The  early  dawn  beheld  her  wandering  amongst
rocks,  accessible  only  to  the  sea-birds  and  her-
self. She  clambered  the  highest  point,  and  ex-
tended her  gaze  over  the  ocean,  which  •-till  angrily
chafed  and  growled  along  the  shore.  Beyond  the
breakers  the  surface  was  somewhat  smooth  :  but
little  was  Been  to  mark  where  the  islands  rented,
save  the  white  and  sparkling  foam  dashing  and
glittering  in  the  early  Light,  fineh  contrasted  with

the    deep    Colouring    of   the    sky   and    water.       Nelly

.still  grazed,  and  now  shaded  her  eyes  with  her  hand,
for  she  thought  she  discovered  something  like  a
motionless  mast  amongst  the  distant  breakers,  sin-
was  confirmed  in  this  opinion,  by  observing  several
floating  spars  and  casks  rapidly  Koine  towards  the
main  Land.  On  descending  to  the  beach,  she  found
many  of  the  neighbours  anxiously  watching  the
approach  of  what  they  considered  lawful  plunder.
••  The  wreck  is  between  the  Keerogues,  .1.
(,  5


130  KELLY   THE    PIPER.
said  Nelly  to  a  rough,  shaggy-looking  man,  who,
half  in  and  half  out  of  the  water,  was  straining
every  nerve  to  haul  in  a  cask,  in  danger  of  dashing
against  a  huge  dark  mass  of  rock  that  jutted  into
the  sea.
