Page 227 - The snake's pass

BOG-FISHIXG AND SCHOOLING. 215
Even with the unusual amount of rain which we have
had lately, the flow or drain of water from the bog is
not constant ; it does not follow the rains as I expected.
There seems to be some process of silting, or choking,
or damming up the walls of what I imagine to be the
different sections or reservoirs of the bog. I cannot
make it out, and it disturbs me; for if the same pro-
cess goes on at Knockcalltecrore, there might be any
kind of unforeseen disaster in case of the shifting of the
bog. I am not at all easy about the way Murdock is
going on there. Ever since we found the indication of
iron in the bog itself, he has taken every occasion when
I am not there to dig away at one of the clay banks
that jut into it. I have warned him that he is doing a
very dangerous thing, but he will not listen. To-morrow,
when I go up, I shall speak to him seriously. He went
into G-alway with a cart the night before last, and was
to return by to-morrow morning. Perhaps he has some
game on. I must see what it is."
Before we parted for the night we had arranged to
go together in the morning to Knockcalltecrore, for of
course I had made up my mind that each day should
see me there.
In the morning, early, we drove over. We left Andy,
as usual, in the boreen at the foot of the hill, and
walked up together. I ,left Dick at Murdock' s gate,
and then hurried as fast as my legs could carry me to
Joyce's.
Norah must have had wonderful ears. She heard