206 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



The thunder-storm produced a considerable fresh 

 in the river, as the rain fell abundantly in the hills. The 

 stream, however, had sufficient time to clear after the 

 flood, and we found it in beautiful order. The wind 

 is steady at north-west ; and as the drafting has long 

 since been discontinued, and the wears lowered to permit 

 the fish to enter from the sea without obstruction, 

 old Antony declares that, as a fishing- day, nothing could 

 be more favourable. We tossed for choice, and lost 

 it. My kinsman commences his work three miles 

 up, at his favourite Pull-garrow, while we fish from the 

 mouth of the river. At five we meet at the cabin, and 

 the party then producing the greater weight of fish 

 is conqueror. These preliminaries being adjusted, our 

 opponent went off like an arab, to join his aide-de-camp, 

 Mr. Hennessey, who has all in readiness for his com- 

 mencement, and, I suspect, a salmon or two already 

 in the pannier. 



The opening of our campaign is everything but satis- 

 factory — Mogh-a-dioul seems possessed with the 

 demon of obstinacy ; any advance towards the river 

 is his aversion, and, as Pattigo expresses it, " the beast 

 will neither wear or stay'' The commander's seat 

 has been more than once perilled by his gambadoes ; 

 and, as we are informed that he is caparisoned with a 

 bit, which is his abomination, there is but little chance 

 of amendment in Mogh-a-dioul. This appears very 

 like a plot against the Colonel's person ; and I fear that 

 the midnight embassy to the priest will be more than 

 countervailed by the manoeuvres of our abler antagonist. 



Both adepts made excellent professions of good 

 faith at starting ; but, as my kinsman left us, there was a 

 " lurking devil in his eye," that augurs us no good 



