WOMAN AND CTJKRAGH. 107 



The multitude of lambs lost by these depredators, has nearly 

 deterred the islanders from keeping ewes ; and there is 

 not a spot in Great Britain so persecuted by winged and 

 footed vermin as this wild district. Of smaller birds of prey, 

 there is a plentiful variety ; but the devastations of the greater 

 tribe cause their minor larcenies to be unnoticed. 



With a light leading breeze, we stood across the bay, 



passed the Island of Devilawn, and, running through^gfc 

 which separates Tarmon from Inniskea, came t6Teu|pV dis- 

 tance of a quarter of a mile from the landing-place. It was 

 low water, and the boats were all hauled up upon the beach. 

 Even in the calmest weather, the greatest caution is requisite 

 to protect them from the heavy and sudden swells that 

 eternally break on this wild coast; and, if left within the 

 reach of the surf, they are frequently stove before the careless 

 crew are aware of danger. Anxious to land, we fired a gun, 

 and, being upon an excellent bank for spillet-fishing, the 

 boatmen adjusted their buoys, and commenced throwing their 

 lines overboard. 



I was watching the progress made by a dozen of the 

 islanders to launch a row-boat to the water, when suddenly, 

 from beneath the opposite cliff, a floating substance appeared 

 to issue from the side of the precipice. We had neared the 

 shore considerably, and the object, of which I had previously 

 but an indistinct view, was now more clearly seen. It was 

 a woman sitting in a curragh, fishing for codling and gunners. 

 Startled by the discharge of the musket, she pulled a short 

 distance from the cliffs, and then lay-to upon her paddles, 

 watching the hooker as she shot the spillets. 



" These lazy lubbers will be half an hour getting that heavy 

 row-boat across the sand-ridge," said my kinsman. "Hail 

 the curragh, Pattigo, and let us get ashore." 



To the shout of the skipper, a " cead fealtagh/' was 

 returned ; the paddles dipped in the water, the light curragh 

 skimmed over the surface like a sea-bird, and in a few minutes 

 the female and her frail bark were rocking beneath the counter 

 of the sailing-boat. 



raised, from three shillings and sixpence to a guinea ; a sum so great in 

 this part of the world," adds the Doctor, " that in a short time Sky may 

 be as free from foxes as England from wolves." The fund for tiiesa 

 rewards is a tax of sixpence in the pound, imposed by the farmers oil 

 themselves, and said to be paid with great willingness. 



