“That several years ago a man flew up the river riding on a black cloud of smoke, and after scaring all the Indians and everybody else away, took up his abode in yonder island. Not a soul, from that day to this, has ever been nearer to it than we are now. But strange sights have been seen there. Once a great big swan, as large as our house, was seen to come out of the willows and leap into the water. After seeing it paddle about an hour or two in every direction, an old beaver trapper and deer hunter took it into his head that it was nothing more than a water-fowl of some large species; and resolving to have a crack at it anyhow, he crept behind the rocks at the end of the cliff, and blazed away when it swam past the next time. Mercy on us! when he fired, they say the thing turned his head towards him, and came at him in a straight line, and as fast as lightning, blowing sparks of fire out of its nostrils, while the poor man stood stock still, spell-bound, until it seized upon him, and he has never been heard of since.” “Nothing more?” asked Glenn, lightly, and smiling. “Good gracious! what more would you want? But there _was_ more; for the very next day, when the people were looking at the island from a distance, and wondering what had been the fate of old Odell, another large bird came out. But this was like an eagle, and instead of going into the water, it flew up into the air, and kept going higher and higher, until it was no bigger than a sparrow, and soon vanished altogether! I declare we are too near the island now, Mr. Glenn; let us go back; we have gone far enough!” said Joe, beseechingly, his own tale having roused all the terrors which his nature was capable of harboring. Glenn seemed to pay no attention to what his companion was saying, but strode onward directly towards the island. “Mr. Glenn!” continued Joe, stepping ahead, and facing him by turning round. “Oh, sir! you don’t certainly intend to venture any closer to that fatal spot?” “Pshaw!” replied Glenn, pushing him aside, and continuing on. When they were opposite the island, Joe, whose alarm had almost deprived him of the power of motion, was now struck with horror as he beheld his master pause, and then descend to the ice, and walk deliberately to the haunted ground! When Glenn reached the bank, he turned to his pale and shivering companion, and motioned him to follow. “Oh, Heaven! we’ll never be seen any more!” cried Joe, between his chattering teeth. “Come on, Joe! I’ll take care of you,” said Glenn, encouragingly, as his man hesitated in doubt when midway on the ice. “The holy saints preserve me!” said Joe, gliding over, quaking with fear, and clinging to Glenn’s hand.