96 PREPARATIONS FOR EMBARKATION. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Preparations for visiting Achil Embarkation and passage to Dugurth 

 Fishing Sea-fowl shooting Meeting the lugger Picturesque ap- 

 pearance of the vessel Our landing Coast-guard watch-house 

 Slieve More Grouse scarce Rabit-shooting Interior of the watch- 

 house Culinary proceedings The Dutchman Morning, and a 

 headache A sea-bath The eagle's aerie Curious anecdote of these 

 birds Grouse-shooting Demolition of a pack Rock-fishing 

 Dangerous employment Fatal accident John Dory A temperate 

 evening. 



FOR three days it has continued raining and blowing 

 violently. We fortunately abandoned the mountain-hut, on 

 noticing the unpromising state of the weather, before the 

 flood rose to a height aspect would have insulated us in the 

 hills. We have determined on an excursion into Achil, 

 and wait impatiently until the wind and clouds give some 

 indications of amendment. The moon enters her second 

 quarter to-night, and we trust her ladyship's influence may 

 mitigate the unusual severity of the weather. 



This morning my servant's report was favourable ; the sky 

 looked settled, the wind blew from the north-west, and old 

 Antony was satisfied with the prognostics. My cousin was 

 already a-foot, and his voice at my window loudly summoned 

 me to " turn-out." I opened the curtains the sun was 

 shining, as if he intended to keep a fair face throughout the 

 day, and there was a cheerful bustle in front of the Lodge 

 which gave " note of preparation." The main-sail of the 

 hooker was already chalk up and shivering in the morning 

 breeze; and the boatmen, sitting on the grass before the 

 window, were preparing lines and baiting spillets. The piper 

 looked on, stretching one arm lazily out, while with the 

 other he hitched up the waistband of his unmentionables; 

 and frequent visits of the dog-boy to the kennel, showed 

 that both bipeds and quadrupeds would be shortly in requi- 

 sition. Hammocks, hampers, and gun -cases, were subsequently 

 embarked, and about eight o'clock we had finished our 

 dejeuner and committed our persons and fortunes to the 

 waves. 



Never was there a lovelier day or wilder scenery ; after 

 we had cleared the river and opened the bay, a view of 



