A Sportsman at Large 105 



utterly fed up with the too intimate company of his victim's 

 corpse. When at last he was released from durance vile and 

 the adhesive incubus, he was exalted with joy and thanksgiving, 

 and signified the same in the usual canine manner. The 

 Ancient Mariner could hardly have felt more relieved when the 

 bindings of the defunct albatross slid from his neck. 



As for Terry Millighan, he was solaced with a five pound 

 note (there were such pleasant pledges of the Bank of England 

 in those days). 



' The Holy Saints bless yer 'anner ! " he exclaimed fervently. 

 " Faith an' ut's meself phwat whill be havin' another lamb 

 seun ; an' if so be, yer 'anner and yer 'anner's iligant dog 

 whill be wantin' moore spoort, be gob, ye're welcome more 

 power teu yez both ! " 



Now I did not appreciate being identified as an accomplice 

 of Randy's crime, either as an accessory before or after the fact ; 

 but what was the use of arguing the matter with an ignoramus 

 such as Terry. I just let it pass ! 



It is said that when once a dog has taken to mutton mauling 

 the obsession is incurable ; but I can vouch for it, that " Mr. 

 Champion Streatham Monarch II " never again molested a 

 sheep. He couldn't bear the sight of one ; nor would he 

 partake of the flesh thereof ; unless camouflaged by culinary 

 art. So that was that ! 



There came over to join the gay throng at Burrishoole, a 

 youngster of tender years (about twenty of the same) whom 

 we will call Dicky Garnett. At this time the Fenians were 

 busy, and it was reported that Connemara itself was not free 

 from their nefarious activities. 



We had been discussing the matter after dinner on'e evening 

 over our pipes. Ted Jaquet, who had been gazing thought- 

 fully at our young guest, noting the pallor of his countenance 

 and the intermittent tremors which shook his elegant figure, 

 had a brain wave which his fertile resource converted to action, 

 with I am sorry to say our connivance. 



Ted was an inveterate practical joker, and this seemed to 

 be a grand opportunity for the exercise of his ingenuity in this 

 direction. 



One stormy night, when the windows rattled and the wind 



