The Martins of Cro'Martin . imewore on, a dreamy indistinctness seemed to spread itself overthe memory of her former life: it appeared little other than amind-drawn picture. Nothing actual or tangible remained toconvince her of its reality. It was only at rai^e intervals, andin the very clearest weather, the outline of the mountains ofthe mainland could be seen, and when she did behold them, theybrought only some vague recollection to her: and so, too, thememories of her once home came through the haze of distance,dim and indistinct. It was at the close of a day in June that the Joyces sat inf
The Martins of Cro'Martin . imewore on, a dreamy indistinctness seemed to spread itself overthe memory of her former life: it appeared little other than amind-drawn picture. Nothing actual or tangible remained toconvince her of its reality. It was only at rai^e intervals, andin the very clearest weather, the outline of the mountains ofthe mainland could be seen, and when she did behold them, theybrought only some vague recollection to her: and so, too, thememories of her once home came through the haze of distance,dim and indistinct. It was at the close of a day in June that the Joyces sat infront of the little cabin, repairing their nets, and getting theirtackle in readiness for the sea. For some time previous theweather had been broken and unfavourable. Strong west windsand heavy seas—far from infrequent in these regions, even inmidsummer—-had rendered fishing impracticable; but now, theaspect of a new moon, rising full an hour before sunset, gavepromise of better, and old Joyce had got the launch drawn up. THE BRANNOCK ISLANDS. 619 on shore to refit, and sails were spread out upon the rocks todry, and coils of rope, and anchois, and loose spars littered thelittle space before the door. The scene was a busy, and not aaunpicturesque one. There was every age, from the oldest tovery infancy, all active—all employed. Some were caulkingthe seams of the boat, others overhauled sails and cordage,some were preparing the nets, attaching cork floats or sinkers,and two chubby urehins, mere infants, laughing, fed the firethat blazed beneath a laige pitch-pot, the light blue smokerising calmly into the air, and telling those far away that thelone rock was not without inhabitants. To all seeming, thesesigns of life and habitation had attracted notice, for a small boatwhich had quitted Innishmore for the mainland some timebefore, now altered her course, and was seen slowly bearing uptowards the Brannocks. Though the sea was calm and wave-less, the wind was only suflicient
Size: 1211px × 2064px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherlondonchapmanandha
