RED DEER. 99 



CHAPTER XV. 



How rapidly the waters of a mountain river swell 

 and subside ! Last night the steep bank before the 

 cabin door was scarcely visible above the swollen and 

 discoloured stream. The flood is gone ; the river 

 has recovered its silvery hue, and no traces of yesterday's 

 violence appear, save the huge masses of turf left by the 

 receding waters on the shore, which, from their size, 

 prove how fierce the torrent was when at its height. 



We have been expecting anxiously a messenger with 

 the post-bag, for three days have elapsed since its last 

 arrival. There will be an accumulation of newspapers. 

 What a treasure they would have been yesterday ! Ha ! 

 there is a bustle in the outer cabin ; no doubt an arrival. 

 It is the messenger. 



I never saw finer samples of the mountain peasantry 

 than this man and his brother exhibit. They are 

 scarcely to be known asunder ; young, particularly 

 handsome, five feet eleven inches, light, active, clean- 

 limbed, perfect specimens of strength and symmetry 

 combined ; good-humoured, indefatigable, and obliging, 

 submissive to the Master's nod, and yet the boldest and 

 handiest boys in Ballycroy. I sometimes look after 

 my kinsman as he strides over the moors with his hand- 

 some henchmen at his back. He walks as if the province 

 was his own ; bold, and careless, and confident — no 

 wonder — those wild fellows are his josterers, and they 

 would shed the last drop of their blood for " the Master," 

 if he required it. 



