Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-25
SHAWN, OF THE HAG,s HOLE
ICONTINUED |

Every place where il was thought possible
that he could be concesled was examined. In
quirles were made, but all to no effect, for the
villagers either professed ignorance or refused
to give information. The rocks were tried over
and over again. every nook, every grotto, the
Iedges OF the amphitheatre were searched. even
by tsrchlight, but fruitlessly; and late at night
me police came back, protesting their intention
oi returning TO kilrush on the following day.
On the succeeding Tuesday, about O'Clock
In the evening, took my hand line and went
to faVorite spot on the cliff to fish for braeme
Ihe evening was the close of one of the lowell
est days which had appeared that season The
cool sea-breeze so refreshing after the mid -day
neat, gently TIppled the waters beneath: and
the red disk ef the sun descended rapidly, as if
anxious to cool itselfin the mighty ocean Uav-
ins osen successful with my bats I lay down
upon the grassy edge of the lock to enjoy the
luxury OF the hour. The evening shades had
fsr advanced before rose 10 return homo
when In the act of drawing up the hand-line,
stopped over the cliff to see what prevented
Us yielding, for 1t bad caught in some proiec-
uon OF the cliff, when / perceived a canoe with
Tour men, stealing beneath the land as close TO
snore as safety would permit, and advancing
IN the direction OF Bishops Island. The late
ness OF the hour; the number of persons in the
coat, usually only occupied by two: their dis
rance from any landing place; and the cautious
manner In which they were proceeding, i'm
pressed me forcibly with the idea that all was
not as 1t ought to be. Idle persons are ALWAYS
meddiing in matters which do not conceTn
them; and being young and tolerably active.
and my own master, L resolved at once to OBJ
serve their motions, and ascertain, if possible.
their object.
After some efforts to disengage the line.
vas az last compelled to break it. Coiling up
ne remainder, followed the boat which had
made considerable progress before could come
up with 1t. This line of coast is most danger
Gus 10 persons unacquainted with it The cell
lngs OF old caverns which advance far into the
land have, In many instances fallen in and left
Ions narrow chasns, which person often comes
upon suddenly, not observing them until he is
almest stepping into the depths beneath These
cIeits sometimes extend nearly quarter of a
aiIe, ana are so numerous that what would an
pear at first TO be walk only one mile, ia bv
tais means prolonged to two or three 1t NAV
tnen De easily understood how much more
quickly the canoe would advance than couId
without considerable exertion. The darkness
winch had by this ume much advanced in
creased the difficulty. traced the boat. how
ever, to very near Bishops Island There
the men rested on their oars, and apparently
listened attentively to ascertain if apy soupd
was near They frequently stopped over TO
whisper, their dark figures, perceived against
tSe clear bright sea, approaching each other
NJ intervals aud recedng again. All was so
still that nothing could be heard but the rim
pling of the waters against the rocks below
M
merIng of a flint with knife could be dis,in-
SUlshed, and they looked towards the before
mentioned descent to the cavern opposite the
island several times with apparent anxiety
and uncertainty. They then CONNIE ed steer
ing towards it; and I Immediately FASTENED to
Il, hoping in the darkness to escspe observa.
tiOn. L succeeded beyond my expectations in
reaching the turning point of the path, where
ii may be remembered that first met with
the man OF the high shoulder, when, suddenly,
saw two persons, about ten yards beneath,
STOPPING over the projecting fragments of the
cliff. This light at once stopped my progress
i stood petrifed. While I was thus deliberat
ing, my strength and courage oozing away. 7
was reused by one Of the men ssizng hold eff
the other by the arm, and saying in a loud
whisper
:. Shawn, it is the divil's work intirely; we
had hest give oyer"'
What do you mane2" replied the other.
I" Is it cod-livered ye're growing?'
Why. Shawn, to tell you the truth, can
not murther 'em in cool blood. 1t is the diyips
work cut an out.''
"Thunder-an-age, but that's fine thing
anyhow. Murther, in troth, in cool blood
An will yees tell me what are they going to
2 do with us, II il isn't to murther US all, an
more Of Us than they are. Will they not shoot
sstbem below In the cave that is trusting to our
'selves to save 'em. The diyil a bit Of one of
4 them but shall sleep sweet and aisy in the bot
ton of the say this blessed night An shure
Z they can shoot the fishes wild their pistils if
they want work for 'em. Wbisht. whishti"
said he, seiEing the other as if to hold him
back, as the latter struggled as much as his
position would permit him.
Whisht, whisht, l tell yees; do yees want
to make em shoot us at wanst, man alive? Let
me alone tell yees; 1 will do it.''
And, with kick of his foot, he sent a large
fragment of the rock headlong down the pre-
cipice.
scarcely had we'll seen what was done. ere
a shrek from below told the fate of the unfor-
tunate boat; cry or two for help, and all was
silent as the night, while the two men turned
TO descend the path
Partly from horror, and partly from fright,
] lost the recollection of my situation, and ut
tered an involuntary groan. So unexpected a
sound, in such place, produced an alarming
effect upon my auditors Whether it was COM
FUNCTION for the deed which had seized the
guilty psir, or terror combined with a sense
of gnilt, cannot now pretend to determine;
bat they stood notiOnless for upwards of a
minute BY lyiug close to the surface of the
ground succeeded in escaping their sight
They stood for time utterly confounded I'm
couraged by the effect which il produced, and
now so far collected rs to perceive the danger
of my position, 1 repeated the groan with a
more mournful, and at the same time less ma
tural tone. 80
:" Blessed Virgin, save us :" said Shawn's
companion, dreadfully alarmed i
What are yees frightened at?'' said the
other, evidently as much terrified, but endeav-
oring to brave it out. Are yees a devil or a
christhian-tell us that2' said he, roaring out,
trying with the effort to drown his fears. !
L then collected all my energies, and uttered
one of the most unearthly and violent shrieks
that was ever heard under similar circum-
stances. The effect was instantaneous; the
next moment saw them sliding, or rather roll
ing down the pathway, and allowing me time
sufficient to escape in perfect safety .-
Ny first determination was to hasten back
and arouse the village; but, upon second
thought, it appeared advisable to act more
cautiously. I proceeded, therefore, in all
haste to the house of n respectable resident at
Kilkee, a gentleman who had lived there for
some years, and was well acquainted with the
localities, and most Of the characters in the
neighborhood. reused him out Of his bed at
twelve o'clock, befsre VII ch hour could Ne
resch his b Juss. owing t. the darkness Of the
night, and the caution necessary in finding my
way. He listened with great attention; and
g. Al haor haH in thon vht