How I groaned as I beat to and fro up the lough, and how I wished I was away with Tim and father on the _Cigale_.
At last, late in the afternoon, I reached Rathmullan, and made fast my boat to the pier.

I was to call at the inn and find my young mistress there.
And there presently I found her, and a bright vision it was for me that dull afternoon.

She was a little maid, although she was a month or two my elder.

Her dark brown hair fell wildly on her shoulders, and her slight figure, as she stood there gazing at me with her big blue eyes, was full of grace and life.

Her lips were pursed into a quaint little smile as she looked at me, and before I could explain who I was, she said,-- "So you are Barry Gallagher?
How frightened you look! You needn't be afraid of me, Barry; I don't bite, though you look as if you thought so." "'Deed, Miss Kit," said I, "and if you did, I'm thinking there's worse things could happen." She laughed, and then bade me get together her boxes and carry them down to the boat.
Strange! Half-an-hour before I had been groaning over my lot.