Page 181 - The snake's pass

MY NEW PROPERTY. — 169
carried away by tlie first rush. There had evidently been
a considerable accumulation of water just behind the
bank and at the first rush this swept through the cutting
;
and washed it clean. Then the bog at the top, and the
water in the middle, and the ooze below all struggled for
the opening. I could see that the soft part of the bog
actually floated. Naturally the water got away first.
The bog proper, which was floating, jammed in the
opening, and the ooze began to drain out below it. Of
course, this was only the first rush ; it will be running
for days before things begin to settle ; and then we shall
be able to make some openings in the bog and see if
my theories are tenable, in so far as the solidifica-
tion is concerned. I am only disappointed in one
thing."
"
" What is that ?
" That it will not enlighten us much regarding the bog
at Shleenanaher, for I cannot find any indication here
of a shelf of rock such as I imagine to be at the basis of
the shifting bog. If I had had time I would like to have
made a cutting into some of the waste where the bog had
originally been. I daresay that Joyce would let me try
now if I asked him."
I had my own fun out of my answer :
" Oh ! I'm sure he will ; but even if he won't let you
now, he may be inclined to in a month or two when
things have settled down a bit."
His answer startled me.
" Do you know, Art, I fear it's quite on the cards