Some Conversation With An Ancient Druid.

I sat down to muse on the various scenes that had been enacted within the limit of that narrow and mysterious circle , whilst I also refreshed the inner man with the comestibles I had brought ; ancl I made a good meal , too , which , washed down with a copious draught of sherry and water , made me feel in quite a happy mood . I had just finished , and was almost thinking of departing again after I had made my notes on the sizesituationand circumstances of

, , the peculiar stones to which I had turned my back , when a tall , venerable looking man , in a long white beard reaching almost to his knees , suddenly appeared in front of me . From whence he came I could not tell , for as far as I knew there was no one near when first I came , and there hardly seemed time for him to have approached from any distance . But there was no doubt about the fact that he was there ; andat my involuntary start ancl shudderhe

, , said : — " Don't be afraid ; I live close to " ( there was no habitation near , as far as I could see !) . " I have observed you measuring the stones , ancl making memoranda of their position , etc . Is not that so ? " he enquired ; ancl I answered in the affirmative , not able to overcome a sort of terror with which he seemed to

inspire me . " I thought perhaps you would like to know a little more of their origin than appears upon the surface ; and , as I am in a position to offer you that knowledge , I come to make you aware of it , and to give you the opportunity of availing yourself of the information , if you care to do so . ' . ' My curiosity was now thoroughly aroused , ancl , despite a certain feeling of dread which possessed meI determined to accept his offercome what miht

, , g , and murmured out my thanks for his proposal . But , instead of supplying me at once with the information , he said : —• " I cannot let you know these secrets now , but if you will come a week today , at this hour , ancl ask no questions , and speak to no one on this subject , I shall then be willing to enlighten you . " This seemed a strange proposaland I questioned him for its reason ; but

, he only repeated what he had said . After a little consideration I again accepted his offer , and promised to be there that clay week , and left him sitting on one of the stones . During the week I wondered what would be the end of this strange adventure , for its reason I could not account . But , determined to brave all dangers , I was there at the appointed hour , and found the old man

waiting for me . He led the way to one of the stones at my approach ( which I now observed had been raised on its side since my last inspection ) , and below which there was an opening in the earth , approached by a rude flight of steps . My guide beckoned me to descend , ancl , hesitating slightly , I followed him , wondering strangely what would happen next . When I had reached the bottom of the stairs I heard the stone at the top fall with a loud clang , which shot a pang through frame . Now I was in the of this beingfor

my power , evil or good , and I hardl y knew how to act . Preserving a calm demeanour , I thought they were , perhaps , vain fears on my part , ancl that this old man was , most probably , a sort of hermit , who lived here all alone , and whose intent would be perfectly harmless . I turned towards him , and , almost echoing my thoughts , he said , " I live here all alone , and have done for many years , ancl can show you some curious sihts are not afraid of a few dark ?

g ; you passages I ventured to answer in the negative , being relieved to find that he was the onl y inmate of that dismal place , though I could not help imagining I might be the victim of some ruse , and that I should never see the light of clay again . Through two or three long dark passages I followed my guide , and then we entered a large square room , lined with oak and furnished with curtains . " This , " said he , "is a council-room of the MODERN DRUIDS . "

Scarcely had he uttered these mysterious words than from behind the curtains rushed four old men , similar to himself , and seized upon me . So well timed and unexpected was their attack that I had not the least power to resist ,