from every part of the castle. Can you afford any explanation of them?”

"I can afford no other," replied the Colonel, "than that this must be one of the freaks of our Castle Spectre Button-Cap; for since every old building has its spectre, it would be a shame, if the most ancient castle in Ireland should be destitute of such a necessary appendage! But Major, order all the men into their quarters-except about a dozen whom I wish you to bring along; for I am determined, if possible, this night, to discover whether this wonderful drummer be really material or immaterial. This is the third time, since I have commanded here, that Button-Cap has played his pranks in this fortress."

Frederick selected his patrol; and ordering the rest of the troops to return to their births, accompanied the Colonel in his search after Button-Cap. They spent nearly two hours, exploring every chamber, closet, cellar, and excavation they could discover about the castle, from which the noise had been ever heard to proceed, and where they might suppose it likely they should meet with this extraordinary alarmist; but it was in vain. The noise had ceased for more than half an hour, and they were about abandoning the search, when a soldier, who carried a light somewhat in advance of the party, opened the door of a small closet, or wall

cove, built in a narrow gallery on the second floor of the north wing; when a tall man, dressed in blue uniform faced with red, having on his head a scarlet cap with a large polished button by way of cockade shining on the left side, started before him.

"Halt! comrades!" exclaimed the figure in an awful voice that made the whole gallery ring. That moment the soldier was knocked down, and his light dashed out; and the next, a shock, loud as the explosion of a thunderbolt startled the whole party with a sensation as if the floor on which they stood had fallen from beneath their feet. They rushed forward with other lights to the closet; but it contained no visible living creature, either earthly or spiritual. The ceiling, the walls, the flooring,-every part, where it would have been possible for even a mouse to conceal itself, was examined with fruitless accuracy. They at length gave over the search, greatly chagrined at their disappointment, but convinced that they had all heard the spectre; while the man who had fallen, was ready to swear, and actually the next morning did swear, that he had both seen and felt the renowned Button-Cap.

"Really, what to think of this adventure, I cannot tell," said Jennings to Frederick before they parted for their chambers: "only I am persuaded that it must either have been flesh and blood that

knocked down our soldier, or he must have fallen from excess of fear, and broke his nose upon the floor. Curse the booby! If he had only taken care of the light, Button-Cap, be he man, or be he devil, could not have escaped us."

"The pranks of this noisy spectre," said Frederick, "you have stated to be of old origin. Have you heard Colonel, how long it is since he first commenced them ?""

"The first of his frolicks I have heard of," replied the Colonel, "was shortly before the landing of King William at this place. Since then, it is said that no war has either begun or ended, nor has any of our kings died, or any heir apparent been born, or any great battle been lost or won without the event being celebrated by this mysterious musician. It is the legend of the place, that shortly before the revolution, the governor of the fortress unjustly ordered a certain drummer to be put to death. Before suffering, the unfortunate drummer declared with great bitterness, as if intending to frighten his enemy, that he should beat drums in this castle, long after the governor should spit fire in the lower regions;-and you perceive, Major, that he has been punctual to his word."

"That is," replied Frederick, "if the governor has been so unfortunate as to descend to those regions; which, I hope, in charity to him, is not the

case.

But this mystery, notwithstanding all our exertions to-night, is still a mystery."

"That is as plain as the church steeple at noonday," returned the Commandant. “But, Major, good night! I trust that, by this time, Button-Cap needs sleep too much himself to disturb ours again for this night."

1

CHAPTER XVIII.

Sad were our hearts when first the tidings came,
That our beloved pastor was no more.

Although we knew his God would sometime claim
His presence on that ever blessed shore,

Where sinning and where suffering are o'er;
Yet much we wish'd far off that day to keep:
For, oh! our souls reluctant were to part
With such a shepherd, who had fed his sheep

So long with food that cheer'd each sorrowing heart;—
'Twas heavenly manna sweet, prepared with heavenly art!
ULSTER BARD.

COUNTER-IRRITATION is a species of remedy from which physicians often witness the most salutary effects in even very aggravated cases. It was in the manner of such a remedy that the excitement produced by Button-Cap, on this occasion, greatly relieved Frederick's mind from the high effervescence into which, as we have seen the incidents of the preceding day had thrown it. The impressions of wonder having thus tranquillized the emotions of love, he soon fell into a calm and refreshing sleep, from which he awoke in the morning cheerful, and possessed of all his faculties and feelings.