220 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



enigma. I had been one of a knot of fox-hunters who, 

 on the preceding night, had indulged in a desperate 

 jollification. Finding a disinclination for breakfast, 

 I repaired, contrary to my general habit, without it to 

 the mountains. I had exercised severely for several 

 hours, when at once I became helpless as an infant, 

 and sank upon a bank incapable of motion. My pony 

 and some food were speedily obtained, and the jaragurta 

 banished. But, assuredly, if unassisted, I must have 

 lain upon the heath, for I could not make the slightest 

 exertion to get forward." 



It is a lamentable fact that the obligation of legal 

 oath is here of trifling importance. Cases of determined 

 perjury occur every day ; and an adjuration upon the 

 evangelists is considered as being far inferior in solemnity 

 to one upon the priesfs vestment. Whether there 

 be any regular formula to be observed in this compara- 

 tive swearing, I know not ; I say comparative, for in 

 Ballycroy, oaths, like adjectives, have three degrees of 

 value. First, that upon the evangelists ; the second, 

 upon the vestment ; and the last upon the skull. 

 Nothing is more common than to hear a fellow, who had 

 just laid down the book, offer to fortify his doubtful 

 evidence, by taking number two. But even the vestment 

 is not always conclusive ; and the following anecdote 

 will best describe the value of comparative swearing : — 



Andy Bawn has felt the arrow of " the villain," and 

 believed, " fond wretch ! " that he was beloved again. 

 The night of the portmanteau affair will ever be 

 chronicled upon his memory ; for while he was under 

 fear and terror at the bridge of Bally veeney, she, the lady 

 of his love, was at a prinkum* at Latrah, performing 



* A Ballycroy ball, on the " free and easy " plan, where rcuch 

 whisky and no ceremony is used. 



