Roland Cashel . thatever broke upon a leeward shore at midnight, ever chilled my bloodlike that terrible stillness. I thought that the dreadful roll of anavalanche, or the heaving ground-swell of an earthquake, had beeneasier to bear. I believe I actually prayed for something like soundto relieve the horrible tension of my nerves, when, just as if my wishwas heard, a low booming sound, like the sea within a rocky cavern,came borne along on the night wind. Then it lulled again, and aftera time grew louder. This happened two or three times, so tliat, halfsuspecting some self-delusion, I stopped
Roland Cashel . thatever broke upon a leeward shore at midnight, ever chilled my bloodlike that terrible stillness. I thought that the dreadful roll of anavalanche, or the heaving ground-swell of an earthquake, had beeneasier to bear. I believe I actually prayed for something like soundto relieve the horrible tension of my nerves, when, just as if my wishwas heard, a low booming sound, like the sea within a rocky cavern,came borne along on the night wind. Then it lulled again, and aftera time grew louder. This happened two or three times, so tliat, halfsuspecting some self-delusion, I stopped my cars, and then on remov-ing my hands, I heard the noise increasing till it swelled into onedull roaring sound, that made the very air vibrate. I thought itmvist be an earthquake, of whicli it is said many occur in these re-gions, but, from the dreary uniformity, leave no trace behind. I resolved to regain my companions at once; danger is alwayseasier to confront in company, and so I txirned my horses head to. EOLAND CASHEL. go back. The uoise was now deafening, and so stunning that thevery ground seemed to give it forth. My poor horse became terrified,his flanks heaved, and he laboured in his stride as if overcome byfatigue. This again induced me to suspect an earthquake, for 1 knewby what singular instincts animals are apprised of its approach. Itherefore gave him the spur, and urged him on with every effort, whensuddenly he made a tremendous bound to one side, and set off withthe speed of a racer. Stretched to his fullest stride, I was perfectlypowerless to restrain him: meanwhile, the loud thundering soundsfilled the entire air—more deafening than the greatest artillery; thecrashing uproar smote my ears, and made my brain ring with the vi-bration, and then suddenly the whole plain grew dark behind and ateither side of me; the shadow swept on and on, nearer and nearer,as the sounds increased, till the black surface seemed, as it were,about to close around me; and now I p
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