"THE DAYS THAT WERE" 325 



water, we got a shot or two but only bagged one goose. On 

 another occasion the attempt to circumvent these exceedingly 

 wary birds, which, thanks to hungry islanders, lead a disturbed 

 existence, was unsuccessful ; when almost within shot we 

 disturbed an old blackcock, who got up with altogether un- 

 necessary noise and made the geese follow his example and 

 depart out to sea. 



All game was "wild" on this wild island, as indeed was the 

 weather also. Hard work alone filled the bag, but I enjoyed it 

 thoroughly for all that and because of that. On return to the 

 house one felt deserving of what was brought home, and looked 

 once more with pleasure and pride at those beautiful birds which 

 had afforded such real sport during the day's wanderings in a 

 wild but most picturesque country. 



For the use of future goose hunters I here add Mr. Patrick 

 Bower's recipe for preparing a goose for the table given by 

 " Gowgeen " in one of his charming letters on "Sport in 

 Ireland," published in the County Gentleman of February 13, 

 1904 : " Plock the goose, sar, and put it into a big pot of shpring 

 wather, with half a stone of piathies, a hid or two of white 

 cabbage, a shake of pepper and a pinch of salt. Then let an eel 

 loose in the pot ; what's the matter with the wild goose is that 

 it's a dhry baste, and wants greasing and the eel does it. Boil 

 it, yer honour, till the mate leaves the bones, and, Glory be to 

 God, the Lord Liftinant will invy ye the ateing of it." 



