hours on board the boat. I 'll not be
the least offended if you sleep the entire time. If there 's not wind
enough to take in a reef, I 'll give the tiller to old Mark Spillane,
and take a sleep myself."

"It is really like a Tartar journey," said the terrified Hankes.

"I have told you the worst of it, I must own," said she, laughing, "for
I feel I have no right to obtain your escort on false pretences."

"And you would go alone over this long distance,--land and sea?"

"Land and sea are very grand words, Mr. Hankes, for some five-and-twenty
miles of heather and a few hours in an open boat; but such as they are,
I would go them alone."

Mr. Hankes would like to have said something complimentary, something
flattering, but it did not exactly occur to him how he was to do it.
To have exalted her heroism would be like a confession of his own
poltroonery; to have seen any surprising evidence of boldness in her
daring might possibly reflect upon her delicacy. He felt--none could
have felt more thoroughly--that she was very courageous and very full of
energy; but, somehow, these were humble aid to propagate that notion,--I
had almost said that fallacy. "Only hear me out," said she, as he tried
to interrupt "I began my duties in the most sanguine of all moods.
Heaven knows not what dreams I had of a land of abundance and content.
Well, I have seen the abundance,--the wealth has really poured in; every
one is richer, better fed, clothed, housed, and cared for, and almost
in an equal ratio are they grown more covetous, grasping, envious,
and malevolent--You won't let me finish," cried she, as he showed an
increasing impatience. "Well, perhaps, as we stroll along the cliffs
to-morrow, you will be more disposed to listen; that is, if I have not
already terrified you from accepting the companionship."

"Oh, no! by no means; but how are we to go,--do we drive?"

"Drive! why, my dear Mr. Hankes, it is only a Kerry pony has either
legs or head for the path we must follow. Cast your eye along this
coast-line; Jagged and fanciful as it looks, it conveys no notion of its
rugged surface of rock, and its wild and darksome precipices. Take
my word for it, you have as much to learn of the scenery as of the
temperament of the land."

"But I'd like to go," repeated he, his accent being marvellously little
in accordance with the sentiment.

"Nothing easier, sir. I'll give orders to have a pony--a most reliable
pony--ready for you her