204 LOUGH DERG. 



" Not quite so bad as that," said the 

 Parson. " Think how we should be laughed 

 at. We can fit out something : the damaged 

 flies here will give us gut enough for two 

 or three good casting-lines. It is a great 

 pity I took mine off my hat the other day, 

 but the flies were getting thoroughly washed 

 in the rainy weather we have been having. 

 I am sure, though, we shall have enough 

 here. As for the hooks, they will all come in 

 again. There is wax and silk, and here is a 

 penknife. Jump about, Johnny, and see 

 what you can find. Knock down that cock 

 that is strutting about there ; he wdll give 

 us black hackles enough for a twelvemonth. 

 An old drake would be a capital prize. The 

 landrails are in season; — see if you cannot 

 pick up a wing or two. Blessings on the 

 carpet, it has got a hole in it already! 

 besides, a hole or two goes for nothing in 

 Ireland ; and here is red worsted, and blue, 

 and brown, and — let me see — yes, yellow 

 to be got out of it. There is a mottled hen, 

 which will give us wings ; and if you can 

 get a boy to shoot us a blackbird, or a star- 

 ling or two, we are fairly set up. Come 

 along, Captain — all hands to work! Send 



