330 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



I SLEPT soundly : my servant found me still a-bed 

 when he came at his customary hour ; as he unclosed 

 the curtains I heard a hum of voices, and appearances 

 of domestic hurry were visible ; next moment the well- 

 known Currakeen, whose celebrity as a courier is truly 

 remarkable, passed the window at a " killing-pace." 

 I found, upon inquiry, that the otter-killer was dying, 

 and that " the runner " I had just observed, had been 

 dispatched for Father Andrew. 



The ancient retainer of an Jrish family generally 

 establishes a bond upon the affections of the wild house- 

 hold, that causes his loss to make a greater sensation 

 than so humble an event might be supposed to occasion. 

 Antony, for half a century had been attached to this 

 family. Three generations have passed since he first 

 settled beneath the roof-tree ; and he has been asso- 

 ciated with every earlier recollection of the present 

 master. No wonder I found my kinsman in con- 

 siderable distress. The old man was dying and 

 youthful scenes, and youthful days, when the stormier 

 passions had not broken " the sunshine of the breast," 

 were now vividly recalled by the approaching dissolution 

 of his ancient and devoted follower. 



The summons to the Priest was instantly attended, 

 Father Andrew returned with the messenger, and was 

 immediately closeted with the penitent. Poor Antony's 

 simple life had few dark recollections to harrow his 

 parting hour. His shrift was short and satisfactory ; 

 and at his own request, when the rites of the Roman 



