THE DROWNED SHEPHERD. 



67 



isolated family. The welcome news of the arrival of succours 

 at Bally croy at length reached them, and the herdsman set out 

 to procure some of the committee-meal to relieve the hunger of 

 his half-starved family. 



" On arriving at the depot, the stock of meal was nearly 

 expended: however, he obtained a temporary supply, and 

 was comforted with the assurance that a large quantity was 

 hourly expected. 



"Anxious to bring the means of sustinence to his suffering 

 little ones, the herdsman crossed the mountain with his 

 precious burden, and reached that hillock where the stones are 

 loosely piled. 



"But during his absence at Ballycroy, the rain had fallen 



heavily in the hills ; the river was no longer fordable , a 

 furious torrent of discoloured water rushed from the heights, 

 and choaked the narrow channel. There stood the returning 

 parent, within twenty paces of his wretched but dearly loved 



F 2 



