SEARCH FOR THE OTTER-KILLER. 



chopped round to the westward several points since twilight^ 

 At that moment a commotion was heard outside the pipes 

 ceased loud and earnest whisperings succeeded the door 

 opened, and John, with a pale face and hurried voice, told 

 us that the otter-killer was missing, and the boy who had 

 accompanied him in the morning to the lakes, had now 

 returned without being able to give any tidings of old 

 Antony, from whom it appeared that he had separated 

 several hours before. 



" Get lights instantly," exclaimed my cousin. " Away all 

 of you! disperse right and left across the bogs. Come, Frank, 

 on with the brogues. I fear our poor otter- killer is but e a 

 lost priest.' No, Colonel, your services would be useless " 

 for the commander, forgetting gout and rheumatism, and 

 alive only to the danger of his ancient associate, had pre- 

 pared to accompany the party. 



In a few minutes every effective member of our body-politic 

 was in motion. The scene was uncommon and picturesque. 

 It being pitch-dark as the respective parties dispersed across 

 the moor upon their different routes to the mountain lakes, 

 the stream of torch-light falling upon the figures, as they 

 were revealed and hidden by the inequalities of the ground 

 they traversed, was really imposing. Their wild shouts died 

 gradually as the distance increased ; and presently nothing 

 was heard by our party but the rushing of the stream and the 

 moaning of the blast. 



Obedient to Hennessey's advice, we followed the river- 

 path, as the likeliest one which the otter-killer would select 

 in his unfortunate attempt to return to the cabin. On either 

 side of the moorland the peasants were extended, and occa- 

 sionally we caught a glimpse of their fading lights, as they 

 glanced and disappeared among the hillocks. Our own path 

 was so rough and difficult, that the torch could not secure us 

 from many and severe falls ; and from the extreme darkness 

 of the night, it was too evident that Antony could never 

 make good his way. We almost despaired of being enabled 

 to render assistance to the unfortunate object of our search. 



Suddenly, Hennessey, who led the party, halted. "By 

 heaven !" he exclaimed, " I heard either a fox's whimper, or 

 the cry of a dog." 



He put bis finger to his lips and whistled shrilly, and 

 instantly a long-sustained howl answered to the signal. 



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