CRAP-NA-GOWER. 61 



shaded here arid there by a clump of reverend yews, a finer 

 study for the artist's pencil could not be found. It was 

 to this lone spot, where the poor goats had braved the 

 winter frost and summer sun of many a long year, that 

 I now bent my steps, the messenger of their destruction. 



We thoroughly knew all the passes, and stationed 

 sentries in them to intercept the goats, should they 

 attempt to cross to the other side of the island, which is 

 about two miles long. When they found their progress 

 blockaded, they would immediately return to Crap-na- 

 Gower. My business then was to find out the pass they 

 would use on their way back, and lie concealed. This 

 was not difficult, as the barricaders in front would give me 

 the signal. A very slight one might suffice, as I was also 

 well acquainted with all the back passes. 



I took my telescope in my hand, and was followed by a 

 keeper, carrying my rifle. A circuit of a mile, to gain the 

 wind, brought us to the far side of Crap-na-Gower. We 

 were then about a quarter of a mile to leeward of the 

 two poor goats, who were unsuspectingly munching their 

 delicious repast of yew-twigs, in the full enjoyment of a 

 midday sun. Our near approach was over a succession of 

 rocks and knolls covered with heather, so long as nearly to 

 reach the waist. We were constantly kept upon the alert, 

 for this heather often concealed holes that it would have 

 been no joke to have stumbled into; and were also annoyed 

 by the sunk rocks^ which are often covered as effectually 

 by this long heather as by the waters of the deep. 



Having gained the knoll, on the other side of which we 



