228 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



man preferred to swim and push the boat to shore ; 

 of skate whose size and weight needed many men 

 to move them ; of ling and cod hauled in on lines 

 with 100 hooks, a prize on each ; and of such other 

 wondrous doings that I could but think, as the ladies 

 did, very much of Mr Sheridan. 



September mornings have a freshness all their 

 own and, as they come just when man most needs 

 them, they are often welcomed by deep-drawn breaths 

 that give back thankful sighs. 



The next day commenced with a glorious morning. 

 There was a thin curtain of the night's mist still 

 remaining when I stepped into the road to read the 

 promises for the day but it was already coloured by 

 the rising sun. There was a breeze that made waves 

 on the shore below and brought with it a salty 

 flavour, and I was busy breathing like a grampus 

 when a hand came upon my shoulder and a face 

 peered round to mine to see what ailed me. 



Harry has unbounded faith in my knowledge of 

 matters piscatorial and had felt no fear for his line 

 when playing his seventeen-pounder on the previous 

 day ; but I had had some misgivings for I had used 

 it through the previous season, so, after our morn- 

 ing's greeting, I said : " I think we had better put 

 new lines on ; you'll find some in the basket." So 

 new lengths were joined to the old ones and wound 

 upon our winches in compliment to Achill pollack. 



We had made every preparation for starting 

 immediately after breakfast so no sooner was the 

 meal over than we mounted the car which, although 

 horsed by a different animal, was driven by Pat, who 

 welcomed us with a hearty " Good-morning to yer 

 honours and good luck to the day." 



