116 A TEAE OF liberty; OR, 



auspicious and one drooping eye.' You will forget your lost love 

 to-morrow, when you stand once more on the dear old bridge of 

 Ballyshannon." 



CHAPTER XX. 



The Erne Early morning ^The Bridge A "great" misfortune Subsequent 

 success The Colonel discourses ^Draughting under the Falls. 



June 12. 

 The church clock struck three as I lay broad awake in my com- 

 fortable chamber in the Mall, waiting the expected signal announcing 

 that Pat and m.y Jichis Achates were at their post : yes, wide awake, 

 for who could sleep on such a morning ? Through the open window 

 comes the balmy breath of the sweet summer, and the minstrel 

 thrush is humming over the song he will sing so soon to a drowsy 

 world. Beautiful Erne, I cannot see you ; yet I feel your bright 

 face will smile a welcome to an old adorateur. Queen of streams ! 

 thou art peerless amongst the waters. A very Phoenix of rivers, you 

 burst in your might from the parent lake, and after a too brief race 

 of four miles, die in your prime, and drop into the eternity of Ocean. 

 No dull stagnant life is yours, but onward, ever onward, in beautiful 

 variety splendid in your streams, deep and wide in your pools, grand 

 in your falls. Many a happy day have I whiled away on your banks, 

 sweet Erae! 



Time did not, however, 

 Keep pace with my expectancy and fly. 



Four was the hour agreed on, but it wanted sixty minutes to the 

 time, and who would voluntarily submit to half or three quarters of 

 an hour's misery if he could help it. 



To spring out of bed and gain the Avindow was the work of a 

 moment. There, on the opposite doorstep, sat Messrs Willie and 



