108 A Sportsman at Large 



my cousin should remain on sentry go, whilst I proceeded 

 with my reconnoitring. 



I sallied forth unarmed and made my way over the rough, 

 until I gained my objective. 



Here I found a gang of a dozen of " the bhoys " cheerfully 

 and diligently engaged in dragging the river. 



" What the blazes are you up to ? " I yelled. " Don't 

 you know this is private water and that you're poaching ? " 



The operators took very little notice of my complaint 

 but continued their nefarious occupation, so I repeated my 

 challenge. 



One of the malefactors (head lad probably) turned his head 

 at last. 



" Aw, shure yer 'anner, uts ourselves phwat knows uts 

 proivate propertee, but not proivit for the loikes av us St. 

 Pathrick be praised ! Now ut's a good gossoon ye'll be, and 

 set yez quoiet on that shtone, an so be as ye makes no fuss 

 av ut, faith, we'll be fer givin' yer 'anner a foine salmon. 

 But anny moore av yez bleatin', an' inter the river yez goes. 

 Mark that now ! " 



I was left guessing again ! 



But I am, thank goodness, blessed with a sense of humour. 

 How else could I have borne the slings and arrows of out- 

 rageous fortune which were hurled at me in after years, not 

 in single spies, but in battalions (rather mixed metaphor 

 this I fear, but it must serve). 



I could not help seeing the humorous side of my own 

 predicament. 



So I sat me down, lighted my pipe and watched the poach- 

 ing operations, which happily were of a somewhat primitive 

 nature, so that the haul was no " miraculous draught of 

 fishes." 



But Mr. Jerry Gilhooly (the aforesaid boss) was as good as 

 his word, and not only presented me with a nice fresh run 

 ten pounder (a rarity in those parts and at that season of the 

 year), but even offered to carry it up to the house for me. 



This gave me my cue ; so I addressed the gang in the 

 vernacular. (I rather pride myself on picking up and reproduc- 

 ing dialects. Be it said that there are as many variations 



