232 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



thousand yards of the place where we were resting. 

 Hennessey and the gossoon* advanced in double quick, 

 and where the ridge is steepest between the highlands 

 and the valley, we observed them make a sudden halt 

 and creep gingerly forward to what seemed the brow 

 of a precipice. We followed more leisurely, and 

 adopting a similar method of approach, stole silently 

 on, and looked over the chasm. 



The precipice we were on forms the extremity of a 

 long but narrow ravine, which, gradually rising from 

 the lowlands, divides the basis of Carrig-a-binniogh 

 and Meelroe. It was a perpendicular rock of fearful 

 height. At either side the valley was flanked by the 

 sides of the opposite hills ; and they sprung up so rugged 

 and precipitous as to be quite impracticable to all but 

 " the wild flock which never needs a fold " ; and yet the 

 cleugh below was like a green spot upon a wilderness. 

 To the very bases of the ridges it was covered with 

 verdant grass and blooming heather, while, at the upper 

 end, streams from several well-heads united together 

 and formed a sparkling rivulet, which wandered between 

 banks so green and shrubby, as formed a striking con- 

 trast to the barren heaths below and the blasted wilder- 

 ness above. 



We put our hats aside, and peeped over. The wave 

 of Hennessey's hand proved the boy's report to be 

 correct, and we were gratified with a sight of those rare 

 and beautiful animals which formed the objects of our 

 expedition. They were the same leash which the peasant 

 had noticed in the lower valley an old stag, a younger 

 one, and a doe. 



The great elevation of the precipice, and the caution 



* A nglice, boy. 



