Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-01-27
CAVE OF THE SEVEN SISTERS.
AN IRISH LEGEND.

VA ' Ia VI lllI CI Elm D1O1I1SDs
| AN IRISH LEGEND.
Tie locality which was the scene Of the fol.
lowing tragedy is the little village of Ballybu-
nion, situated within few miles of Kerry
Head, Ireland The scenery around is of the
widest and most striking description. Frown-
ing rugged cliffs, rising abruptly out of the
water to the height of over one hundred feet,
and perforated with numerous caves, into
which the ocean rushes with fearful fury in
winter; for it is a stormy coast, and rarely does
month pass without beholding some dead,
purified body washed ashore; while inland q
barren, uncultivated plain, consisting mostly Of
bog, stretches away to nearly the foot Of the
Rocks, which, looming in the distance, seem
to rear their giant masses even to the sky, and
form, as it were, an impenetrable barrier be-
tween the coast and the interior. On the brink
Of one of those precipices we have mentioned,
there stands the ruins of a castle, seemingly
of great antiquity. Nothing now remains but
the basement story, and that seems as If it
would be able to Withstand the war of wind
and waves for hundreds of years longer. -
| According to the legend, the castle was in.
| habited by gallant chieftnin at the period Of
the incursions of the Danes, and who was the
father Of seven blooming daughters. He was
himself great warrior, animated with the
greatest hatred against the Ostmen, who, at
that period, were laying every part Of Erin in
waste. His sword never rested in ito sheath;
aud day and night bis light galleys cruised
about the coast on the watch for any piratical
marauder who might turn his Prov thither.
One day . sail was observed on the horizon;
it came nearer and nearer, and the pirate stan.
dard was distinguished waving from ito mast.
head. Immediately surrounded BY the Irish
chips, it was captured after desperate resis-
tance. Those that remained Of the crew were
slaughtered and thrown into the sea, with the
who were reserved for more painful DEATH
Conveyed 70 the fortress, their wounds weps
dressed, and they were allowed the free range
Of the castle. Here, gradually, love sprung
up between them and the seven Irish maidens,
who yielded to their ardent protestatiops, and
agreed to fly with them to Denmark. Every
thing was arranged for the voyage, and q fear
fal stormy night in winter was chosen for the
attempt. Not single star shone in the sky,
the cold blast came sweeping from the ocean,
the rain fell in torrents. and the waters foared
and ragged with terrific violence amid the rocky
caverns. Escaping down the battlemsns by
rope ladder, they discovered to their horror that
on reaching the ground they were surrounded
by armed men. Not word was uttered; but
they well knew into whose hands they had
fallen. slt as
Conducted again within the fortress, they
found themselves face to face with their injured
father. One deadly glance Of hatred be cast
on the prisoners, and, muttering some few
words to one Of bic attendants, he pointed to.
wards his Daughters. The men, on receiving
the command, reeoiled few paess, tsans6xe1
with horror; and then he advanced nearer, and
seemed - If demonstrating with him. But The
parents face assumed an absolutely demoniac
expression: and moro peremptorly repeating
his order, he stalked out Of the room. And
now commenced fearful scena The lovers
were torn from each others arms, and the wo.
men were brought forth again. The storm had
grown more violent, and the spray was dash.
ing far over the cliff, whilst the vivid hashes
Of lightning afforded horrible illumination to
the dreary scene. Proceeding along the brink
Of the psecipice, they At length came TO chasm
which resembled somewhat the crater Of
volcano, ~ it was completely closed, with The
exception Of the opening at The Top, and one
small aperture below, through which the sea
rushed with fearful violence. The rolling Of
the waters sounded fearfu!ly on the ear Of
those around, and now At length the sisters
devined their fate. One by one they ware hurl-
ed into the boiling food; one wild shsiek-the
pillows closed again-and all was over. What
the fate Of their lovers was, the legend s.ys
not. The old castle has crumbled into ruins;
the chieitain sleeps in IN unknown grave; bic
very name forgotten; but still the cad ending
of the maidens is remembered, and even unto
this day the cavern 10 denominated the "Caye
Of the Seven Sistess." So aa