Page:Through South Westland.djvu/145



all our straying it was very pleasant to be guided in safety to a night’s resting-place. Candles and lanterns flitted out of the house, held by dark figures, and kind Irish voices bade us welcome, and lamented over me: “Sure you must be tired out; we’ve been looking for you all the afternoon; however did ye miss the track?” I was led in and divested of hat and knapsack, and we were soon sitting down to a hot tea-supper. Everyone wanted to talk, and we could hardly get on with our eating. At last the mother ordered silence: “Let them alone, can’t you—till they’ve done, and then we’ll talk.” I really was a novelty down there—the first lady traveller—and they could not do enough for me; I hope they knew I was grateful.

When morning came we found we were in a valley, among the usual high-forest-covered hills,