Wichita eagle., 1888-01-11
THE DEVILS SCRAUGH.

In the year 1877 was quartered at Atbone.
In the County Westmeath Ireland. 1t is not
a bad military station-for an Irish ones
pecally for a man who cares for outdoor
sports. There are good fishing and boating
on Lough Rec: and by the kindness OF the
landowners of the neighborhood many day:
good shooting of miscellaneous kind may be
had over the intelIninable bogs that lie all
around enjoyed myself greatly, having a
taste for solitary shooting excursions, and
liking that uncertainty as to what bird or
quadruped would next rise from the heather,
which is chiefly to be found in Irish sport.
Generally, l started on such expeditions
alone, save for the company Of smart
young gossoon of the town, Peter Farrell
by name, who, having been born with the
national love of shooting and fishing.
was only too glad to accompany me for a
nominal consideration, and make himself
useful in pointing out che 'mearneS" which
divided the property of different owners,
sometimes consisting in a marrow trench
running for miles through bog, and some
times of an imaginary line which | had to
accept III faith not being able TO see trace
of it for myself. He also carried my game
bag, and would think nothing of twelve
mile tramp over spongy bog land with a
couple of hares over his shoulder aud full
bag at his side.
One November afternoon we had gore
farther abroad than usual and reached bog
on which / he'd never been before. Peter
declared ne knew ii well. but rather doubted
the statement. We had had a very fair days
sport, and il was getting time TO think of re-
turning home, as the short winter daylight
was drawing to a close. | had an idea that
short cut might be made to reach the high
road by holding due northwest course, but
Peter inclined to southwesterly one The
argument ran high, when at length we dis
cerned a cottage with thatched roof at the
bottom of q hollow where the high bog land
sloped dOwnwardS to the bank of a stream,
| sent Peter down to the cottage to in
quire the way, and meanwhile directed
nv steps toward little pool Of water, some
100 yards in diameter, which | perceived at
few furlongs off. and on which | hoped to
surprise a stray teal or wild duck. Sure
enough there was a flock of the former birds
feeding in fancied security near the edge |
selected stunted thorn bush growing on the
margin as a good shelter behind which to ap-
proach them unperceived, and began steathily
advancing under its cover The pond was
surrounded by large patch of light green
moss; and as soon as / stepped upon it l be-
came aware that it was what is called. in
Irish parance, shaking scraugh:r that is
to say, the water was here covered only by a
floating mass of weeds and peat moss, closely
interlaced and forming a curious combina-
tion that was neither bog nor yet terra firma
As you walk upon such place it sinks be-
meath you and you see a wave running along
before you just as when you shake a carpet
However, there is generally little danger Of
breaking through. so closely matted are the
fibers, and | advanced with caution, bent on
having my shot. Suddenly, without the least
warning, my foot went through, and in an in
stant was up to my neck in the black, peaty
water beneath, just keeping my head above the
surface by the bearing my outspread arms
had on the moss 1t was a terrible situation!
If once sank, no power on earth could save
met would be like drowning under ice,
only that, ice being transparent, there would
be some hope of being cut out i'm that case;
and here, under the mossy blanket absolutely
none. 7 shouted at the top my voice for
help. but with painful conviction that if it
did not come within three minutes it would
Il
Suddenly felt something thrust through
the collar of my coat from behind, and heard
a mans voice saving coolly: Il have a good
hold on ye with the grpip now, your honor;
if you make a good offer at it, you can
scramble oUtl"
Most comforting were the words. in nv
desperate ease. l made violent struggle,
vigorously assisted By my unknown friend
IL.
drag, which hc had inserted under nv col
larO. The cloth held; and | scrambled on to
my knees, and in that igpominious position,
with my clothes streaming with black water,
reached the comparatively firm ground of
the bog.
"Musha, then, your honor is baLly off for
sport, when you must look for it i'll the Devils
Scraugh!" said my preserver, as turned to
look him in the face.
He was a strong, burly, Irish peasant, clad
in the costume that is now rapidly becoming
extnct-a chimney pot hat, a frieze coat,
knee breecheS and gray worsted stockings.
HIS features were striking L Lthought-buShy
black eyebrows meeting each other over the
nose: gray keen eyes; a mouth that seemed
like a straight line drawn across the face. so
tightly were the lips compressed; and a square
chin. with a weeks growth of briStly black
beard upon it. Altogether, hot the sort Of /
man you would care TO have for an enemy /
Il am really very grateful TO you," said .
L If you had not pulled ne out
when You did, could not possibly .
have kept my head above water five
minutes longer. 1t seems like a special .
providence that you should have been there
with your graip."
My preserver scowled, and his face became
less inviting than ever. u saw your gossoon
going down the hill to the cottage beyont,"
ne said. Il suppose il was TO ask the way
There's 10 one lives there hut myself so he
won't get much by his walk. II you want TO
get back to Athlone, just cross over the bog
here where You see the tree growing its lone,
md you'll strike the road. No!'-as lie saw
ne drawing my purse from my saturated
o'Brien wants money
rom no man: God forbid! When you see a
baking scraugh again, maybe you WON'T be
o ready 10 venture on itr Wnereat be gave
ghastly sort of chuckle and walked OF. with
lis graip over his shoulder, just as Peter came
Ip. The action surprised me, as the Irish
ave their full share of curiosity, and rarely
esist tie opportunity OF asking questions
when they get chance. Peters face OF dis
nav when be saw my wet clothes, the lake,
lnd my new acquaintance, was study. /
wanted TO look for my gun, which / had lost
n my immersion; but he drew me away III
,reat haste
"See now, sir-never mind the gun It's
zone for ever and ever, and its well you're
lot gone with it, Murther'n Irish! did ever
ny enc see the like! And sorra bit of me
Inows il We'll get home tonight at ali at ali,