212 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



in his life was taken with a fit of conscience, and actually 

 refused to gaff a salmon. The very otters were com- 

 bined against us, and disturbed the best pool upon the 

 river but Pull-buoy. I had no time to tie fresh flies." 



" Or even send to Goolamere to borrow" said my 

 kinsman, drily. 



" Ah, hem," and the Colonel appeared a little bothered 

 " I want no man's flies ; my own, I find, will generally 

 answer." 



" And yet," said the host, " the priest, when he 

 pleases, can tie a killing one" 



" Why ye es, he does a leetle coarse but let me 

 see your casting-lines ; I fear, my friend, that we had 

 not the right colours up." 



" I fear so, too" said our host, with much expression. 



" By my conscience ! " exclaimed the Colonel, as he 

 scrutinised the casting-lines that were wound about my 

 kinsman's hat, " I would have taken my oath on a 

 bag- full of books that this mallard's wing was tied by 

 Father Andrew." 



" And by my conscience," returned the host, " you 

 would not have been very far astray." 



" And was this fair, Julius to fish with any but 

 your own ? " 



" Why, really, they looked so beautiful, that for the 

 life of me I could not but put them up. But, my friend, 

 the next time you despatch a midnight messenger, 

 select a trustier one than Currakeen* and take a better 

 opportunity to praise young Alice's ' black eyes ' than 

 when issuing your secret instructions. Nay, I will 

 respect those blushes. The fact is, Currakeen was at 

 your window before ' a mother's soul was stirring y ^ 

 * A bye-name given to one of tlje endless tribe of M alley. 



