Andy Davoren's prognostic, so far as the appearance of the weather went,
seemed, at a first glance, to be literally built on ashes. A calm, mild,
and glorious serenity lay upon the earth; the atmosphere was clear and
golden; the light of the sun shot in broad, transparent beams across
the wooded valleys, and poured its radiance upon the forest tops, which
seemed empurpled with its rich and glowing tones. All the usual signs
of change! or rough weather were wanting. Everything was quiet; and a
general stillness was abroad, which, when a sound did occur, caused
it to be heard at an unusual distance. Not a breath of air stirred the
trees, which stood as motionless as if they had been carved of marble.
Notwithstanding all these auspicious appearances, there were visible to
a clear observer of nature some significant symptoms of a change. The
surfaces of pools and rivers were covered with large white bubbles,
which are always considered as indications of coming rain. The dung
heaps, and the pools generally attached to them, emitted a fetid and
offensive smell; and the pigs were seen to carry straw into their sties,
or such rude covers as had been constructed for them.
In the meantime the dinner party in Lindsay's were enjoying themselves
in a spirit quite as genial as his hospitality. It consisted of two
or three country squires, a Captain Dowd--seldom sober--a pair of twin
brothers, named Gumming, with a couple of half sirs--a class of persons
who bore the same relation to a gentleman that a salmon-trout does to
a salmon. The Protestant clergyman of the parish was there--a jocund,
rattling fellow, who loved his glass, his dog, his gun, and, if fame did
not belie him, paid more devotion to his own enjoyments than he did to
his Bible. He dressed in the extreme of fashion, and was a regular dandy
parson of that day. There also was! Father Magauran, the parish priest,
a rosy-faced, jovial little man, with a humorous! twinkle in his blue
eye, and an anterior rotundity of person that betokened a moderate
relish for the convivialities. Altogether it was a merry meeting; and of
the host himself it might be said that he held as conspicuous a place in
the mirth as he did in the hospitality.
“Come, gentleman,” said he, after the ladies had retired to the
withdrawing-room, “come, gentlemen, fill high; fill your glasses.”
“Troth,” said the priest, “we'd put a heap on them, if we could.”
“Right, Father Magauran; do put a heap on them, if you can; but, at all
events, let them be brimmers; I'm going to propose a toast.”
“Let it be a lady, Lindsay, if you love me,” said the parson, filling
his glass.
“Sorra hair I care if it is,” said the priest, “provided she's dacent
and attends her duty; go on, squire; give us her name at once, and don't
keep the parson's teeth watering.”
“Be quiet, reverend gentlemen,” said Lindsay, laughing; “how can a man
speak when you take the words out of his mouth?”
“The Lord forbid we'd swallow them, though,” subjoined the parson; “if
we did, we'd not be long in a state of decent sobriety.”
“Talk about something you understand, my worthy friends, and, allow me
to proceed,” replied the host; “don't you know that every interruption
keeps you from your glass? Gentlemen, I have great pleasure in proposing
the health of my excellent and worthy step-son, who has, after a long
absence, made me and all my family happy by his return amongst us. I
am sure you will all like him when you come to know him, and that the
longer you know him, the better you will like him. Come now, let me
see the bottom of every man's glass uppermost. I do not address myself
directly to the parson or the priest, because that, I know, would be, as
the latter must admit, a want of confidence in their kindness.
“Parson,” said the priest, in a whisper, “that last observation is
gratifying from Lindsay.”
“Lindsay is a gentleman,” replied the other, in the same voice; “and the
most popular magistrate in the barony. Come, then.”
Here the worthy gentleman's health was drank with great enthusiasm,
after which he thanked them in very grateful and courteous terms, paying
at the same time, some rather handsome compliments to the two clergymen
with respect to the appropriate gravity and exquisite polish of their
manners. He saw the rapidity with which they had gulped down the wine,
and felt their rudeness in interrupting Mr. Lindsay, when about to
propose his health, as offensive, and he retorted it upon them with
peculiar irony, that being one of the talents, which, among others, he
had inherited from his mother.
“I cannot but feel myself happy,” said he, “in returning to the roof of
so hospitable a father; but sensible to the influences of religion, as I
humbly trust I am, I must express a still higher gratification in having
the delightful opportunity of making the acquaintance of two reverend
gentlemen, whose proper and becoming example will, I am sure, guide
my steps--if I have only grace to follow it--into those serious and
primitive habits which characterize themselves, and are so decent and
exemplary in the ministers of religion. They may talk of the light of
the gospel; but, if I don't mistake, the light of the gospel itself
might pale its ineffectual fires before that which shines in their
apostolic countenances.”
The mirth occasioned by this covert, but comical, rebuke, fell
rather humorously upon the two worthy gentlemen, who, being certainly
good-natured and excellent men, laughed heartily.
“That's a neat speech,” said the parson, “but not exactly appropriate.
Father Tom and I are quite unworthy of the compliment he has paid us.”
“Neat,” said Father Tom; “I don't know whether the gentleman has a
profession or not; but from the tone and spirit in which he spoke, I
think that if he has taken up any other than that of his church, he
has missed his vocation. My dear parson, he talks of the light of our
countenances--a light that is lit by hospitality on the one hand, and
moderate social enjoyment on the other. It is a light, however, that
neither of us would exchange for a pale face and an eye that seems to
have something mysterious at the back of it.”
“Come, come, Harry,” said Lindsay, “you mustn't be bantering these two
gentlemen; as I said of yourself, the longer you know them the better
you will relish them. They have both too much sense to carry religion
about with them like a pair of hawkers, crying out 'who'll buy, who'll
buy;' neither do they wear long faces, nor make themselves disagreeable
by dragging religion into every subject that becomes the topic of
conversation. On the contrary, they are cheerful, moderately social, and
to my own knowledge, with all their pleasantry, are active exponents of
much practical benevolence to the poor. Come, man, take your wine, and
enjoy good company.”
“Lindsay,” said one of the guests, a magistrate, “how are we to get the
country quiet? Those rapparees and outlaws will play the devil with us
if we don't put them down. That young scoundrel, _Shawn na Middogue_, is
at the head of them it is said, and, it would seem, possesses the
power of making himself invisible; for we cannot possibly come at him,
although he has been often seen by others.”
“Why, what has been Shawn's last exploit?”
“Nothing that I have heard of since Bingham's robbery; but there is none
of us safe. Have you your house and premises secured?”
“Not I,” replied Lindsay, “unless by good bolts and bars, together with
plenty of arms and ammunition.”
“How is it that these fellows are not taken?” asked another.
“Because the people protect them,” said a third; “and because they have
strength and activity; and thirdly, because we have no adequate force to
put them down.”
“All very sound reasons,” replied the querist; but as to _Shawn na
Middogue_, the people are impressed with a belief that he is under the
protection of the fairies, and can't be taken on this account. Even if
they were willing to give him up, which they are not, they dare not
make the attempt, lest the vengeance of the fairies might come down on
themselves and their cattle, in a thousand shapes.”
“I will tell you what the general opinion upon the subject is,” replied
the other. “It seems his foster-mother was a midwife, and that she was
called upon once, about the hour of midnight, to discharge the duties
of her profession toward a fairyman's wife, and this she refused to do
unless they conferred some gift either upon herself personally, or
upon some one whom she should name. Young Shawn, it appears, was her
favorite, and she got a solemn promise from them to take him under their
protection, and to preserve him from danger. This is the opinion of the
people; but whether it is true or not I won't undertake to determine.”
“Come, gentlemen,” said their host, “push the bottle; remember we must
attend the bonfire.”
“So,” said the magistrate, “you are sending us to blazes, Mr. Lindsay.”
“Well, at all events, my friends,” continued Mr. Lindsay, “we must make
haste, for there's little time to spare. Take your liquor, for we must
soon be off. The evening is delightful. If you are for coffee, let us
adjourn to the ladies; and after the bonfire we will return and make a
night of it.”
“Well said, Lindsay,” replied the parson; “and so we will.”
“Here, you young stranger,” said the priest, addressing Woodward, “I'll
drink your health once more in this bumper. You touched us off decently
enough, but a little too much on the sharp, as you would admit if you
knew us. Your health again, sir, and you are welcome among us!”
“Thank you, sir,” replied Woodward; “I am glad to see that you can bear
a jest from me or my father, even when it is at your own expense--your
health.”
“Are you a sportsman?” asked the parson; “because, if you are not, just
put yourself under my patronage, and I will teach you something worth
knowing. I will let you see what shooting and hunting mean.”
“I am a bit of one,” replied Woodward, “but shall be very happy to put
myself into your hand, notwithstanding.”
“If I don't lengthen your face I shall raise your heart,” proceeded, the
divine. “If I don't make a sportsman of you--”
“Ay,” added the priest, “you will find yourself in excellent hands, Mr.
Woodward.”
“If I don't make a sportsman of you:--confound your grinning, Father
Tom, what are you at?--I'll make a far better thing of you, that is, a
good fellow, always, of course, provided that you have the materials in
you.”
“Not a doubt of it,” added Father Tom; “you'll polish the same youth
until he shines like yourself or his worthy father here. He'll give you
a complexion, my boy--a commodity that you sadly want at present.”
The evening was now too far advanced to think of having coffee--a
beverage, by the way, to which scarcely a single soul of them was
addicted. They accordingly got to their legs, and as darkness was
setting in they set out for the village to witness the rejoicings. Young
Woodward, however, followed his brother to the drawing-room, whither he
had betaken himself at an early hour after dinner. Under their escort,
their mother and sister accompanied them to the bonfire. The whole town
was literally alive with animation and delight. The news of the intended
bonfire had gone rapidly abroad, and the country people crowded into
the town in hundreds. Nothing can at any time exceed the enthusiasm with
which the Irish enter into and enjoy scenes like that to which they
now flocked with such exuberant spirits. Bells were ringing, drums were
beating, fifes were playing in the town, and horns sounding in every
direction, both in town and country. The people were apparelled in their
best costume, and many of them in that equivocal description of it
which could scarcely be termed costume at all. Bareheaded and barefooted
multitudes of both sexes were present, regardless of appearances, half
mad with delight, and exhibiting many a frolic and gambol considerably
at variance with the etiquette of fashionable life, although we question
whether the most fashionable fete, of them all ever produced half so
much happiness. Farmers had come from a distance in the country, mounted
upon lank horses ornamented with incrusted hips, and caparisoned with
long-straw back-suggauns that reached from the shoulders to the tail,
under which ran a crupper of the same material, designed, in addition to
a hay girth, to keep this primitive riding gear firm upon the animal's
back. Behind the farmer, generally sat either a wife or a daughter,
remarkable for their scarlet cloaks and blue petticoats; sometimes with
shoes and stockings, and very often without them. Among those assembled,
we cannot omit to mention a pretty numerous sprinkling of that class
of strollers, vagabonds, and impostors with which the country, at the
period of our tale, was overrun. Fortune-tellers, of both sexes, quacks,
cardcutters, herbalists, cow-doctors, whisperers, with a long list
of such cheats, were at the time a prevailing nuisance throughout the
kingdom; nor was there a fair proportion of them wanting here. That,
however, which filled the people with the most especial curiosity,
awe, and interest, was the general report that nothing less than a live
conjurer, who had come to town on that very evening, was then
among them. The town, in fact, was crowded as if it had been for an
illumination; but as illuminations, unless they could be conducted with
rushlights, were pageants altogether unknown in such small remote towns
as Rathfillan, the notion of one had never entered their heads. All
around the country, however, even for many miles, the bonfires were
blazing, and shone at immense distances from every hill-top. We have
said before that Lindsay was both a popular landlord and a popular
magistrate; and, on this account alone the disposition to do honor
to any member of his family was recognized by the people as an act of
gratitude and duty.
The town of Rathfillan presented a scene of which we who live in the
present day can form but a faint conception. Yet, sooth to say, we
ourselves have, about forty years ago, witnessed in remote glens and
mountain fastnesses little clumps of cabins, whose inhabitants stood
still in the midst even of the snail's progress which civilization
had made in the rustic parts of Ireland; and who, upon examination,
presented almost the same rude personal habits, antiquated social
usages, agricultural ignorance, and ineradicable superstition as their
ancestors did in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Lindsay, knowing
how unpopular his wife was, not only among their own tenantry, but
throughout the country at large, and feeling, besides, how well that
unpopularity was merited, very properly left her and Maria to his son
Charles, knowing that as the two last named shared in the good-will
which the people bore him, their mother would be treated with
forbearance and respect so long as she was in their company. He wished,
besides, that Harry should seem to partake of the honor and gratitude
which their enthusiasm would prompt them to pay to himself.
The whole town was one scene of life, bustle, and enjoyment. It was
studded with bonfires, which were surrounded by wild groups of both
sexes, some tolerably dressed, some ragged as Lazarus, and others young
urchins with nothing but a slip of rag tied about their loins “to make
them look jinteel and daicent.” The monster bonfire, however--that which
was piled up into an immense pyramid in honor of the stranger--was not
ignited until the arrival of the quality. The moment the latter made
their appearance it was set in a flame, and in a few minutes a
blaze issued up from it into the air that not only dimmed the minor
exhibitions, but cast its huge glare over the whole town, making every
house and hut as distinctly visible as if it were broad daylight. Then
commenced the huzzaing--the bells rang out with double energy--the drums
were beaten more furiously--the large bullocks' horns were sounded until
those who blew them were black in the face, and every manifestation of
joy that could be made was resorted to. Fiddles and pipes were in busy
requisition, and “The Boys of Rathfillan,” the favorite local air,
resounded in every direction. And now that the master and the quality
had made their appearance, of course the drink should soon follow, and
in a short time the hints to that effect began to thicken.
“Thunder and turf, Jemmy, but this is dry work; my throat's like a
lime-burner's wig for want of a drop o' something to help me for the
cheerin'.”
Hould your tongue, Paddy; do you think the masther's honor would allow
us to lose our voices in his behalf. It's himself that hasn't his heart
in a trifle, God bless him.”
“Ah, thin, your honor,” said another fellow, in tatters, “isn't this
dust and hate enough to choke a bishop? O Lord, am I able to spake at
all? Upon my sowl, sir, I think there's a bonfire in my throath.”
Everything, however, had been prepared to meet these demands; and in
about a quarter of an hour barrels of beer and kegs of whiskey were
placed under the management of persons appointed to deal out their
contents to the thirsty crowds. Then commenced the dancing, whilst the
huzzaing, shouting, jingling of bells, squeaking of fifes, blowing of
horns, and all the other component parts of this wild melody, were once
more resumed with still greater vigor. The great feat of the night,
however, so far as the people were concerned, was now to take place.
This was to ascertain, by superior activity, who among the young men
could leap over the bonfire, when burnt down to what was considered
such a state as might make the attempt a safe one. The circles about the
different fires were consequently widened to leave room for the run,
and then commenced those hazardous but comic performances. As may be
supposed, they proceeded with various success, and occasioned the most
uproarious mirth whenever any unfortunate devil who had overtasked his
powers in the attempt, happened to fail, and was forced to scamper
out of the subsiding flames with scorched limbs that set him a dancing
without music. In fact, those possessed of activity enough to clear them
were loudly cheered, and rewarded with a glass of whiskey, a temptation
which had induced so many to try, and so many to fail. When these
had been concluded about the minor fires, the victors and spectators
repaired to the great one, to try their fortune upon a larger and more
hazardous scale. It was now nearly half burned down, but was still a
large, glowing mass, at least five feet high, and not less than eighteen
in diameter at the base. On arriving there they all looked on in
silence, appalled by its great size, and altogether deterred from so
formidable an attempt.
It would be death to try it, they exclaimed; no living man could do it;
an opinion which was universally acceded to, with one single exception.
A thin man, rather above the middle size, dressed in a long, black coat,
black breeches, and black stockings, constituted that exception. There
was something peculiar, and even strikingly mysterious, in his whole
appearance. His complexion was pale as that of a corpse, his eyes dead
and glassy, and the muscles of his face seemed as if they were paralyzed
and could not move. His right hand was thrust in his bosom, and! over
his left arm he bore some dark garment of a very funereal cast, almost
reminding one of a mortcloth.
“There is one,” said he, in a hollow and sepulchral voice, “that could
do it.” Father Magauran, who was present, looked at him with surprise;
as indeed did every one who had got an opportunity of seeing him.
“I know there is,” he replied, “a sartin individual who could do it;
ay, in troth, and maybe if he fell into the flames, too, he'd only
find himself in his own element; and if it went to that could dance a
hornpipe in the middle of it.”
This repartee of the priest's elicited loud laughter from the
by-standers, who, on turning round to see how the other bore it, found
that he had disappeared. This occasioned considerable amazement, not
unmixed with a still more extraordinary feeling. Nobody there knew him,
nor had ever even seen him before; and in a short time the impression
began to gain ground that he must have been no other than the conjurer
who was said to have arrived in the town that day. In the meantime,
while this point was under discussion, a clear, loud, but very mellow
voice was heard about twenty yards above them, saying, “Stand aside, and
make way--leave me room for a run.”
The curiosity of the people was at once excited by what they had only
a few minutes before pronounced to be a feat that was impossible to be
accomplished. They accordingly opened a lane for the daring individual,
who, they imagined, was about to submit himself to a scorching
that might cost him his life. No sooner was the lane made, and the
by-standers removed back, than a person evidently youthful, tall,
elastic, and muscular, approached the burning mass with the speed, and
lightness of a deer, and flew over it as if he had wings. A tremendous
shout burst forth, which lasted for more than a minute, and the people
were about to bring him to receive his reward at the whiskey keg, when
it was found that he also had disappeared. This puzzled them once more,
and they began to think that, there were more present at these bonfires
than had ever received baptism; for they could scarcely shake themselves
free of the belief that the mysterious stranger either was something
supernaturally evil himself, or else the conjurer as aforesaid, who, by
all accounts, was not many steps removed from such a personage. Of the
young person who performed this unprecedented and terrible exploit they
had little time to take any notice. Torley Davoren, however, who was one
of the spectators, turned round to his wife and whispered,
“Unfortunate boy--madman I ought-to say--what devil tempted him to come
here?”
“Was it him?” asked his wife.
“Whist, whist,” he replied; “let us say no more about it.”
In the meantime, although the youthful performer of this daring feat may
be said to have passed among them like an arrow from a bow, yet it so
happened that the secret of his identity did not rest solely with Torley
Davoren. In a few minutes whisperings began to take place, which spread
gradually through the crowd, until at length the name of _Shawn na
Middogue_ was openly pronounced, and the secret--now one no longer--was
instantly sent abroad through the people, to whom his fearful leap was
now no miracle. The impression so long entertained of his connection
with the fairies was thus confirmed, and the black stranger was no
other, perhaps, than the king of the fairies himself.
At this period of the proceedings Mrs. Lindsay, in consequence of some
significant whispers which were directly levelled at her character,
suggested to Maria that having seen enough of these wild proceedings,
it would be more advisable to return home--a suggestion to which Maria,
whose presence there at all was in deference to her father's wishes,
very gladly consented. They accordingly placed themselves under the
escort of the redoubtable and gallant twins, and reached home in safety.
It was now expected that the quality would go down to the inn, where the
largest room had been fitted up for refreshments and dancing, and into
which none but the more decent and respectable classes were admitted.
There most of the beauties of the town and the adjoining neighborhood
were assembled, together with their admirers, all of whom entered into
the spirit of the festivity with great relish. When Lindsay and his
company were about to retire from the great bonfire, the conductors of
the pageant, who also acted as spokesmen on the occasion, thus addressed
them:
“It's right, your honors, that you should go and see the dancin' in
the inn, and no harm if you shake a heel yourselves, besides taking
something to wash the dust out o' your throats; but when you come out
again, if you don't find a fresh and high blaze before you still, the
devil's a witch.”
As they proceeded toward the inn, the consequences of the drink, which
the crowd had so abundantly received, began, here and there, to manifest
many unequivocal symptoms. In some places high words were going on, in
others blows; and altogether the affair seemed likely to terminate in a
general conflict.
“Father,” said his son Charles, “had you not better try and settle these
rising disturbances?”
“Not I,” replied the jovial magistrate; “let them thrash one another
till morning; they like it, and I make it a point never to go between
the poor people and their enjoyments. Gadzooks, Charley, don't you know
it would be a tame and discreditable affair without a row?”
“Yes; but now that they've got drunk, they're cheering you, and groaning
my mother.”
“Devil's cure to her,” replied his father; “if she didn't deserve it
she'd not get it. What right had she to send my bailiffs to drive their
cattle without my knowledge, and to take duty fowl and duty work from
them whenever my back is turned, and contrary to my wishes? Come in till
we have some punch; let them shout and fight away; it wouldn't fee the
thing, Charley, without it.”
They found an exceedingly lively scene in the large parlor of the inn;
but, in fact, every available room in the house was crowded. Then, after
they had looked on for some time, every eye soon singled out the
pride and beauty of the assembly in the person of Grace Davoren, whose
features were animated into greater loveliness, and her eyes into
greater brilliancy, by the light-hearted spirit which prevailed. She
was dressed in her new drugget gown, had on her new shoes and blue
stockings, a short striped blue and red petticoat, which displayed as
much of her exquisite limbs as the pretty liberal fashion of the day
allowed; her bust was perfection; and, as her black, natural ringlets
fluttered about her milk-white neck and glowing countenance, she not
only appeared inexpressibly beautiful, but seemed to feel conscious
of that beauty, as was evident by a dash of pride--very charming,
indeed--which shot from her eye, and mantled on her beautiful cheek.
“Why, Charles,” exclaimed Woodward, addressing his brother in a whisper,
“who is that lovely peasant girl?”
“Her father is one of our tenants,” replied Charles; “and she was about
to be married some time ago, but it was discovered, fortunately in time,
that her intended husband was head and leader of the outlaws that infest
the country. It was he, I believe, that leaped over the bonfire.”
“Was she fond of him?”
“Well, it is not easy to say that; some say she was, and others that
she was not. Barney Casey says she was very glad to escape him when he
became an outlaw.”
“By the way, where is Barney? I haven't seen him since I came to look at
this nonsense.”
“Just turn your eye to the farthest corner of the room, and you may see
him in his glory.”
On looking in the prescribed direction, there, sure enough, was Barney
discovered making love hard and fast to a pretty girl, whom Woodward
remembered to have seen that morning in Mr. Goodwin's, and with whom
he (Barney) had become acquainted when the families were on terms of
intimacy. The girl sat smiling on his knee, whilst Barney who had a
glass of punch in his hand, kept applying it to her lips from time to
time, and pressing her so lovingly toward him, that she was obliged
occasionally to give him a pat upon the cheek, or to pull his whiskers.
Woodward's attention, however, was transferred once more to Grace
Davoren, from whom he could not keep his eyes--a fact which she soon
discovered, as was evident by a slight hauteur and affectation of manner
toward many of those with whom she had been previously on an equal and
familiar footing.
“Charles,” said he, “I must have a dance with this beautiful girl; do
you think she will dance with me?”
“I cannot tell,” replied his brother, “but you can ask her.”
“By the way, where are my father and the rest? They have left the room.”
“The landlord has got them a small apartment,” replied Charles, “where
they are now enjoying themselves. If you dance with Grace Davoren,
however, be on your good behavior, for if you take any unbecoming
liberties with her, you may repent it; don't imagine because you see
these humble girls allowing their sweethearts to kiss them in corners,
that either they or their friends will permit you to do so.”
“That's as it may be managed, perhaps,” said Woodward, who immediately
approached Grace in imitation of what he had seen, and making her a low
bow, said,
“I dance to you, Miss Davoren, if you will favor me.”
She was then sitting, but immediately rose up, with a blushing but
gratified face, and replied,
“I will, sir, but I'm not worthy to dance with a gentleman like you.”
“You are worthy to dance with a prince,” he replied, as he led her to
their station, fronting the music.
“Well, my pretty girl,” said he, “what do you wish?”
“Your will, sir, is my pleasure.”
“Very well. Piper,” said he, “play up 'Kiss my lady;'” which was
accordingly done, and the dance commenced. Woodward thought the most
popular thing he could do was to affect no superiority over the young
fellows present, but, on the contrary, to imitate their style and
manner of dancing as well as he could; and in this he acted with great
judgment. They felt flattered and gratified even at his awkward and
clumsy imitations of their steps, and received his efforts with much
laughter and cheering; nor was Grace herself insensible to the mirth
he occasioned. On he went, cutting and capering, until he had them in
convulsions; and when the dance was ended, he seized his partner in his
arms, swung her three times round, and imprinted a kiss upon her lips
with such good humor that he was highly applauded. He then ordered in
drink to treat her and her friends, which he distributed to them with
his own hand; and after contriving to gain a few minutes' private chat
with Grace, he amply rewarded the piper. He was now about to take
his leave and proceed with his brother, when two women, one about
thirty-five, and the other far advanced in years, both accosted him
almost at the same moment.
“Your honor won't go,” said the less aged of the two, “until you get
your fortune tould.”
“To be sure he won't, Caterine,” they all replied; “we'll engage the
gentleman will cross your hand wid silver, like his father before him,
his heart's not in the money.”
“Never mind her, sir,” said the aged crone, “she's a schemer, and will
tell you nothing but what she knows will plaise you. Show me your hand,
sir, and I'll tell you the truth.”
“Never mind the _calliagh_, sir, (old woman, by way of reproach;) she's
dotin', and hasn't remembered her own name these ten years.”
“It doesn't matter,” said Woodward, addressing Caterine, “I shall hear
what you both have to say--but you first.”
He accordingly crossed her hand with a piece of silver, after which she
looked closely into it--then upon his countenance, and said,
“You have two things in your mind, and they'll both succeed.”
“But, my good woman, any one might tell me as much.”
“No,” she replied, with confidence; “examine your own heart and you'll
find the two things there that it is fixed upon; and whisper,” she
added, putting her lips to his ear, “I know what they are, and can help
you in both. When you want me, inquire for Caterine Collins. My uncle is
Sol Donnell, the herb doctor.”
He smiled and nodded, but made no reply.
“Now,” said he, “my old crone, come and let me hear what you have to say
for me;” and as he spoke another coin was dropped into her withered and
skinny hand.
“Bring me a candle,” said she, in a voice that whistled with age, and if
one could judge by her hag-like and repulsive features, with a malignity
that was a habit of her life. After having inspected his palm with
the candle, she uttered three eldrich laughs, or rather screams, that
sounded through the room as if they were more than natural.
“Ha, ha, ha!” she exclaimed; “look here; there's the line of life
stopped by a red instrument; that's not good; I see it, I feel it; your
life will be short and your death violent; ay, indeed, the purty
bonfire of your life, for all so bright as it burns, will be put out wid
blood--and that soon.”
“You're a d--d old croaker,” said Woodward, “and take delight in
predicting evil. Here, my good woman,” he added, turning to the other,
“there's an additional half-crown for you, and I won't forget your
words.”
He and Charles then joined their friends in the other room, and as it
was getting late they all resolved to stroll once more through the town,
in order to take a parting look at the bonfires, to wish the people
good-night, and to thank them for the kindness and alacrity with which
they got them up, and manifested their good feeling upon so short a
notice. The large fire was again blazing, having been recruited with
a fresh supply of materials. The crowd were looking on; many were
staggering about, uttering a feeble huzza, in a state of complete
intoxication, and the fool of the parish was attempting to dance a
hornpipe, when large, blob-like drops began to fall, as happens at the
commencement of a heavy shower. Lindsay put his hand to his face, on
which some few of them had fallen, and, on looking at his fingers,
perceived that they were spotted as if with blood!
“Good God!” he exclaimed, “what is this? Am I bleeding?”
They all stared at him, and then at each other, with dismay and horror;
for there, unquestionably, was the hideous and terrible fact before
them, and legible on every! face around them--it was raining blood!
An awe, which we cannot describe, and a silence, deep as that of the
grave, followed this terrible prodigy. The silence did not last long,
however, for in a few minutes, during which the blood fell very thickly,
making their hands and visages appear as if they had been steeped
in gore--in a few moments, we say, the heavens, which had become one
black and dismal mass, opened, and from the chasm issued a red flash of
lightning, which was followed almost immediately by a roar of thunder,
so loud and terrific that the whole people became fearfully agitated
as they stood round the blaze. It was extremely difficult, indeed, for
ignorant persons to account for, or speculate upon, this strange and
frightful phenomenon. As they stood in fear and terror, with their faces
apparently bathed in blood, they seemed rather to resemble a group of
hideous murderers, standing as if about to be driven into the! flames of
perdition itself. To compare them to a tribe of red Indians surrounding
their war fires, would be but a faint and feeble simile when contrasted
with the terror which, notwithstanding the gory hue with which they
were covered from top to toe, might be read in their terrified eyes and
visages. After a few minutes, however, the alarm became more intense,
and put itself forth into words. The fearful intelligence now spread.
“It is raining blood! it is raining blood!” was shouted from every
mouth; those who were in the houses rushed out, and soon found that it
was true; for the red liquid was still descending, and in a few minutes
they soon were as red as the others. The flight home now became one of
panic; every house was crowded with strangers, who took refuge wherever
they could find shelter; and in the meantime the lightning was flashing
and the thunder pealing with stunning depth throughout the heavens. The
bonfires were soon deserted; for even those who were drunk and tipsy
had been aroused by the alarm, and the language in which it was uttered.
Nobody, in fact, was left at the great fire except those who composed
the dinner party, with the exception of the two clergymen, who fled and
disappeared along with the mob, urged, too, by the same motives.
“This will not be believed,” said Lindsay; “it is, beyond all doubt
and scepticism, a prodigy from heaven, and must portend some fearful
calamity. May God in heaven protect us! But who is this?”
As he spoke, a hideous old hag, bent over her staff, approached them;
but it did not appear that she was about to pay them any particular
attention. She was mumbling and cackling to herself when about to pass,
but was addressed by Lindsay.
“Where are you going, you old hag? They say you are acquainted with more
than you ought to know. Can you account for this blood that's falling?”
“Who are you that axes me?” she squeaked.
“I'm Mr. Lindsay, the magistrate.”
“Ay,” she screamed again, “it was for your son, Harry, na Suil Gloir,
(* Suil Gloir was an epithet bestowed on persons whose eyes were of
different colors) that this bonfire was made to-night. Well he knows
what I tould him, and let him think of it; but there will be more blood
than this, and that before long, I can tell you and him.”
So saying, she hobbled on, mumbling and muttering to herself like a
witch rehearsing her incantations on her way to join their sabbath. They
now turned their steps homewards, but had not proceeded far, when the
rain came down as it might be supposed to have done in the deluge; the,
lightnings flashed, the thunder continued! to roar, and by the time they
reached Rathfillan House they were absolutely drenched to the skin. The
next morning, to the astonishment of the people, there was not visible
a trace or fragment of the bonfires; I every vestige of them had
disappeared; and the general impression now was, that there must have
been something evil and unhallowed connected with the individual for
whom they had been prepared.