DEATH OF THE OTTER-KILLER. 275 



about me to make me easy to the last. I saw your grand 

 father stretched I sat beside your father when he departed, 

 may the Lord be merciful to both ! and I die with yourself 

 and the clargy to comfort my last hour, praises be to Mary, 

 Master Julius, will you listen to a dying man ; he that 

 carried ye in his arms, and loved ye better than all the 

 world besides ? ye'll take my advice. Marry, Julius 

 avourneen the ould name that since the days of Shamul 

 a Croaghah held land and honour surely you won't let it 

 pass? Mind the old man's last words and now Heaven 

 bless ye !" And in feeble tones he continued muttering 

 benedictions upon all around him. My cousin was really 

 affected, and the Priest perceiving the increasing feebleness 

 of the otter-killer, requested us to retire. We were obey- 

 ing, when Antony rallied suddenly and unexpectedly : 

 " You will mind the dog, for my sake, Master Julius and 

 ye'll let trap and fishing-rod hang up in the hall, to put ye 

 in mind of old Antony ?" These were his last connected 

 words his strength failed fast ; his memory wandered to 

 other times ; " he babbled of green fields," he murmured 

 the names of lakes and rivers and while the affectionate 

 Priest prayed fervently beside his old and innocent companion, 

 the otter-killer rendered his last sigh in the arms of Hennessey 

 and the weeping Alice ! 



Talk of parade around the couch of fortune, and what a 

 heartless display is it ! / saw a rich man die ; I saw the 

 hollow mockery of hireling attendants and interested friends ; 

 but here, that simple unsophisticated being had a sincerity of 

 grief bestowed upon his death-bed, that to wealth and grandeur 

 would be unattainable ! 



There was a loud and agonizing burst of sorrow when the 

 otter-killer's death was communicated to those in the hall 

 and kitchen, who, during the closing scene, had been with 

 difficulty prevented from crowding the apartment of the 

 sufferer. But this noisy demonstration of regard was speedily 

 checked by old John, who knew that his master would be 

 doubly displeased should any tumultuary wailings render rne 

 uncomfortable. 



In a short time, order was tolerably established ; and with 

 one exception, a quiet and respectful silence supervened A 

 stout, though aged crone, occasionally burst into wild lament, 



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