338 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



of the Lodge, in connection with the burying-ground, 

 it was necessary that the body should be carried across 

 the estuary by water. At the appointed hour, from 

 every creek and harbour, the peasantry were seen afloat, 

 and when the funeral left the house, more than a hundred 

 boats accompanied that in which the corpse was depo- 

 sited. My kinsman followed next to the body with all 

 his visitors and servants ; and when the opposite strand 

 was reached, he and his foster-brother placed their 

 shoulders under the coffin, and supported it for a short 

 distance along the beach. 



This was, 1 was afterwards informed, the highest 

 honour that could be conferred upon the departed by 

 his master ; and even the magnificence of the otter- 

 killer's wake was held inferior to this proud and public 

 testimony of his patron's affections. 



One circumstance was remarked which was power- 

 fully indicative of animal affection. The dead man's 

 terrier had remained night and day beside his bier, 

 since the morning of his death. Unnoticed, she crept 

 on board the boat that conveyed the coflin to the 

 churchyard ; and when the grave was filled, she was 

 with difficulty carried home by an attendant, but, 

 escaping during the night, crossed the estuary by swim- 

 ming, and again lay down upon the turf, beneath which 

 her beloved master was sleeping. Every care and 

 kindness was bestowed upon her in the Lodge. No 

 one addressed her but as *' poor Venney.'' Notwith- 

 standing she drooped visibly, and in three weeks after 

 his interment, in death the otter-killer's favourite 

 " bore him company." 



When we reached the Lodge, we made a discovery 

 which, possibly with some people, might lead to an 



