The screams continued for some seconds, and then died away in one
long-drawn-out wail or sob. I waited for some minutes to see if there was
a repetition of the sounds, and, there being none, I at length got up, and
not, I confess, without considerable apprehensions, went out on to the
landing, where I found several of the other inmates of the house collected
together discussing with scared faces the screams which they, too, had
heard. An examination of the house and grounds was at once made, but
nothing was discerned that could in any way account for the sounds, and I
adhered to my opinion that it must have been the Banshee; which opinion
was very considerably strengthened, when, a few days later, I received the
news that an aunt of mine, an O'Donnell, in County Kerry, had passed away
within twenty-four hours of the time the screaming had occurred. It is,
perhaps, a dozen years or so since we left Cornwall, and my latest
experience of the Banshee took place in the house in which we are now
living near the Crystal Palace.
The experience occurred in connection with the death of my youngest
sister. On the night preceding her decease I dreamed most vividly that I
saw the figure of a female dressed in some loose-flowing, fantastic
garment come up the path leading to the house, and knock very loudly
several times, in quick succession, at the back door. I was going to
answer, when a sudden terror held me back.
"It's the Banshee," a voice whispered in my ear, "the Banshee. Don't let
her in, she's coming for one of you."
This so startled me that I awoke. I then found that my wife was awake
also, trembling all over, and in a great state of excitement.
"Did you hear that tremendous knock?" she whispered.
"What!" I replied. "You don't mean to say there really was a knock? Why, I
fancied it was only in my dream."
"You may have dreamt it," she said, "but I didn't--I heard it; it was at
this door, not at the front door. I say knock, but it was really a
crash--a terrific crash on the top panel of the door."
We anxiously waited to see if there would be a repetition, but, nothing
happening, we lay down again, and eventually went to sleep.
On the following day we received a telegram informing us that at ten
o'clock that morning my sister had passed away.
Since then, I am glad to relate I have not again come in contact with the
Banshee. At the same time, however, there are occasions when I feel very
acutely that she is not far away, and I am seldom, if ever, perhaps,
absolutely free from an impression that she hovers near at hand, ready to
manifest herself the moment either death or disaster threaten any member
of my family. Moreover, that she takes a peculiar interest in my personal
affairs, I have, alas, only too little reason to doubt.
ADDENDA
In reply to a letter of mine asking for particulars of the Banshee alleged
to be attached to the Inchiquin family, I received the following:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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