The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-04-04
LLOYD PENNANT;
A Tale of the West of Ireland
BY RALPH NEVILLE, ESQ.

BY RALPH NEVILLE, ESQ. -
In the autumn of 1896, British frigate
ay at anchor in one of the many noble but
lnfrequented harbors which indent the
western coast of Ireland. ~
The morning mists had cleared her hull
and were still curling amongst the rigging,
when, as four bells struck, boat pushed
bf from the ship, and pulled stoutiy for
The shore. In addition to the usual crew,
he boat carried the fret lieutenant, going
bn visit to Col. Blake, of Dnnseyerick
Castle, for the se-shooting, and his
|ailor- servant jim. Having been continu-
ally at sea from his twelfth year, the young
officer had hitherto had no opportunity of
Enjoying that first of field sports fox hunt
ng always excepted) in which he was then
hbOut to engage, and the anticipated plea
ure, combined with the fineness of the day
md the magnifcence of the mountain
cenery by which he was surrounded, raised
lis spirits to the highest pitch, and made
lim for the moment the happiest of men.
distinguished officer at twenty three,
laying no cares and abundance of money
lways at his dispOsAl Lloyd RsnRant; had
ever taesea any sf iIfess tlnahies aassI HIS
ime passed gaily on, occupied with she
luties of g profession which he loved, and
n the society of messmates, with whom he
was an universal favorite.
AS the boat proceeded on it's way, the
Eailor who pulled the bow oar occasionally
poke in an undertone to the servant, who
bat close behind him; and when they were
about to part, he said in an authoritative
md half menacing manner, I" Mind what
old you, and don't make a blowed fool of
yourself N
Well, Jim, my man, what's to be done
bow n said the young officer, when they
we're left on shore; "do Won know where
about this castle lies, and by what route
we are to reach it ~ 80
"Not exactly, sir; but the servant who
brought you the letter told me that it lay
right away to the eastwards; and if we
follow this path leading over the noun
tains, until we reach the top, we must get
"a sightsof it-as 1 think" -
"Come along, then-let's lose no time, -
and Pennant, throwing his gun on his
shoulder, led the way at n pace correspond
ing more with his own impatience than
with the comfort of his rather heavily laden
follower.
. Well, he soliloguizcd as he went along
sit was kind hearted of Harry Bingham to
come see me the very day of the Racers
arrival, and to get me an invitation FROM
his uncle, too, compliment, l understand
rarely paid to any stranger. But, after all
why should be surprised at his good ma
ture? Haven't we sailed and fought to-
gether, and what friendly ties can equal
those, / shalt now see something of li4s
on shore. / shall spin yarn with my OLE
messmate, and most likely meet his sister
almost considerher an acquaintance
wonder if she be as pretty and~accOm
plished as have figured her to be in m,
own imagination hope / shan't be late
though; I'm getting menstrous hungry, bu
to be left behind would be worse than losing
my breakfast"
Hoy, JIM" he exclaimed, as, turning
an angle of the path, he gazed in admira
tion on the mountains and lOwlands whicl
lay around and below him, "here we are
now where's the castle :"
There, yer honor, there" replied tn
sailor, pointing to large and sombre-loOk
ing building some few miles Off" there
lies; that is, I think yon must be it, fror
an have heard say, But l see som
houses yondeT, and if yer honor waits wit
tne pOEtmantle I'll just run over to tber
Jim went off at full speed towards
cluster of trees and large hawthorn bushes
sheitered from the ocean winds by tn
mountain, and amidst which the wall of
cottage was partially disceTnable. He tar
ned longer than his master >considere
needtui, and when within earshot was i'm
panently hailed, and comma nded to haste
ms speed. "What delayed you, man 2
shai u! certainly be late. Well, what do the
sayY"
:, found the cabin a ruin, sir, and not
llVing sonl near it-and so pretty a cabi
Ss II was, too. l wonder any one had tn
heart to unroof it.r
:, And what have 1 to say to that, man
lou went to inquire the direction to Dun
seNetlek Castle, and instead of doing
SSa remain moping about the empty wal
nowf"