210 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



but everything on earth has its alloy, and two circum- 

 stances appear to cloud the sunshine of the commander's 

 bosom. One is the inexplicable conduct of the priest ; 

 the other, the repeated misconduct of Mogh-a-dioul. 

 We have, to be sure, four fine salmon, and a score of good- 

 sized sea-trout ; but the Colonel swears that he lost 

 his best fishing until he discarded the priest's flies ; 

 and it is probable, if their defects had been apparent 

 at an earlier period, our baskets would have been con- 

 siderably benefited by the discovery. 



As we ascended the bank before the cabin door, our 

 rival met us. He had left off fishing for some time, 

 and had changed his dress entirely — '' Come, brush 

 up, or dinner will be spoiled. Colonel, I trust that 

 you and Mogh-a-dioul are on pleasing terms with each 

 other. You stole my bridle, but, no apologies — I can 

 ride Crughadore with a hayband. Come, — ^to scale 

 at once, or dinner is not worth a gray groat. Hennessey, 

 the steel- yard — produce — despatch — one^ two, three, 

 four. You killed one apiece, I presume, and Andy gaffed 

 the other two ; nay, commander of the faithful, look 

 not so ferocious. What, no more ! and is this paltry 

 creel of fish the produce of the day ? Colonel, I blush 

 for you. Barely forty pounds. Turn that clave* over, 

 and put these gentlemen of the angle out of pain." 

 As he spoke, the attendant emptied the contents of the 

 pannier, and nine well-sized salmon, with a multitude 

 of sea-trout, rolled out upon the sward. 



*' By my faith ! " exclaimed the commander, " these 

 fish were never fairly killed ; you drafted a hole or two, 

 as surely as I am a sinner." 



'' The latter part of your remark I admit," said my 



* A horsebasket. 



