AN OLD SPORTSMAN. 



ing : you see the black rafters and the rotten 

 thatch gloom over your head. There is a 

 second apartment, in which the family retire 

 (into one bed) for the night. At present the 

 Callaghans are not overcrowded, comprehend- 

 ing 'only Mr. and Mrs. Callaghan and the 

 gossoon, or heir. Tim Callaghan is supposed, 

 by his neighbours, to be snug, and with all this 

 air of slatternly discomfort you note that none 

 of the lot seem either hungry or dissatisfied. 

 Tim respectfully produces a black bottle, and 

 wants to know " av he might make bould to 

 offer us a drop of the cratur," but we decline, 

 and the kipeen (a stout blackthorn) being pro- 

 duced from the back of the dresser on which 

 the crockery of the establishment is displayed, 

 we march out for our raid upon the " cocks." 

 We have to cross a brawling swollen brook on 

 stepping-stones, and landing on the other side 

 find ourselves at the base of a rather high and 

 steep hill, covered with thick thorny furze, in 

 which it is extremely difficult to walk. We 

 are here compelled to leave the dogs below, as 

 their feet and tails would be sadly torn in this 

 spot. As it is, although I am well shod and 



