requirements. I tried other establishments, and found that where the prices suited the boat did not, and that where the boat suited the price did not. All agreed that to get what would exactly suit me' was a question of time; all agreed that in a month or so whole fleets would be coming in to be laid up, and that then would be my opportunity. Yachts, I have since discovered, are very like horses-hard to sell, and yet, strange to say, harder to buy. All the agents brightened and became enthusiastic when a delay was mentioned, and almost scoffed at the notion of the proper craft not being forthcoming.

One morning-it was at the end of September-I received a letter with a black-edged envelope. It ran

'SIR,-I understand you want a yacht.

I have got one to sell.

'She is a new boat, cost a deal of money, is fitted handsomely, and will take you anywhere.

'A low price is asked.

'If you come down to Southampton, any day you choose to appoint, I shall show her to you.

'I wish to part with her at once. She is fitted out, having just returned from a voyage. 'Her name, the "BANSHEE.”

'I remain,

"Yours sincerely, 'STEPHEN BLACKWOOD.'

I felt that this was a proper business-like man to deal with. There was nothing about him corresponding to the three hundred ton, &c., though there was a bluntness in his style that was almost surly. I started the very next day, and found him at the hotel whence his letter was dated.

He was a tall, black-haired, barrister-faced man, very hard in

the features; one who, with suitable clothes and due amount of scrubbiness, would have had the true money-lending air. He was too genteel, however, for that, and was dressed in the best style. There was not the least nautical flavour about him, which was odd. A tall, Italian - looking woman was sitting with him, whose full, dark eyes expanded as they rested on me.

'Mrs. Blackwood,' he said, as she rose to leave the room. 'Now to business. What do you think of the boat?

Does she suit you?” 'I have not seen her.'

'Not seen her? Then we are only wasting time talking. Suppose you go and see her, and return here? She lies in the outer dock; not ten minutes" walk from this place.'

There was something in this style I did not quite relish; but, as it was to be a matter of business, I did not mind. I went straight to the docks, and saw the 'Banshee' lying out in the middle of the basin. There was an indescribable, solemn look about her-a solitary air, as she lay there, which struck me at the very first glance. Her hull was dark, and seemed to rest on the water in a dull, brooding fashion.

'Coffin-built, summut like,' said a voice beside me; but the best work is in her. No money was spared on her. Like to go aboard, sir?'

We went on board. The praise given was not too much. She was a beautifully-finished boat; her decks as smooth as a ballroom floor; brass-work, skylights, 'sticks,' spars, running-rigging, standing ditto-everything perfect, and everything handsome.

I went below. At the foot of the stair, to the right and left, were the saloon and ladies' cabin. The former seemed to me singu

larly gloomy, and somewhat like a dark study in an old house; but this, I found, was the effect of the sombre wood of which the fittings were made, and which I took to be ebony. This effect was the more curious, as the ladies' cabin was bright with the gayest chintz and pretty hangings, and the light shaded off by pink-lined muslin. The whole, indeed, was exactly the thing for me, save in one respect the price. Such a craft could not be had under some six or seven hundred pounds, which was much beyond what I could compass.

I returned.

'Well, you have seen the 9 Banshee," he said. 'Do you like her?-and will you take her?'

'I like her, certainly; though there is rather a gloomy, sepulchral look about her

He started up angrily. This ends the matter. I decline to sell my boat to you, sir. I must say it is hardly polite of a mere stranger to make such remarks to the owner. I shall not sell her.'

'Good,' I said; in any case I fear we should not have come to terms. You give me your opinion of myself with great frankness. I may then tell you that you are too sensitive a vendor for me.'

He looked at me, and laughed. 'I am fretted sometimes. You don't know the bother I have had with this boat. As to her cut and air, I can't help it. Possibly the builder was a gloomy one, orBut come to business. Will you

take her for six hundred pounds? Take it or leave it at that price.'

This was less than I had expected, but more than I could

manage.

'It is much below its value,' I answered; but the truth is, I can't go to such prices. So I must leave it.'

'Why, what do you want?' he said; not surely one of those twenty-year old tubs which you can pick up for forty or fifty pounds, and on which you have to lay out a couple of hundred before you can take an hour's sailing. Here,' he said, giving his desk a blow with his fist, 'take her. Take her at five hundred-four hundred. God bless my soul, can't you manage that? Why'

'I take her,' I said; and the 'Banshee' was mine.

II.

WHAT I SAW IN THE BANSHEE.'

After my purchase of the 'Banshee,' I felt rather depressed than elated. I went to look for the man in charge of her.

'So you've bought her,' he said. 'Well, you've made a good thing of it. There isn't a better boat afloat.'

'But why was he so anxious to be rid of her?'

The man looked at me steadily. 'Why?' he said; ah! that's it. She didn't suit him, I s'pose. Nor more than she may suit you; nor no more than she may the gent to whom you sell her at the end of the season.'

'But he seemed such a strango man,' I said.

'I wouldn't keep men,' I said, 'on any terms, who would think of behaving as you have done. There are plenty of as good men to be got. You may go.'

'Thank you; thank you, sir,' said the man, much relieved. 'Don't think hardly of us, for we are more or less druv to it.'

'Exactly,' I said; I am at least entitled to know your reasons for such a scandalous desertion.'

He shook his head solemnly. 'Why, there's why's, and why's, you know, sir; and some why's concerns one man, and some another. The boat's a good one, and will take you anywheres and allwheres. And I've nothing against your honour.'

'You may go,' I said.

This was not auspicious as a commencement. But it was to cause no inconvenience; for a handsome Cowes yacht came in

that very night to lay up, and three smart men, and a smarter volunteered on the spot.

boy, There was a pleasant breeze blowing, so we determined to get away in the morning.

With that commenced a new and most delightful life. The first day alone showed me what a charming mode of existence yachting was; and I foresaw that very soon, by this agreeable process, I should be quite restored to health and rational enjoyment of life. There was a surprising exhilaration in that fresh, open sea. The blue, salty waves were at their rude gambols, like lions in their more amiable moments. The fresh, piquant air brought back appetite, and seemed to give new strength. The effect, in these small boats, is as though one were standing on a plank in the middle of the ocean, the waves being but a few inches. from your feet. You are not, as in the greater vessels, screened off, as it were, from the direct touch of the waves and the breezes that sweep keenly over the surface of the waves. The day seemed to fly by too quickly; and when, about seven o'clock, we dropped anchor in a little harbour, I felt quite in good humour with the 'Banshee,' and could have patted it, as one would a faithful dog.

The boat was brought round to take me ashore, for I was going to dine at an hotel. As I was 'pulled' away by four stout arms, I looked back at my new craft, and was struck by the same curious, dark, sullen look of her hull, and the inky blackness of her rigging against the sky. It gave me the idea of something coiled up-something solemnand had not the gay, airy look we associate with a yacht. I stepped ashore, and bidding the men be steady and careful, and not neglect their duties, I went to the hotel