214 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



The otter-killer arrived here last evening, after having, 

 according to his own account, worked wonders upon a 

 damaged head. From the specimens I have seen 

 during my short sojourn at Ballycroy, I have come to a 

 conclusion that the skulls of the natives are fabricated 

 of different materials to those of all the world besides. 

 Their endurance is miraculous — a fellow who was 

 reported as " beaten to a jelly, and anointed by the priest," 

 last week, actually cleared a fair with an unpronounceable 

 name yesterday, after qualifying for admission to the 

 next infirmary some half-score of his Majesty's liege 

 subjects. This is an every-day exploit ; and of all the 

 corners of the earth that I have visited, I would name 

 this as the place wherein to establish a resident cranio- 

 logist. 



Like all wild people, these aborigines are absurdly 

 credulous, and open to the grossest superstitions. 

 Charms, as they believe, are employed with decided 

 success, in every disease you name. The existence of 

 ghosts and fairies is universally acknowledged ; and 

 animals of extraordinary formation, and strange virtues, 

 are supposed to inhabit lakes and rivers. Among these 

 the sea-horse and master-otter* are pre-eminent. By 

 a singular anomaly, the first is said to be found in certain 

 inland loughs, and his appearance is imagined to be 

 fatal to the unfortunate person who encounters him. 

 The latter, however, should be an object of anxious 



* There is a strange coincidence between the master -otter of 

 the Irish and the Jungunus crocodile of the Japanese. 



