232 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



thousand yards of the place where we were resting. 

 Hennessey and the gossoon* advanced in double quick, 

 and where the ridge is steepest between the highlands 

 and the valley, we observed them make a sudden halt 

 and creep gingerly forward to what seemed the brow 

 of a precipice. We followed more leisurely, and 

 adopting a similar method of approach, stole silently 

 on, and looked over the chasm. 



The precipice we were on forms the extremity of a 

 long but narrow ravine, which, gradually rising from 

 the lowlands, divides the basis of Carrig-a-binniogh 

 and Meelroe. It was a perpendicular rock of fearful 

 height. At either side the valley was flanked by the 

 sides of the opposite hills ; and they sprung up so rugged 

 and precipitous as to be quite impracticable to all but 

 " the wild flock which never needs a fold " ; and yet the 

 cleugh below was like a green spot upon a wilderness. 

 To the very bases of the ridges it was covered with 

 verdant grass and blooming heather, while, at the upper 

 end, streams from several well-heads united together 

 and formed a sparkling rivulet, which wandered between 

 banks so green and shrubby, as formed a striking con- 

 trast to the barren heaths below and the blasted wilder- 

 ness above. 



We put our hats aside, and peeped over. The wave 

 of Hennessey's hand proved the boy's report to be 

 correct, and we were gratified with a sight of those rare 

 and beautiful animals which formed the objects of our 

 expedition. They were the same leash which the peasant 

 had noticed in the lower valley — an old stag, a younger 

 one, and a doe. 



The great elevation of the precipice, and the caution 



* Anglice, boy. 



