I tried to speak to them, but I
could not make myself heard, so I sat down on the slip and drew out
my wallet of photographs. In an instant I had the whole band
clambering round me, in their ordinary mood.
When the curaghs came back--one of them towing a large kitchen table
that stood itself up on the waves and then turned somersaults in an
extraordinary manner--word went round that the ceannuighe (pedlar)
was arriving.
He opened his wares on the slip as soon as he landed, and sold a
quantity of cheap knives and jewellery to the girls and the younger
women. He spoke no Irish, and the bargaining gave immense amusement
to the crowd that collected round him.
I was surprised to notice that several women who professed to know
no English could make themselves understood without difficulty when
it pleased them.
'The rings is too dear at you, sir,' said one girl using the Gaelic
construction; 'let you put less money on them and all the girls will
be buying.'
After the jewellery' he displayed some cheap religious
pictures--abominable oleographs--but I did not see many buyers.
I am told that most of the pedlars who come here are Germans or
Poles, but I did not have occasion to speak with this man by
himself.
I have come over for a few days to the south island, and, as usual,
my voyage was not favourable.
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