1873] The Charms of A chill. 241 



Where the bright Sun uprising 



Gilds Slieve More with his joy, 

 Half-lighting the close-crowded hills 



Of distant Ballycroy : 



Around whose cliff the Raven croaks, 



And the screaming Falcons call ; 

 And the gentle Gulls, in their robes so white, 



We have loved them one and all. 



Ah ! who can tell the dear delight, 



On a bright fair summer's morning, 

 To seek the Seal on the yellow strand, 



All toil and danger scorning ! 



He on a rock, stretched high and dry, 



Careless, no watch is keeping : 

 Till the rifle-ball, with its shrill swift call, 



Shall awake the monster sleeping ; 



And the giant Bull on board we '11 pull, 

 Though our crazy old boat is leaking, 



And we '11 bear him away, a noble prey, 

 And a prize well worth the seeking. 



Then farewell, ye hills of Achill, 



Ye shores of Achill dear, 

 Ye rocks, storm-swept in thunder, 



Ye waters blue and clear ; 



And when another summer comes, 



With its sunshine and its joy, 

 Again we '11 sail to Achill, 



Again to Ballycroy. 



It was sometimes easier to bid Achill " Farewell " than 

 to leave her, as he found on June 2yth when setting out 

 for Belmullet. 



" Friday. Quite a gale of wind. Left the Sound at 8, 

 jibing the cutter in a dangerous manner. In a squall, 

 split the storm-jib all in pieces, and took shelter under 

 Bull's-mouth, when we were taken ashore to the C. G. 

 station. Thence to Colony in a storm of wind and rain, 

 only too glad to find shelter at the Dugort Hotel." 



Next day he found that the " ill wind " had not been 

 absolutely unprofitable. " June 28, Saturday. Hard gale 



K 



