216 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



It was ten A.M. when I caught sight of our host. 

 He was on the other side of the road resting his 

 back against the iron rails that rose from out a low 

 wall which allowed him only a portion of a seat on 

 which he perched as much of himself as the narrow 

 ledge permitted. I crossed to him. 



" Good-morning, Mr Sheridan." 



"Good-morning, sir." 



" I am here with my son with the hope of doing 

 a little fishing ; can you suggest where we are most 

 likely to get it?" 



I admit that this question could not assist him 

 to assist us, so I deserved what I got, which was : 

 " I was thinking, perhaps, you would like some 

 fishing when I saw you had brought your rods and 

 I said to myself we shall be having rain soon I 

 hope." 



My next question should have been my first : 

 "Is there anywhere round this island a sheltered 

 spot where a boat could be had to take us sea- 

 fishing?" 



" Bedad and there's that anyway, sir," and with 

 that he fairly jumped from his seat and called 

 loudly for " Pat," which quickly brought a young, 

 energetic-looking man from the stable-yard, who 

 was told to bring a car to take two gentlemen 

 fishing and, as he turned to obey this order, there 

 was added : " Now quick, Pat, these gentlemen 

 would be there long ago." 



Irish readiness to help someone else to do the 

 thing that other has in mind was to the fore and we 

 found the car waiting us when we appeared with 

 our lunch, rods and tackle, and, as the little six feet 

 six inch rods were at their length, there was some 



