72 THE BALL. 



walk this morning had been only pleasant exercise. We 

 were neither exhausted by an ardent sky, nor annoyed by 

 the dazzling glare of constant sunshine. The gnats, which 

 lately had been intolerable, had vanished, and we were thus 

 enabled to perform our ablutions in the clear and sparkling 

 river ; a feat last night impracticable, from the number and 

 virulence of the insects. He who has bathed his limbs in the 

 cool and crystal waters of a mountain- stream after a busy day 

 upon the heath, can only estimate its luxury. Twenty brace 

 of grouse, three hares, and a half score of gray plovers, was 

 the produce of our ckasse. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Ball opens Moonlight Mountain scenery Old Antony Adventure 

 with the Fairies Ball continues The otter-hunter's history Bal. 

 concludes The pater-o-pee. 



THE moon rose in great splendour over the bold chain of 

 mountains which belts the valley where we are cantoned. 

 The piper is merrily at work, for some of the peasant girls 

 have come to visit us, attracted by the joyful news that a pie- 

 beragh* was included in our suite. The fondness of these 

 mountain maidens for dancing is incredible; at times of 

 festival, on the occasion of a wedding, or dr agg ing -home, \ 

 or whenever a travelling musician passes through these wilds, 

 they assemble from prodigious distances, and dance for days 

 and nights together. 



My kinsman and I having duly executed a jig with a 

 brace of Nora Crinas, left the hut and strolled a short way 

 up the river. The quiet of " lonely night " contrasted 

 strikingly with the scene of turbulent and vivacious mirth 



* Anglice, piper. 



f " Dragging home," is the bringing the bride for the first time to her 

 husband's house. An immense mob of relatives and clevines of " both the 

 houses," are collected on the occasion, and as an awful quantity of whisky 

 must of necessity be distributed to the company, this " high solemnity" 

 seldom concludes without subjecting the host's person and property to 

 demolition. 



