ate in the autumn, the season was mild and genial, and the sea
calm and waveless, save along the shore, where, even in the stillest
weather, the great breakers come tumbling in with a force, independent
of storm, and listening to their booming thunder, I have dreamed away
hour after hour unconsciously. It was one day, as I lay thus, that my
attention was caught by the sight of three large vessels on the very
verge of the horizon. Habit had now given me a certain acuteness, and I
could perceive from their height and size that they were ships of war.
For a while they seemed as if steering for the entrance of the "lough,"
but afterward they changed their course, and headed toward the west. At
length they separated, and one of smaller size, and probably a frigate
from her speed, shot forward beyond the rest, and, in less than half an
hour, disappeared from view. The other two gradually sunk beneath the
horizon, and not a sail was to be seen over the wide expanse. While
speculating on what errand the squadron might be employed, I thought I
could hear the deep and rolling sound of distant cannonading. My ear was
too practiced in the thundering crash of the breakers along shore to
confound the noises; and as I listened I fancied that I could
distinguish the sound of single guns from the louder roar of a whole
broadside. This could not mean saluting, nor was it likely to be a mere
exercise of the fleet. They were not times when much powder was expended
unprofitably. Was it then an engagement? But with what or whom? Tandy's
expedition, as it was called, had long since sailed, and must ere this
have been captured or safe in France. I tried a hundred conjectures to
explain the mystery, which now, from the long continuance of the sounds,
seemed to denote a desperately contested engagement. It was not 'till
after three hours that the cannonading ceased, and then I could descry a
thick dark canopy of smoke that hung hazily over one spot in the
horizon, as if marking out the scene of the struggle. With what aching,
torturing anxiety I burned to know what had happened, and with which
side rested the victory.

Well habituated to hear of the English as victors in every naval
engagement, I yet went on hoping against hope itself, that Fortune might
for once have favored us; nor was it till the falling night prevented my
being able to trace out distant objects, that I could leave the spot and
turn homeward. With wishes so directly opposed to