LAST DAY S SHOOTING. 29I 



" This may be heard," he muttered, and, drawing 

 a pistol from his breast, the loud report was answered 

 by a distant halloo. Next moment lights appeared, 

 and our shouts and whistles directed the torch-bearers 

 to the place. 



We disencumbered the dying man of his iron trap, 

 and our attempts to restore suspended animation appeared 

 to be partially successful. But the Priest, who led the 

 party coming to our relief, gave us still better hopes, 

 by ascertaining that the old man's pulse was beating. 



From the assistance we received, the unfortunate 

 otter-killer was transported quickly to the cabin. A 

 bed was already heated, and John had abundance of 

 warm water to bathe his chilled limbs. Our unabated 

 efforts were crowned with ultimate success ; for before 

 midnight, he had recovered his speech, and was enabled, 

 though with some difficulty, to give us the particulars 

 of his unlucky excursion. 



He reached, it appeared, the loughs soon after day- 

 light, and discovered the numerous footmarks which 

 the fishing-party had already observed. One trace he 

 particularly followed, and, from the spraint, concluded 

 the animal would cross the path again before evening *, 

 and, after setting his trap, Antony retired to a distance, 

 whence, himself unseen, he could watch the event. 



At twilight, as the old man had conjectured, the 

 otter, on his return, crossed the path, and was secured, 

 and the hunter, and his terrier made good the capture. 

 Proud of his success, which, to the old man seemed 

 a proof that his energies were not yet gone, he foolishly 

 endeavoured to carry this trophy of his skill along with 

 him, instead of leaving it with his trap, for some gossoon 

 to bring in the morning to the cabin. He turned his 



