24. A LEGEND 



Most old places by the sea have their legends and traditions. 

 And luhen they have not, it seems necessary to make legends for 

 them; even as the folk of all times have peopled nature ivith 

 half-human beings, calling them gods; or as seamen have given 

 to their coasts grim names and tales. Only so seems nature to 

 have a meaning for man, ivhen he has given her a portion of his 

 humanity. Hereunder is such a legend, for a ivild spot on a 

 rock-bound shore, — ^The Legend of the Black Abbey Rock. 



Back in those days there was a man who could 

 find no foothold in life. Therefore he took his 

 wife to the grey cottage in the combe of the 

 Black Abbey Rock, at the western edge of the 

 land, hoping always to find peace and something 

 that his soul might hold to and have. Twice in 

 a day and night the sea came up to the house, 

 and twice in a day and night the waters went 

 back and left a wilderness of great stones, in the 

 midst of which uprose the Black Abbey. It was 

 as if a guardian had been set to keep the grey 



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