Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Legends of the " Good People^'' 113
service. At times he was nervously afraid of losing his
dear wife, and at others burning with impatience for the
struggle. At last the old fort with its dark high bushy
fences cutting against the sky, was in a moment replaced
by a palace and its court. A thousand lights flashed
from the windows and lofty hall entrance, numerous
torches were brandished by attendants stationed round
the courtyard, and a numerous cavalcade of richly-
attired ladies and gentlemen was moving in the direction
of the gate where he found himself standing. As they
rode by him laughing and jesting, he could not
whether they were aware of his presence or not.
tell
He
looked intent at each countenance as it approached, but
it was some time before he caught sight of the dear face
and figure borne along on a milk-white steed. She
recognised him well enough, and her features now broke
into a smile—now expressed deep anxiety. She was
unable for the throng to guide the animal close to the
so he suddenly rushed out of his bounds,
ring of power ;
seized her in his arms, and lifted her off. Cries of rage
and fury arose on every side ; they were hemmed in, and
weapons were directed at his head and breast to terrify
him. He seemed to be inspired with superhuman
courage and force, and wielding the powerful knife he
soon cleared a space round him, all seeming dismayed
by the sight of the weapon. He lost no time, but
drew his wife within the ring, within which none of
the myriads round dared to enter. Shouts of derision
and defiance continued to fill the air for some time, but
the expedition could not be delayed. As the end of the
procession filed past the gate and the circle within which
the mortal pair held each other determinedly clasped,
darkness and silence fell on the old rath and the fields
round it, and the rescued bride and her lover breathed
freely. We will not detain the sensitive reader on the
happy walk home, on the joy that hailed their arrival, and
on all the eager gossip that occupied the townland and
the five that surround it for a month after the happy rescue.
I