter, none had viewed its highlands or mingled 

 with its inhabitants, 



That the scenic and personal sketches are faithful, the 

 reader is assured ; some were written on the spot, and 

 others traced from vivid recollection. Those with whom 

 the author shot these wild moors, or fished these waters, 

 will best estimate the fidelity of the descriptions; and 

 one valued friend, though now beneath another sun, will 

 probably recall the days he spent by " fell and flood," and 

 bring to memory those light and joyous hours when he 

 caroused in a mountain bivouac, and rested in a moorland 

 hut. 



Of the actors in the following scenes, some are still 

 living, while others are no more. The Colonel, that best 

 and honestest of boon companions, sleeps with his fathers ; 

 and old John and the Otter- killer have gone the way of 

 all flesh. The priest, " mine honoured friend," I rejoice 

 to say, is still healthy and vigorous; in his wild but 

 happy retirement he holds " the noiseless teiiour of his 

 way," exercises hospitality most liberally to the stranger, 

 and throws forty feet of silk and hair better than any 

 artist in the empire. Last of the " dramatis personse," 

 Hennessey is in full force, and " mutato nomine" may 

 still be found in Ballycroy. 



With regard to the tales and legends narrated in the | 

 succeeding pages, the former were told just as they are | 

 introduced. " The Blind Seal" is known to be substan- 

 tially true I have heard it from many, and never knew 

 its veracity impugned. My lamented friend was himself 

 the principal actor in " the Night Attack ;" and he, poor 

 fellow, was exactly the man who, in an affray or a carouse, 



