MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 133 



lambs and their dams ; nor does it cease until 

 they are brought together after the washing 

 to be driven back to the fells. By this time 

 every one engaged in the day's work has im- 

 bibed much strong ale ; but hard work has 

 rendered them none the worse for their deep 

 draughts. Seeing the sheep sprinkled over the 

 fells a few days after this, their coats are 

 observed to be whiter and the wool more 

 fleecy. 



Washing, of course, is preparatory to shear- 

 ing; and this comes a fortnight later. All the 

 dale responds. Goodwill is one of the cha- 

 racteristics of the 'Statesman. For shearing 

 as for washing, the sheep have to be gathered ; 

 and this sometimes takes two days and a night 

 to accomplish. The animals are brought down 

 the mountain road to the farm and placed in 

 rude stone folds, each holding perhaps a hun- 

 dred sheep. The Shearers arrive from up and 

 down dale, and among them come the Parson 

 and 'Squire, each in white' " overalls." The 

 Shearers seat themselves on "creels" ranged 

 round the main fold, and a dozen stout lads 

 act a£ "catchers" to supply their elders with 

 sheep. Bright bands are produced to tie the 



