The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1877-06-29
THE LEGEND OF THE LAMP.

n
cannot speak with certainty as tc
the exact period of time to which the
story 1 am about to relate appertains
but it was in those days long gone by
when the fair land was divided among
many rulers, and during time when q
dreadful pestilence made the stoutest
heart quail with fear Late on a win
ter's evening a young chieftain, accom-.
panied by several armed followers, stop.
ped before the habitation of an aged
man, who had sought and found protec-
tion for himself and child upon the hos,
pitable shore of Innisfallen. The island
was then held by an O'Donough, prince
of Loeb Tein, ehieftain who was (like
several others) exempt from the payment
of tribute to the great Mccarthy The
leader of the daring band that had ven
tured to invade the island of Innisfallen
was Scanlan of the Glen, and the fugi.
tive before whose habitation they stood
was one OF the once powerful race of the
O'Sullivans. The story goes that the
old man had failed to aid The Ma
earthly" in recent quarrel with neigh
boring chief, consequently had broken
the tenure by which he held his domains,
and fearing the vengeance of the mighty
monarch, had fled, with all his wealth,
to the O'Donoghue for protection.
The armed party were clamorOus in
their demands for admission, and, as the
door of the old mans dwelling was not
Immediately opened, they were prepar-
ing to force it, when the bars were re.
moved and Scanlan and his party were
admitted. Upon their entrance there
rushed from an adjoining Apartment a
young ana lovely maiden, who flung her
self into Scanian's arms, exclaiming in
joyful accents:
Is it you, my dear Desmond? All
1 have so long expected you, and watched
your coming from the western shore,
long after sundewn."
The words had scarcely escaped her
lips, when she started back in terror, for
the bright steel of the chieftain's sword
caught her eye and sent chill through
her young heart. She looked at the
stranger, and sinking upon a seat, ex-
claimed
"Great heaven, it is not Desmond
We are betrayed"
"True, fair maiden, l am not young
Desmond, the handsome hunter of the
hills, neither do l bring rich presents to
my affianced bride, the beauteous SaOva.
| am Scanlan of the Glen, and am here
to execute the orders of my feudal SOW
ereign, the great Mccarthy Nor"
"To thy chamber, daughter p ex-
claimed O'Sullivan, who had been unob-
served by the party; ' am sufficient,
should think, to do the honors of the
house to this base minion of a baser
tyrant."
" Reproaches are but as words given
idly to the wind" replied the young
chieftain; " for from this moment
neither you nor any that claim your
kindred can call house or land your
own. bear a commission to seize your
persons, and your goods are confscated."
"YOu must be mad, young man ?"
vociferated O'Sullivan, raising his lamp
to the face of the denouncer. know
you not that we are under tie protection
of the Prince O'Donoghue, who has
already punished more than one proud
chief who has dared to molest those to
whom he grants prOtection2 Home,
boy, nor dare to put this foolish trick
upon me, or 1 may punish you as you
deserve"
Well, Sir Traitor, we must cen put
your threats to the proof; so do your
duty, comrades seize that old dotard
he is your prisoner, and his wealth the
booty due our liege lord as idemnifca-
ton for his refusal to aid his cause
against the Red O'Connor."
The followers of Scanlan obeyed, and
bound the old man hand and foot, and
fancied the whole affair must be dream,
for the proceedings had been conducted
with so much secrecy and quiet that the
reality fell like thunderbolt upon its
victim.
SaCva, who had crept to her fathers
side during the loud war of words, ap-
peared rooted to the spot, and bent an
eve OF vacancy upon the mailed figure of
the chieftain Scanlan, while her father
from time to time uttered cries of agony
and despair, exolaiming. Just heaven
what will become of US? ?"
"A question soon answered" f" replied
the chief of the glen; "you, old man,
as the head of your race. are doomed to
die the death of all traitors; and your
child, with all of her sex bearing your
name, or claiming kindred with you, are
to be driven from the land"
"Great Godl driven from their hearth
and home % exclaimed the old man,
wringing his corded hands.
I" Yes, even from this moment"
Saova, ON hearing this terrible de-
cree, started from the state of apathy
into which she had fallen, suddenly
seized Scanlan's mailed arm with a con-
vulsed grasp, and fixing her inquiring
eyes upon his face she thus ADDRESSED
him;
4" Young warrior, you surely cannot
have the heart TO enforce this terrible
decree you will not drive the old man
forth to meet the vengeance of an angry
tyrant ?'
The fair pleader never looked more
beautiful than at this moment; her
bosom heaving with contending emotions
while from her full stag like eyes shot
daring and determination. Scanlan,
whose heart was not totally devoid of
feeling, appeared to gaze with interest as
he looked upon the lovely advocate, and
was about to reply, when the harsh voice
of one of his followers reminded him that
he had yet other duties to perform, and
that the orders of the Mccarthy must not
be delayed by those intrusted with their
execution.
"Right," said the young chief; "come,