98 SLIEVE MORE. 



passed us with the velocity of a race-horse. The airy motion 

 of this " light shalloop" as she glided through the water, 

 might to the fancy of a poet, present a similitude of that 

 imaginary bark, in which the spirits of departed mariners 

 are seen flitting over the dark billows beneath which their 

 bodies rest. 



Having weathered the Ridge Point, we made a signal for a 

 rowing-boat, and one immediately came off. Our boatmen, 

 having ascertained by their landmarks that they were upon 

 clean ground, prepared to shoot their spillets. We left them, 

 taking with us our dogs and attendants, and landed on a small 

 sandy beach. 



Having established our head-quarters in the watch-house of 

 the coast-guard, and procured an adjoining cabin for the suite, 

 we set out to look for grouse, taking a westerly direction along 

 the base of Slieve More. Deceived by the false report of the vil- 

 lagers, we found the beat we had chosen neither a pleasant nor 

 productive one. The heath was short and withered, the side of the 

 mountain unsheltered, and exposed to the severe and almost 

 eternal west wind : and, with the exception of a very few banks 

 beside the water- courses, and one or two natural ravines, 

 there was not a spot in which a grouse could shelter. In these 

 hollows we generally found a stager* and in one rugged dell 

 shot three old cocks. Contrary to their general caution they 

 stood the dogs well, or, from the short cover and stunted heath, 

 had the weather been wet and the birds wary, it would have 

 been almost impossible to have approached them.f The 

 peasants, while looking after cattle and cutting peats upon the 



* An old cock grouse which has not paired. 



f Against running after grouse I uplift my voice. If they are wild, 

 and will not stand or sit, a commonplace occurrence in wet cold weather, 

 I would recommend gentlemen to remain at home. If circumstances 

 bring them to the moors, or they are particularly solicited (as. I have 

 often been) to procure birds, let them depend on close-marking-, tie up 

 every dog but the steadiest one, and quietly, patiently, and silently 

 endeavour to come within range of their object. If the bird moves, then 

 to out-flank him is the best chance. Take a considerable circuit, and the 

 more apparent carelessness you show in striving to close with a wild 

 grouse, the more likely you will be to succeed. If the bird observes 

 any hurry in the approach of the shooter, he will take alarm instantly, 

 and an immediate flight will slusw that he has been perfectly on the 



