Stories
& Legends of Ireland
for
Children
The
Stolen Treasures, part 2
Sinéad
Bean Uí DeValera
She herself
was the only one to find a way. At the back of the house on the top
storey there was a large room. In it was a great wide chimney over a
huge fireplace. The witch climbed up the side of the house by clinging
to the thick, strong ivy that grew on the walls and by means of a rope
she had taken with her she was able to descend through the wide chimney
into a large grate. She knew how to find the room where the treasures
were stored. The bright, full moon shed its light through three large
uncurtained windows.
Facing
the light was a large table on which were placed many precious articles
and among these were the picture, the harp and the chain. The witch
knew to whom they belonged, she hated the owners and their parents.
One by one she took the three treasures and placed them in a sort of
handcart which she had left near the entrance to the castle, with cruel
satisfaction she hastened to her den.
There
was consternation in the castle when the family returned home. 'We shall
never see our treasures again," said Manissa. "We all know
it was the Black Witch who stole them and no one has ever recovered
anything stolen by her."
"Can
you, Maire," asked Ruairi, "do anything to help us in this
difficulty?"
"Let
me think," said Maire. "The witch must have come down along
the road that leads from her house to the castle."
"But
why should she travel along that long road when there is a short cut
across the fields?" asked Manissa.
"Because"
said Maire, "She would have had to cross the bridge over the river
that flows along to the sea and we all know that a witch cannot cross
running water."
"The
case is hopeless," said Manissa.
"No,
it is not hopeless," was Maire's reply, "if we can get three
people to undertake the work of restoring the treasures."
"Could not our sons undertake this matter?" asked Ruairi.
"No
it must be done by three girls," said Maire.
"But
where shall we find these girls?" asked Manissa. "We can find
them," said Maire, "in a little hovel near the river. Their
mother died about a year ago and the father did not long survive her.
A cruel uncle claimed all that the girls possessed and left them homeless."
"Send
for the girls at once," Ruairi ordered.
"By
your leave, Master," said Maire, "we will send for the eldest
first. If she is successful in restoring one of the treasures we can
send for the second, and if she succeeds the third can go."
"Well,
Maire, said Ruairi, "You have always been so clever and faithful
in looking after our affairs we will leave this matter entirely in your
hands."
"Will there be any reward for the return, of the treasures?"
asked Maire.
"Certainly
there will. You say that at present these girls are living in a miserable
hovel. If they succeed in restoring the treasures I will place them
in a fine, comfortable dwelling. You know, Nurse, the house where my
dear Uncle lived and died."
"Yes,
the one at a short distance from the castle."
"Yes , now it has been vacant since my Uncle's death some months
ago. It is a fine house and well furnished."
"Indeed Master it is and the grounds and gardens are beautiful.
They will be lucky girls if they possess such a lovely home." After
this conversation Maire went to the hut which was now the home of the
three girls Roisin, Emer and Ita. Three lovely girls they were too.
She told them about the robbery and of the reward that would be given
for the return of the treasures.
"Will
any of you girls undertake this adventure?" she asked.
"I will," was the answer from three voices.
