THE FAMILY OF GLENCARRA.-No. II.

BY SIDNEY O'MOORE.

For three weeks the persecuted convert remained under the protection of the minister's family at Ballina. Her parents loved her sincerely, and had only resorted to harsh measures in order to save her from everlasting perdition, which they believed would be her award if she remained a heretic. Her absence left a void in their hearts, and their home seemed desolate without her cheerful voice and sunny smile. On the third Sunday after her departure, they went to the minister's house, and asked her to return with them, promising to be more lenient in future in their efforts to reclaim her from Protestantism.

Scarcely two months had elapsed after Aileen's return, before the rebellion burst forth, and she was summoned by her grandmother to attend us in our wanderings. Never were people more fortunate in their guide. She watched and tended us like an affectionate elder sister, from the moment we arrived in the cave, until we returned in peace to Glencarra.

Early on the morning after we had rejoined Aileen, my sister Lily and I, with youthful impatience, ran up the earthen steps to ascertain whether day had yet dawned. A most beautiful view presented itself as we climbed the outer hedge of the rath. At some distance below us the calm waters of Lough Alich reflected

countless stars; which richly inlaid, what I then believed to be, the floor of heaven. In dark contrast, beyond the lake rose the massive form of Mount Nephin, standing in majestic chieftainship at the head of ranges of hills behind hills which stretched away to the right, to the extreme verge of the horizon; like Young's

Joy behind joy, in endless perspective."

Wavy clouds like snow-flakes formed a back-ground to the dark, dim outlines of the mountains: the deep silence of night wrapped all in sublimity.

The fresh memory of early life often daguerotypes scenes, which, at a later period, would leave but a faint impression, quickly erased by daily contact with the realities of life.

Our mother was gifted with an exquisite perception of the beauties of nature, and she had cultivated the same faculty in our minds from our earliest infancy. In silence, mingled with childish awe, we contemplated the shadowy trees, and faintly gleaming grass at our feet; then looking across the black moorland to the starry waters and resplendent sky, I remembered the lines

'O Thou who dwell'st in the heavens high,
Above the stars, and in yon sky,
Where the dazzling fields never need the light
Of the sun by day, nor the moon by night..

Though shining millions around Thee stand,
For the sake of Him at thy right hand,
Oh think on those thou hast still left here,
To wander in danger, doubt, and fear.

'Our night is dreary, and dim our day,
And if thou turn thy face away,
We are feeble, helpless, sinful dust-
And have none to look to, none to trust."

Our mother had often taught us to repeat this midnight Cameronian Hymn, when looking at the starry glories of a winter's sky. She always endeavoured to lead our minds from each beautiful scene to the Divine hand by which it had been so wondrously wrought. This custom we have found so beneficial in after-years, that I am convinced mothers cannot too early adopt a plan so suitable to immortal beings, so productive of intellectual enjoyment. He who can trace the love of a beloved Father shining through the varied loveliness of His creation, finds a brighter halo, a light from eternity, shed over the beauties of nature, which illuminates them more than the most glowing sunshine, while it inuses rejoicing sentiments of gratitude into his own spirit.

The silent stillness of the scene was broken by an exclamation from Lily, who pointed to a dark mass moving in the distance. We instantly fled, like startled hares. A few minutes afterwards, a party of rebels drew near, and from the steps we could distinctly overhear their conversation, particularly as they all spoke in a loud tone.

'Andy,' said the first, 'did you see something white runnin along towards the ould trees. May be somebody's afther hiding in the rath.'

Faix, if you think so, you'd better try with your own two eyes,' replied Andy, 'for sorra bit o' me will go nigh the fort this blessed night. I know better nor to catch the good people * at their purty dance in the moonlight, and have them puttin their curse on me for my pains.'

'If you're such an omadthaun as to be afeard of them, I'll go myself,' said the first speaker.

* i. e. Fairies. But the peasants never call them such, lest they should overhear, and feel annoyed by the term.

At this moment we joyfully recognized the voice of Owen Rua, exclaiming, 'Never heed him, Captain, I'll take the throuble off yer shoulders, and if any one's in it, I'll track him, never fear.'

Owen instantly proceeded to examine every part of the bramble-covered fosse, but the moment his companions had passed on out of sight, he crept down the steps into the cave, where we lurked, trembling at our recent danger. In a few words he warned us to exercise greater caution; promised to return with black Cormac in the course of the day; informed us that he must instantly quit the cave in order to evade suspicion; and then hurried after his comrades who were marching to join General Humbert's troops in Ballina.

The hours wore heavily away, despite the innumerable legends and tales of Old Mabel. She told us of an evil spirit which often appeared to the traveller in the shape of a turkey-cock, and then transforming itself into a hedge-hog, rolled before him on the way. She told us of subterranean palaces inhabited by 'the good people,' who, by splendid feasts in their resplendent halls, try to allure mortals to partake of their beverages, and thus for ever forfeit the privilege of returning to earth. She told us of phookas, which bear the unwary in a hazardous midnight career over rushing rivers, and sleeping towns, through briars and forests, moorlands and mountains. She told us also about Ceprachauns and various other ideal beings, whose existence appears an absurdity to educated intellect, although accounted a reality by the peasantry of our rural districts, who believe in such spirits more firmly than in Holy Writ. Indeed this is not to be wondered at, for their powers of imagination and credulity are extreme, and the Holy Book has been studiously excluded from their inspec

tion. However, it has now reached them in their beloved native language, and daily experience proves that no prohibition, no persecution can control the avidity with which, through that cherished channel, they seek the word of God. Soon, therefore, must the innumerable phantoms of superstitious credulity glide away before the blaze of gospel truth.

Mabel herself believed all her own legends most firmly, and in childhood I was half tempted to believe some of them for the moment; so circumstantially were they narrated, and so many witnesses were adduced. However, exciting as her stories were, we were well pleased when Owen and Cormac Dhu came to remove us from our temporary abode. Its vicinity to Mr. V.'s mansion, of which the rebels had taken possession, rendered a longer sojourn perilous. We never again re-entered the cave.*

Owen undertook to conduct us to the Abbey of Moyne, where we were to be joined by Mabel, who was lame from recent injury, and was consequently obliged to travel in her grandson's cart. She had no apprehensions on her own account from the insurgent army, and therefore continued her route directly through Ballina. We intended to pursue a more circuitous course, and turned from the highway at the Carragh More, or great rock set on end. This monument has given its name to the adjoining land, and still exists unchanged by the lapse of centuries which have passed

* During the absence of the family to whom it belonged, the entrance was filled up by the peasants, who thought the fairies would be better pleased to have it in undisturbed possession. The present proprietor perfectly remembers having visited it in childhood, but though she has made many ineffectual attempts, she has never been able to discover the opening. The workmen who knew the spot, would not inform her, lest they die within the year.