The Banshee

to the fighting. At the same time it cannot be denied that they were the outcome of it, for had our two lieutenants not been fighting desperately in a skirmish and got

on the battle-field, either immediately before or after, or even whilst the fight

ing in the air over the Irish camp, the truth of the prop

heat from a fire close beside them. The cloak was not there, and, as he turned round still further to look for it, he perceived to his astonishment the figure of a woman, swathed from head to foot in a mantle of some dark flowing material, standing a few feet behind him. Wondering who on earth she could be, but supposing she must be a relative or friend of one of the officers, for her mantle looked costly, and her hair-of a marvellous golden hue-though han

about to address her, to inquire if he could be of any service to her, when, someone calling out and asking him what on earth he was doing, she at

r face and figure, her big, sorrowful eyes, gazing pitifully first at one and then at another of his companions, but particularly at one, a mere boy, who was lying wrapped in his mil

re still there, momentarily becoming stronger and stronger, more and more distinct, until he realised with

of his comrades had seen her, too, until the latter, who had raised himself into a half-sitting posture, spoke; then,

t lasted for several seconds and then died away in one long, protracted sob

the night, including that of the curly h

ose who are fighting on their native soil; it has been stated that she frequently manifested herself to Irishmen eng

as the result of numerous letters sent out by me broadcast in quest of information, I was asked by several people to call either at their hou

ed by another, and then another, all proceeding apparently from the camp, whither he was wending his steps. Wondering what on earth could have happened, and inclining to the belief that it must be in some way connected with one of those women thieves who prowled about everywhere at night, robbing and murdering, with equal impunity, wherever they saw a chance, he quickened his pace, only to find, on his arrival at the camp, no sign whatever of the presence of any woman, although the screaming was going on as vigorously as ever. The sounds seemed to come first from one part of the camp, and then from another, but to be always overhead, as if uttered by invisible beings, hovering at a height of some six or seven feet, or, perhaps, more, above the ground, and although Lieutenant O'Higgins had at first attribute

at once said: "You have undoubtedly heard the Banshee. Poor D--, who fell at Corunna, often used to tell me about it,

e soldiers who had been sleeping around him that evening had Irish names, and were, unquestionably, of

was also told me by Miss O'Higgins; but whether this O'Farrell was the fam

night in question O'Farrell left his quarters in high spirits. He liked the McMahons, especially the youngest daughter Katherine, with whom he was very much in love. He deemed his case hopeless, however, as Mr McMahon, who was poor, had often said none of his daughters should marry, unless it were someone who was wealthy enough to ensure them being well provided for, should they be left a widow; and as O'Farrell had nothing but his pay, which was meagre enough in all conscience, he saw no prospect of his ever being able to propo

mi-garden below, in the centre of which was a fountain surmounted by the marble statue of a very beautiful maiden, that his instinct told him was an exact image of his beloved Katherine. He was gazing at it, revelling in the delightful anticipation of meeting the flesh and blood counterpart of it in a very short time, when sounds of music, of someone playing a very, very sad and plaintive air on the harp, came to him through the open doorway. Much surprised, for none of the family as far as he knew were harpists, nor

ize him, he summed up the resolution to peep once more into the room, but though his eyes took in the whole range of the room, he could perceive no spot where anyone could possibly be in hiding, and nothing that would in any way account for the sounds. There was nothing in front of him but

id, laughingly. "You are as white as a sheet and tre

ed, a trifle nettled at their gaiety, "but

Katherine laughed. "Wh

veranda just now I distinctly heard the sound of a harp in

eive visits from street musicians. I have something to say to you about the English and their rumoured new attack on the town," and drawing O'Farrell aside he whispered to him: "On no accoun

ed, scenes in which the drunken English soldiery got completely out of hands, many Spanish-Spanish