Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-03-06
THE DEVILS SCRAUGH.

,,,he wear 1877 was quartered at Athlone
:. ~ County Westmsath, Ireland. 1t Is not
IL, =" ,oilitary station-for an Irish ones
.i.Iv for a man who cares for outdoor
-. There are good fishing and boating
Tough Rec and by the kindness Of the
'.dovners Of the neighborhood, many day.
III 'I .hooting OF miscellaneous kind may be
so,sr the interminabls boys that lie all
' 1sound enjoyed myself greatly, having a
VI for solitary shooting excursions, and
min, that uncertainty as to what bird or
.d,,ned would next rise from the heather.
q Ysich / chiefly to b. found in Irish sport.
nsnsrslly. | started on such expeditions
.,oca ave for the company Of a smart
rmna eossoon Of the town, Peter Farrell
I, name who, having been born with the
',,ionsl love Of shooting and fishing.
-. only too glad TO accompany me for Q
.,unal consideration, and make himself
...,ul In pointing out the "mearnes" which
Svtled the property of different owners,
..,sti,pes consisting in q narrow trench
,uDuipe for miles through hog, and some
,m,, Of an imaginary line. which had to
.c,ut in faith not being able to see trace
a i for myself. He also carried my game
hss and would think nothing Of twelve
MIA tramp over spongy bog land with a
.ounl. OF hares over his shoulder aud full
bag at bis side.
6ue November afternoon we had gone
farther abroad than usual, and reached bog
an which had never been before. Peter
declared be knew it well, but rather doubted
N. aaten,ent We had had a very fair days
mort, and it was getting time to think Of re-
turning home, as the short winter daylight
vm drawing to close. had an idea that a
short cut might be made to reach the high
road by holding due northwest course, but
Peter inclined to southwesterly one. The
,rgu nent ran high. when at length we dis
cerned cottage with matched roof at the
bottom Of hollow where the high bog land
Joped downwards to the bank Of stream.
| sent Peter down to the cottage to in
ouire the way, and meanwhile directed
Inv steps toward little pool of water, some
100 yards in diameter, which perceived at
siew furlongs of, and on which | hoped to
surprise stray teal or wild duck. Sure
enough there was flock of the former birds
feeding In fancied security near the edge,
selected stunted thorn bush growing on the
margin as good shelter behind which to ap-
preach them unperceived. and began steathily
advancing under its cover. The pond was
surrounded by a large patch Of light green
moss; and as soon as | stepped upon it be-
came aware that 1t was what is called, in
Irish parlance, shaking scraugh; - that is
bay, the water was here covered only by
6atng mass Of weeds and peat moss, closely
interaced and forming a curious combina-
ton that was neither bog nor yet terra firma.
Asyou walk upon such place it sinks be-
heath you and you see wave running along
before you just as when you shake O carpet.
However, there is generally little danger of
breaking through. SO closely matted are the
dbers, and l advanced with caution, bent on
having my shot. Suddenly, without the least
warning, my foot went through, and in an in
fans Twas up to my neck in the black, peaty
water beneath. just keeping my head above the
surface by the bearing my outspread arms
bad on the moss. 1t was terrible situation,
Homes sank, no power on earth could save
NET would be like drowning under ice.
only that, Ice being transparent, there would
asoms hope OF being cut out In that case.
am here, under the messy blanket, absolutely
none | shouted at the top my voice for
lelp, bat with painful conviction that il it
ua come within three minutes it would |
esoo hte, as felt myself slowly sinking.
ouodenly felt something thrust through |
zoe cotar OF my coat from behind, and heard |
smans voice saying coolly: II have a good |
u u0n Oh 70 with the graip now, your honor;
you make good offer at it, you can |
scramble outl"
most comforting were the words In nv
.ie's@ case 1 made violent struggle, |
y, ,Su'ously assisted by my unknown friend
'o n,s .gralp" IA sort of three pronped |
, IS mnicn he had inserted under inv col
~, ine cloth held; and scrambled on to
49,, ANseS, AID In that ignominious position.
..'u iiy clothes streaming with black water
aebog " kiouiio Oh
ausaa then, your honor Is ba..ly Off for
rAh when you must look for 1t in the DeviI,s
%laughF said my preserver. az I tu,nad m
lux nlm in the face
h III was was a strong, burly, Irish peasant, clad
,,t inv s's'u'ne that is now rapidly becoming
knss ~ cn'mney pot hat, frieze coat,
NJ, eeones and gray worsted stockings
b,,y s s~a,s were striking. thought-bushy
sOs. oo'ows meeting each other over the
N, say Keen eyes; mouth that seemed
t,h,n 1aght line drawn across the face so
,au hin, ,; we're the lips compressed; and square
bsr nn0, ). weeks growth of bristly black
Dan vo upon 1t Altogether, not the sort of
:. y ~. sm would care to have for an enemy.
| ~ iea ~ very grateful to you,n said
when you had not pulled me out
hav ~. uu did, l could not possibly
nlpn,.s ~ my head above water five
povida, "nger. 1t seems like a special
NC NO. Your graip." ' ''n 'neie
lsiDst' yer scowled, and his face became
sipr ~" than ever II saw your eossoon
said 81 'ue NIL to the cottage beyont,n
heres M suppose it was to ask the way.
soat 70, n que iiVcs there hut myself. 30 he
pabask ,, "acn by his walk. II you want to
here vhs.. A'nion", just cross over the bog
rlyOun ~. you see the tree growing its lone.
he draw;n ss''Ae the road. No!n-as he saw
hcSet-arss.,mY purse from my saturated
lion M Through O'Byien wants money
salnr scran ' God forbid! When you see a
BRADY n st again, maybe you won't be
,shastiiyS so venture on It'll" wnereat he gave
sgaip ovs. VI u cluckle and walked off, with
p The ,o,, us shoulder, just as Peter came
sse their f,'u surprised me, as the Irish
Mst tue onr,a'. 'e Vi curiosity, and rarely
'afa they rat unity OF asking questions
Inv, aga chance. Peters face of dis
ID ny nev e. Saw my wet clothes, the lake,
s''a1ed to loot ssequaintance, was a study. |
any inmers;o,no r my gun, which l had lost
vat q haste. Out he drew me away in
sae for ever and ,never mind the gun. It's
,%g0ne with anu :. ever. and it's well you're
Soss VEN lns like And sorra a bit Of er ms
ts Aisw' get home to-nigh, a, ~, ~ Inc