The party got out of the jaunting-car and sat down at the water's edge to eat their lunch. There were no cakes or pies, but nothing could have tasted better to the hungry children than the thick slices of bread and butter, the home-made cheese, and the rich goat's milk. And then, every time they lifted their eyes they could see the green meadows on one side, and on the other the mountains covered with purple heather and thick forests. Out on the clear waters of Lough Lean were many little islands, looking like so many emeralds set in the silvery bosom of the lake. "What lovely homes they would make for the fairies," whispered Norah to Mollie. She always spoke of the fairies in a whisper. Perhaps she felt they might be provoked if she mentioned them in her usual voice. [Illustration: NORAH AND MOLLIE AT LOUGH LEAN.] "I believe they choose just such places to live in," answered Mollie. "I think there must be hawthorn-trees growing there." Both Norah and Mollie believed in fairies. They had as much faith in them as many little boys and girls in America have in Santa Claus. They thought hawthorn-trees the favourite places for the midnight parties of the fairies. It was in the shade of the hawthorn-trees that these beautiful sprites feasted on dew, and danced to the music of fairy harps. As the children sat whispering together, Molly's father began to tell the story of Lough Lean. The little girls were only too glad to listen. He told the old legend of the time when there was no lake at all. A fine city stood here in its place, and in the city there lived a brave warrior, whose name was O'Donaghue. Everything one could wish for was in the city except plenty of water. There was one small spring, to be sure. A great magician had given it to the people. But he had made one condition, which was this: whoever drew water from the spring must cover it with a certain silver vessel. It happened one day that the brave O'Donaghue drank more wine than he should. It made him very bold. He ordered his servants to go to the spring and bring him the silver bowl that covered it. "It will make a good bathtub for me," he said, and he laughed merrily. "Pray don't make us do this," cried his frightened servants. He laughed all the louder, and answered: "Don't be afraid. The water will be all the better for the fresh night air." The silver bowl was brought to the daring warrior. But as the servants entered the house, they imagined they heard terrible sounds about them. They shook with fear as they thought, "We are going to be punished for breaking the magician's command." One of the servants was so frightened that he left the city and fled to the mountains. It was well for him that he did so, for when the morning came, he looked down into the valley and saw no city at all. Not a sign of a house or living being was in sight. A sheet of water was stretched out before his astonished eyes. It was the beautiful Lough Lean.