130 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



returned ; the paddles dipped in the water, the light 

 curragh skimmed over the surface like a sea-bird, and 

 in a few minutes the female and her frail bark were 

 rocking beneath the counter of the sailing-boat. 



I shuddered as I looked over the hooker's side at this 

 crazy vehicle ; it was but a few slight hoops, secured 

 together by cords, and overlaid by a covering of canvas, 

 rendered waterproof by a coating of tar and tallow. 

 The machine was so unsubstantial that a schoolboy could 

 carry it easily upon his shoulders. Nor was its fragility 

 alone that which rendered this bark so perilous ; from 

 its peculiar construction, it scarcely rested on the surface 

 of the sea ; and, consequently, the least change of 

 position in the occupant would inevitably capsize it ; 

 and yet, in this frail vessel, the young islander sat in 

 perfect security, a couple of hand-lines coiled at her 

 feet, and the bottom of the curragh overspread with the 

 produce of her fishery. Without the romance of Scott's 

 beautiful boatwoman there was something more than 

 interesting in the air and look of this wild female. Free 

 from that timidity which might be expected in the 

 inhabitant of a remote coast, on her first introduction 

 to strangers of a different grade in society, she laughed 

 and jested with the boatmen ; and the play of her 

 merry hazel eye, and the smile which disclosed a row 

 of pure and even teeth, had really more in them to 

 captivate than the cold and regular charms of many a 

 high-born beauty. 



" We must land singly," said my cousin ; " for your 

 curragh is but a crank concern. Mind how you step 

 in, Frank." But I had already determined against an 

 embarkation, and accordingly declined the honour 

 of being first adventurer. My timidity only excited the 



