She took it into her cold fingers. Her heart was beating high with
suppressed excitement; she had never felt a keener pleasure in her
life. If only she might see the Banshee, and implore the spirit's
intercession for the fortunes of her house!

The man rowed on carefully, winding round corners and avoiding many
dangers. At last they came bump upon some rocks.

"Now, then," he said, "we can't go a step farther."

"But we must," said Nora. "We have not reached the chasm in the
rock. We must."

"We dare not, miss; the boat hasn't water enough to float her."

"Well, then, I shall wade there. How far on is the chasm?"

"Oh, Nora! Nora! you won't be so mad as to go alone?" called out
Biddy.

"I shan't be a scrap afraid," said Nora.

"But there's water up to your knees; you dare not do it," said
Biddy.

"Yes, I dare; and the tide is going down--is it not?"

"It will be down a good bit in half an hour," said the man, "and
we'll be stranded here as like as not. These are bad rocks when the