Iv.] THE WITCHES’ ISLAND. 209

 

movement. Whilst she hesitated she heard a kind of
low twittering noise behind her, and looking round,
perceived a sight which filled her with surprise. At
a few yards distant from the spot at which she had
landed, there was a break of several yards in the reeds
which girt the shore, and this was occupied by a bed
of light-coloured sand, sloping down from the green
bank to the water. Upon this bank were assembled
a great multitude of shrimps, among whom were a
few prawns, who had apparently left their native
element for purposes of festivity. Standing upon
their tails, this multitude of small fishes was engaged
in dancing, tumbling about, and jostling one another
after the most curious fashion, and to all appearance
enjoying themselves exceedingly. As they danced
they sang, and Molly listened with attention to’ the
words of their ditty, although their shrill and small
voices rendered it somewhat difficult to interpret their
meaning.
.¢ Fisherman John he is fast spell-bound ;
Ho! Ha! Fisherman John!
Where would another poor woman be found
Such a fool’s errand to journey upon !
Molly has followed the watery track ;
Ho,.! Ha! Fisherman John !
Thinks she to get her poor fisherman back ?
Vainly his jacket she’s ventured to don !
Joy to the fishes, the small and the great,
Spell-bound is Fisherffian John !

Loudly they joy at their enemy’s fate,
Now for the villain escape there is none!’ -

Molly understood quite enough of this song to

“render it very unpleasant to her ears, and what made

it all the more so was the circumstance of its being
P