332 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



honour — surely you won't let it pass ? Mind the old 

 man's last words — and now Heaven bless ye ! " And 

 in feeble tones he continued muttering benedictions 

 upon all around him. My cousin was really affected, 

 and the Priest, perceiving the increasing feebleness 

 of the otter-killer, requested us to retire. We were 

 obeying, when Antony rallied suddenly and unex- 

 pectedly : — " You will mind the dog, for my sake, 

 Master Julius — and ye '11 let trap and fishing-rod hang 

 up in the hall, to put ye in mind of old Antony ? " 

 These were his last connected words — his strength 

 failed fast ; his memory wandered to other times ; 

 " he babbled of green fields," he murmured the names 

 of lakes and rivers — and while the affectionate Priest 

 prayed fervently beside his old and innocent com- 

 panion, the otter-killer rendered his last sigh in the arms 

 of Hennessey and the weeping Alice ! 



Talk of parade around the couch of fortune, and 

 what a heartless display is it I / saw a rich man die ; 

 I saw the hollow mockery of hireling attendants and 

 interested friends ; but here, that simple, unsophisti- 

 cated being had a sincerity of grief bestowed upon his 

 death- bed, that to wealth and grandeur would be un- 

 attainable I 



There was a loud and agonizing burst of sorrow 

 when the otter-killer's death was communicated to 

 those in the hall and kitchen, who, during the closing 

 scene, had been with difficulty prevented from crowding 

 the apartment of the sufferer. But this noisy demon- 

 stration of regard was speedily checked by old John, 

 who knew that his master would be doubly displeased 

 should any tumultuary wailings render me uncomfortable. 



In a short time, order was tolerably established ; 



