Page 249 - Adventures in shadow-land

CH APTER IV.

THE BEWITCHED LOVER.

FF to Lisbon went the brig Sea-nymph,
and after her the poor merman. He

stayed there as long as the ship stayed,
hiding under boats and behind timbers, chased

more than once, in danger of his life every hour,
hardly able to get a glimpse of his idol. The

wooden nymph stood straight up in her place,
looking toward the city this time, because her head

happened to be turned that way.
Once a priest going across the water in a boat

happened to see him. The priest took him for a
demon, was dreadfully scared, and solemnly ctrrscd

him, as is the fashion of priests when they are
afraid of anything. Besides, such is the approved

mode of dealing with demons in those countries.
The report went abroad that there was an evil

U