THE DENSCHMAN'S HAD. 159 



be found, and they made for the spot, never doubting 

 that some spoil would be there to reward them. As 

 they approached the submerged reef where the JErne 

 finished her career, the skipper, alluding to the dreaded 

 Denschman, said : " Well did he deserve what he met 

 here ! Think our isle would give him foothold ! — our 

 isle, that he has harried this ten year and more ! 

 No, no!" 



Scarcely were the words spoken, when one of the 

 fishermen called out excitedly : " Lord be about us, 

 men, what's yon ? " — and he pointed to a cave situated 

 in the cliff opposite the reef. 



All gazed, and were struck dumb, for, on a ledge 

 within the mouth of the hellyer (cave) stood a man — 

 the man ! the Denschman, alive, stalwart, terrible as 

 ever, and brandishing his sword, as if defying mortal to 

 molest him. 



The boat was instantly backed, and when the 

 islanders had put what they considered a safe distance 

 between themselves and their dreaded foeman, the 

 men consulted together. Should they make a bold 

 attack ? The Denschman was alone ; they were six 

 in number. Surely they could overpower him, tired 

 and despairing as he must be. Yes. But one, or even 

 two of their number were likely to fall before his sword 

 ere he could be conquered. Who was patriot enough 

 "to lead such dire attack?" No one of that crew! 

 Then should they leave him to die of exhaustion, as 

 he must ere long ? There was no way of . escape. The 

 lofty precipice overhung the cave, precluding any scheme 



