242 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



in consequence of his absence, the male portion of 

 his flock got through the day's devotions very early, 

 and, as it is their custom to say ''Good-evening" 

 after their worship, it was "Good-evening, yer 

 honours," soon after eleven that day. By twelve 

 there was a gathering of men near the quay some 

 of whom I thought invited questioning, so I ven- 

 tured to ask if our going out in a boat would be 

 displeasing. " Displaising! it's ourselves that would 

 row yer honours round the island if so it be plaising 

 ye," and it was then and there arranged we would 

 go round. 



Much was done in the hour and a half that 

 intervened between the chartering and our coming 

 on the quay to start. A long boat had been launched 

 and a number of men stood ready to man her and 

 were answering to their names as a military police- 

 man, Sergeant Davis, called them out. John 

 Grady was the first to say " Here," and then fol- 

 lowed John Malley, Pat Grady, Mike Malley, 

 Peter Malley and Peter Scoffold, but, when Michael 

 Burke's name was called, it was Peter Malley who 

 said: " Here, sergeant; I see him coming." 

 The sergeant called Mr John M'Cabe who stood 

 at attention with his rifle and answered " Here " ; 

 then the sergeant called himself and answered 

 " Here " as he pulled his rifle to his side ; and after 

 that he turned to us, saluted and called: "Two 

 gentlemen to see our island that are taking rods 

 with thim." It was a little sad to see the dis- 

 appointment of those left behind but hard to under- 

 stand, seeing that to be on the water could be no 

 treat to them. 



The first sight of the boat told me that my flask 



