our hero was convinced that his business was with the creature now approaching.

The breeze, though extremely light, bore her rapidly on, alternately seated and standing in her shell; and on her nearer approach, Fergus laid hold upon his wherry; the same lovely countenance and elegant formation again dazzled the eyes of our bero, and occasioned his heart to throb with such violence, that the pulse sounded to his ear like the tapping of his truncheon upon his helmet.

Sportively she advanced upon the waters, now wheeling in circles, and again rocking or pitching in her little aquatic car, which was now easily observed bearing her towards the islet, when Grimes Fergus, in grappling with his boat, roused some of the water-fowl near him, which shrieking and flying off in alarm, drew the eyes of the mermaid towards the spot, when she beheld him in the act of launching his boat. A cry of terror escaped from her, the moment she saw him, and the next beheld her plunge into the flood, and disappear, whilst the shell in which she had

floated remained dancing upon the surface. Fergus had now launched his boat, and reaching the point where the water lady had gone down, lay upon his oars, glancing eagerly around, as if he expected her reappearance above the waters.

Bertram was now assured that she was really a sea woman, or mermaid, but of singular beauty, and approaching nearly to the human form and perfection. Fergus soon began to express, by his looks, anxiety and impatience, rowing to and fro, as though he had not given up his expectation of her emerging.

The buoyant vessel which bore her was in a short time carried by the breezes to a distance; and how great was the astonishment of Bertram on beholding Green Shela rise near, and regain her seat in it, and employing both hands as oars, impelled herself rapidly forward towards the shore.

As the sea hawk upon the sand martin, so darted Fergus towards her, and soon lessened the distance between them. Bertram was convinced that he would over

take her ere she could land, and springing to his feet, darted off in the same direction along the shore, and stood ready to receive him, as the beak of his barge became buried in the sand." What!" cried the ferociouslooking builg, "dost thou a third time thwart me? dost thou again clash with the spear of Ulster? Soul of a dog, take thy meed!" then with a tremendous blow of the oar, which he still held, did he beat down the young soldier and his weapon to the earth.

Bertram instantly recovered himself; but before he could make an effectual blow at his antagonist, the latter had grappled with and thrown him, fastening one hand in his throat, and with the other contended for the sword. Bertram, from the great superiority of strength which he found in his antagonist, was certain of his own destruction should he lose it, therefore struggled hard to retain it, and to bury the blade in his body, but in vain; Fergus's activity fully equalled his strength, and on finding Bertram's design, applied both hands to the purpose, and would most

undoubtedly have wrenched it from his hold, had not Quale at that instant fortunately arrived at the spot, and throwing himself violently upon Fergus, bore him off the person of his officer, who instantly sprung up, determined to dispatch him, but finding him unarmed, and the presence of Quale securing his own safety, the natural gallantry of his disposition forbade the deed.

Fergus having recovered his feet, stood a few seconds surveying Fitzroy and his deliverer alternately; then, in a voice of mingled rage and disappointment he addressed the former, saying-" Thy destiny hath twice preserved thee-trust it not a third time!" Then looking upon Quale with pity and contempt, he said-" This snaps the chord-this severs every tie! for, by the heart of Ulster's king, the shaft of Congcullion's spear* lies broke between me, and thee, and thine!" Then look

Congcullion was a fierce warrior, and the most expert spearman in Ireland; for when armed thus, no man in Europe was able to cope with him. On receiving an affront from any chief of corresponding rank, he instantly broke the shaft of his spear,

ing round, as if to discover what had become of the object of this rencounter, but whom not observing, he quitted the shores of the lake, leaving his boat to find a new master, and rapidly descending the steeps, was quickly out of sight.

It was now Bertram's turn to look after the mermaid, but he sought in vain-she was no where to be seen; so that concluding she had returned to the abysses of the lake, he (followed by the faithful Quale) began to descend the mountain, upon that side which more immediately faced the fort.

and threw down the parts between them. If the offence was unintentional, the person lifted them from the ground, and returned them to him, and from that hour Congcullion became his friend and brother through life, taking no offence even when offered; but if the shaft remained unnoticed, it became the source of mortal enmity, not only between themselves, but their friends, families, and connections.