X villi PREFACE. 



and one valued friend, though now beneath another 

 sun, will probably recall the days he spent by " fell 

 and flood," and bring to memory those light and joyous 

 hours when he caroused in a mountain bivouac and 

 rested in a moorland hut. 



With regard to the tales and legends narrated in the 

 succeeding pages, the former were told just as they are 

 introduced. " The Blind Seal " is known to be sub- 

 stantially true — I have heard it from many, and never 

 knew its veracity impugned. My lamented friend 

 was himself the principal actor in " the Night Attack " ; 

 and he, poor fellow, was exactly the man who, in an 

 affray or a carouse, might be depended on. 



Respecting the legendary stories, I have no pledge 

 to offer for their authenticity — Old Antony believed 

 them to the letter — I have given them nearly in his 

 own words, and I may say, with Sir Walter Scott, 



" I cannot tell how the truth may be, 

 I say the tale as 'twas told to me." 



" The Legend of Knock-a-thample " remains as the 

 Otter-killer related it ; but with " Rose Roche " I 

 confess to have taken liberties, in suppressing a portion 

 of her flirtation with the *' black-eyed page," which 

 although, upon the lady's part, I feel convinced, was 

 perfectly platonic, yet by uncharitable constructions 

 might be tortured into something like indiscretion. 



If I have undervalued those rural recreations in which 

 many a worthy citizen sometimes dissipates, I hope my 

 contempt for his avocations will be ascribed to the true 

 cause, namely, that local advantages have spoiled my 

 taste and rendered me fastidious. He who can shoot 

 grouse upon the moor will spend little time in killing 

 pigeons from the trap ; the angler who in a morning 



