VISITING ACHIL. 115 



CHAPTER XVII. 



FOR three days it has continued raining and blowing 

 violently. We fortunately abandoned the mountain 

 hut, on noticing the unpromising aspect of the weather, 

 before the flood rose to a height that would have insu- 

 lated us in the hills. We have determined on an excur- 

 sion into Achil, and wait impatiently until the wind 

 and clouds give some indication of amendment. The 

 moon enters her second quarter to-night, and we trust 

 her ladyship's influence may mitigate the unusual 

 severity of the weather. 



This morning my servant's report was favourable ; 

 the sky looked settled, the wind blew from the north- 

 west, and old Antony was satisfied with the prognostics. 

 My cousin was already a-foot, and his voice at my 

 window loudly summoned me to " turn-out." I opened 

 the curtains the sun was shining as if he intended 

 to keep a fair face throughout the day, and there was a 

 cheerful bustle in front of the Lodge which gave " note 

 of preparation." The main-sail of the hooker was 

 already chalk up and shivering in the morning breeze ; 

 and the boat men, sitting on the grass before the window, 

 were preparing lines and baiting spillets. The piper 

 looked on, stretching one arm lazily out, while with the 

 other he hitched up the waistband of his unmentionables ; 

 and frequent visits of the dog-boy to the kennel showed 

 that both bipeds and quadrupeds would be shortly in 

 requisition. Hammocks, hampers, and gun-cases, were 

 subsequently embarked, and about eight o'clock we had 

 finished our dejeuner and committed our persons and 

 fortunes to the waves. 



