HIS FINIS. 375 



will wake up to merry Yule to-morrow, and will pledge 

 him in the jolly Yule cup. She will wear her prettiest 

 dress, and deck her soft hair for his pleasure. She 

 will perhaps run to the shore with her bairn to gather 

 shells and bright glossy brown and green weeds to 

 deck her cottage. And perhaps she will find my 

 battered corpse among the tangles ! Well, ill as she 

 used me, dear lassie, I hope the sight of my dead face 

 may no' vex her too much. And if she do but lay her 

 rosy mouth to the brow she has so often fondled in 

 life, I shall know, though dead, that she has done it. 

 I shall know and be glad. Eoar away, sea and wind ! 

 Break upon the hard-hearted rocks and shriek to the 

 heavens ! What need I care ? ' The sooner it's over 

 the sooner to sleep,' says the song. So be it. This 

 poor old ship will be at your mercy before very long." 



The young man's thoughts were at that moment 

 interrupted by a comrade, who laid a heavy hand on 

 his shoulder and said — 



" Can you tell what that light is ? You ought to 

 know." 



Yaspard's eyes were still directed towards the home 

 of his lost love, and he answered rather absently — 



" There is no anchorage — no refuge — near that 

 house. I know the coast near it well." 



Said the other — " I did not mean the steady light 

 in yon window, man. I meant that flare-up to the 

 right. Look ! " 



Yaspard looked in the direction indicated, and then 

 answered with a savage laugh — 



