Iv.] THE WITCHES’ ISLAND. 223

 

ever, it seemed that the witches (if they really were
witches) were all milk and honey in their dealings
with her, and whatever their ultimate intentions might
be, they certainly showed no desire to do her evil, now
that she was fairly in the island, whatever they might
have had to do with.the marine monsters who had
opposed her landing.

Still, she remembered the old proverb that ‘All
is not gold that glitters,” and moreover she bore in
mind the caution of the Wise Rabbit that she was
not to eat or drink upon the island. Therefore she
determined that she would not yield to the blandish-
ments of the beings before her. Encouraged, how-
ever, by her momentary silence and apparent hesita-
tion, several of them rose from their places and held
out towards her dishes containing various eatables,
which at that moment, after her row and her walk,
would have been decidedly, acceptable to the good
woman. Moreover, at a sign from one of the party,
several of the cats advanced towards her with wine
and cake, and one sorely tempted her with acup of tea
and some remarkably nice-looking slices of bread and
butter. But Molly was proof against it all. She
looked straight at the table and exclaimed in a clear
voice but with a manner perfectly respectful, ‘I thank
ye kindly, ladies, but I don’t want nothing only my
man John.—John Goodchild! where be you?’

As soon as these words were out of her mouth, a
loud burst of almost hysterical laughter from all the -
party caused Molly to look at them with still greater
surprise. What were they doing ?- Everyone of them
pointing with outstretched arms at the Donkey in the

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