noise, joined in the hubbub, thus increasing the general confusion. Morning broke, and dispelled the visions which had haunted us. Our first operation was to accompany the man to the place where, according to his narration, the spirits had appeared. Nothing was, however, to be found, excepting (what were much more acceptable than ghosts), some shell-fish, which, however, the superstitious apprehensions of one or two of our number prevented their touching. Others, who paid less respect to the supernatural visitors, or were more hungry, speedily devoured this sort of food. The day wore away without any novelty occurring, and the shades of the evening began to descend. The sun, which had sunk beneath the sea, still illúminated the edges of the light clouds that skirted the horizon. It was a sweet evening; one of those whose soft and gentle influence steal upon the soul, conjuring up those delightful reminiscences, and "lang syne" ideas, that the mind dwells upon with unfading pleasure. The wind was quite still, and we sat down near our habitation, (if such a name may be given to such a spot). The captain, who had been silent all day, now spoke, and informed us, that he thought he was able to disclose some particulars relating to the last night's occurrence. Every one drew nearer to his neighbour, and prepared to listen, with long faces and open mouths, not unmixed with sundry twists of the eyes over the left and right shoulders, to have due warning, in case any unearthly visitant should clandestinely attempt to

VOL. II.

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attack us in the rear. To obviate the possibility of this, however, we drew, as by instinct, into a circle, in which position, every side being guarded, no undue advantage could be taken by an emissary from the invisible world. "When I was a cabin boy on board the Thunderproof," said the captain, who, as an orator, was stationed in the centre of the assembly, "a plot was concerted, by the greater part of the crew, to murder the captain, and take possession of the vessel. I, with several others, who were unconcerned in the scheme, knew nothing of it till the moment of its execution. We were suddenly seized and pinioned; and the captain after being severely wounded, was thrown overboard. His wife was in the ship, and hearing the noise, came on deck. The villain who had concerted the plot, caught her in his arms; she struggled, and escaping his grasp, ran to the ship's side, where stumbling, she was again seized. Perceiving herself in the wretch's power, she desisted from her endeavours to free herself; and he, deceived by her apparent submission, relaxed his hold. At this moment, she caught him in her grasp, and with a violent effort, sprung over the ship's side, dragging the ruffian along with her. We heard them fall into the water; we heard the shrill and heartrending scream of her victim, as he received his well-merited punishment. We were afterwards unbound; perhaps the villains considered us too few, and too insignificant, to excite an alarm among them. They did not long enjoy the fruits of their crimes: the vessel was wrecked,

and I and two others alone escaped; and since that time the seas near that spot have been considered as haunted by the spirits of the victims and murderers. Doubtless it was near this island that the events took place; but, having lost our compass, we can only guess at it; and the appearance which was seen by Jenkins last night bears relation to the events I have mentioned."

This narrative by no means tended to quiet our fears, which rose to a considerable height. After much deliberation, it was proposed that we should sit up and wait in expectation of the unwelcome visitants, which proposal was agreed to by many with fear and trembling, who, however, assented, that they might not be thought to possess less courage than their fellows. Hour after hour passed, but we neither saw nor heard anything to justify our fears. The disagreeableness of the situation made the time much longer than it was in reality. We began to grow weary of waiting for spirits, and some spoke of giving up the watch. Still we delayed, when, on the surface of the ocean, far off, a dim light appeared. Certainly it would be highly indecorous in me to speak aught to reflect on the courage of a British sailor, but, nevertheless, I will venture to affirm, that the hair of every individual stood upright and in a more porcupine position than it was wont to do. The appearance presently assumed a more definite form; it seemed the likeness of a woman, and we perceived, with feelings by no means pleasant, that it approached the shore. A second figure

was perceived in the act of avoiding the first. It fled towards the shore, and was pursued with incredible speed by the other. It had almost reached the shore, when it was overtaken by the female form, she seized on the hair of his head, dragged him round, and with a laugh that curdled the blood in my veins, seemingly plunged her victim in the waves, and disappeared. My companions were petrified with terror, and the captain lay senseless on the ground. At last we regained some degree of selfpossession, and raising the captain with much difficulty restored him to the use of his faculties. But the impression made upon him by the scene was so strong that it was a considerable time before he perfectly recovered from the effects of it. He declared that he knew the features of the figures as well as he knew any one living: he became extremely uneasy, as did the rest of us, at our abode on this island, and we thought of again trusting to the boat for our deliverance, when we were fortunately taken up by a vessel, and conveyed to England. Our joy at revisiting our native country may be conceived, but not described; and if I may judge by my own feelings, none of us wish again to tempt like dangers.

THE TWO RINGS.

A FRENCH TALE.

ALPHONSE, the youngest son of a noble French family, entered the army at an early age; of a warm and generous disposition, he soon gained the affections, not only of the officers who commanded him, but likewise of the men whom he commanded. The country had for some time enjoyed the blessings of peace, but war breaking out abroad, the regiment of Alphonse was ordered on foreign service; the order, which to some gave uneasiness, on account of families or dear relatives they must leave behind, was to Alphonse a source of inexpressible pleasure, and his heart panted with impatience for the moment when they were to embark. He had an ardent desire to see the world, and that desire he hoped would now be gratified. He had a commission to perform for the commander in chief at a town a few miles distant; this of course separated him from his regiment, which he was to rejoin at The business was soon performed, and he set forward on his route, hoping to be at head-quarters before night. His road lay across the country; the path was