DEATH OF THE OTTER-KILLER, 33 1 



Catholic Church had been duly celebrated, my cousin 

 and myself were summoned to his bedside. 



The old man was supported by Hennessey, as a 

 difficulty in breathing obliged him to be raised up ; 

 and the scene was at once simple and imposing. The 

 early monitor of his youthful fishing-days — ^the being 

 who had in mountain pastimes been so frequently his 

 companion, possibly recalled softer recollections, and 

 a deep shade of sorrow overspread the countenance of 

 the " stern homicide." The black-eyed girl, who held 

 a teaspoon to his lips, vainly endeavouring to introduce 

 some nourishment, wept over him like a lamenting 

 child. His faithful terrier sat at the bed-foot, and the 

 fixed and melancholy look that the poor animal turned 

 on her dying master, would have half persuaded me 

 that Venom knew she was about to lose him. Dim as 

 liis eye was, it lighted as my kinsman's tall figure 

 darkened the entrance of the chamber ; and feebly 

 putting forth his hand, he clasped that of his beloved 

 master with affection, and while weakness and imperfect 

 breathing sadly interrupted his *' last farewell," we 

 could with some difficulty thus collect his words. 



" I'm going, Master Julius, and may the blessing of 

 the Almighty attend ye ! Sure, I should be thankful, 

 with all about me to make me easy to the last. I saw 

 your grandfather stretched — I sat beside your father 

 when he departed, may the Lord be merciful to both ! 

 and I die with yourself and the clargy to comfort my last 

 hour, praises be to Mary, Master Julius, will you listen 

 to a dying man ; he that carried ye in his arms, and 

 loved ye better than all the world besides ? — ye '11 take 

 my advice. Marry, Julius avourneen — the ould name 

 that since the days of Shamul a Croaghah held land and 



