36 THE SEAL. 



overnight came back to his beloved home, crept through an 

 open window, and took possession of his favourite resting- 

 place. 



" Next morning another cow was reported to be unwell ; 

 and the seal must now be finally removed. A Galway fishing- 

 boat was leaving Westport on her return home, and the 

 master undertook to carry off the seal, and not put him over- 

 board until he had gone leagues beyond Innis Boffin. It was 

 done : a day and night passed ; the second evening closed ; the 

 servant was raking the fire for the night ; something scratched 

 gently at the door it was, of course, the house-dog she 

 opened it, and in came the seal ! Wearied with his long and 

 unusual voyage, he testified, by a peculiar cry expressive of 

 pleasure, his delight to find himself at home ; then stretching 

 himself before the glowing embers of the hearth, he fell into a 

 deep sleep. 



" The master of the house was immediately apprised of this 

 unexpected and unwelcome visit. In the exigency, the bel- 

 dame was awakened and consulted : she averred that it was 

 always unlucky to kill a seal, but suggested that the animal 

 should be deprived of sight, and a third time carried out to 

 sea. To this hellish proposition the besotted wretch who 

 owned the house consented j and the affectionate and con- 

 fiding creature was cruelly robbed of sight on that hearth, for 

 which he had resigned his native element ! Next morning, 

 writhing in agony, the mutilated seal was embarked, taken 

 outside Clare Island, and for the last time committed to the 

 waves. 



" A week passed over, and things became worse instead of 

 better ; the cattle of the truculent wretch died fast, and the 

 infernal hag gave him the pleasurable tidings that her arts 

 were useless, and that the destructive visitation upon his cattle 

 exceeded her skill and cure. 



" On the eighth night after the seal had been devoted to 

 the Atlantic, it blew tremendously. In the pauses of the 

 storm a wailing noise at times was faintly heard at the door. 

 The servants, who slept in the kitchen, concluded that the 

 Banshee* came to forewarn them of an approaching death, and 



* The Banshee is a nondescript being, supposed to be attached to 

 particular families, and to take a lively interest in their weal or mis- 

 fortunes ; and there are few ancient houses in Ireland unprovided with 

 this, domestic spirit. It gives notice of impending calamity and a death 



