GROUSE SHOOTING. 85 



The man was shepherd to a farmer who kept cattle on 

 these mountains. Here, in this savage retreat, he 

 lived removed from the world, for the nearest cabin 

 to this spot is more than four miles distant. 



" It may be supposed that the general distress afflicted 

 this isolated family. The welcome news of the arrival 

 of succours at Ballycroy at length reached them, and the 

 herdsman set out to procure some of the committee-meal 

 to relieve the hunger of his half-starved family. 



" On arriving at the depot, the stock of meal was 

 nearly expended : however, he obtained a temporary 

 supply, and was comforted with the assurance that a 

 large quantity was hourly expected. 



" Anxious to bring the means of sustenance to his 

 suffering little ones, the herdsman crossed the mountain 

 with his precious burden, and reached that hillock 

 where the stones are loosely piled. 



" But during his absence at Ballycroy the rain had 

 fallen heavily in the hills ; the river was no longer 

 fordable ; a furious torrent of discoloured water rushed 

 from the heights, and choked the narrow channel. There 

 stood the returning parent, within twenty paces of 

 his wretched but dearly loved hovel. The children, 

 with a cry of delight, rushed from the hut to the opposite 

 bank to welcome him ; but, terrified by the fearful 

 appearance of the flood, his wife entreated him not 

 to attempt its passage for the present. 



" But would he, a powerful and experienced swimmer, 

 be deterred ? The eager and hungry looks of his 

 expecting family maddened the unhappy father. He 

 threw aside his clothes, bound them with the meal upon 

 his back, crossed himself devoutly, and, ' in the name of 

 God,' committed himself to the swollen river. 



