84 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



ledges where one false step would precipitate them 

 to certain destruction ; but what struck us as being 

 far more wonderful was the sudden appearance of a 

 maiden walking along the apparently pathless side 

 of the cliff. She was followed by another. They 

 were so far off that we, at first, thought them mere 

 children who had lost their way ; but as they neared 

 our fascinated eyes, sometimes with a leap over a 

 ghastly crevice, we saw that they were well-grown 

 girls in the full enjoyment of their senses. After 

 the first few minutes of demure refusal they per- 

 mitted my son to take their photos. 



We may all remember the utter recklessness of 

 danger with which, in our youthful days, we crossed 

 floods, or stood upon the brink of yawning preci- 

 pices ; feats which, in after years, the wealth of 

 kingdoms would not tempt us to try again. 



" The light-hearted daughters of Erin, 



Like the mountain deer they can bound; 

 Their feet never touch the green island, 

 But music is struck from the ground. 



" And oft in the green glens and green meadows, 



The ould jig they dance with such grace, 

 That even the daisies they tread on, 

 Look up with delight in their face." 



Our driver, anxious to proceed, interrupted our 

 chat with the girls, and we were soon on the road to 

 Glencolumbkille, where St. Columba helped to rear 

 with his own hands the schools, where he afterwards 

 taught, to all who would listen, his Christian Faith. 



