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5
The Witch and the Mermaid
Debra was filled with joy after her swim with Dilo. She told Robin and Pat excitedly about it as they ate their evening meal. This got Pat into one of his talkative moods. The two children loved it when this happened.
“Have you heard the legend of Black Rock?” he asked them. “it’s a rather gruesome tale.”
“Oh good,” said Robin, who liked horror stories.
“The legend says that Black Rock is the home of an evil spirit. It sometimes appears in the form of a woman. An old hag. She is known as the Witch of Black Rock.” Pat paused for effect. “Most of the time she is quiet. When the weather is calm she stays well hidden. When there is a strong wind she moans. The legend say s that the noise is the Witch of Black Rock casting a spell. If a ship’s crew fall under her spell they are lured into the rocks. When the ship founders and the crew drown, the Witch of Black Rock turns them into crows. Most of the old fishermen around here are very superstitious. That’s why they keep well clear of Black Rock - even when the weather is good. If they see a crow they think it’s a bad omen.”
“Do you think the Witch of Black Rock caused the shipwreck of the Santa Maria?” asked Debra.
“Well. that’s what the old fishermen believe,” added Pat, recalling how Debra and her diving buddy Mike came upon the wreck after it was uncovered by a wild storm.
Debra remembered the adventures she had had around Black Rock. including the day she and Dilo discovered a gold ring buried in the sand. It was inscribed with love knots and Debra had worn it every day since. It was her most treasured possession.
“Do you know there is always a balance between good and evil,” continued Pat. It s called Yin and Yang.”
“Yin and Yang are strange words, said Debra.
“Well, if the Witch of Black Rock is Yin, then there has to be a Yang,” continued Pat.
“What do you mean?”
“The Yang is the Mermaid of The Silent Pool.”
“Oh tell us about her.” pleaded Debra.
“You know there is a cleft in the cliffs opposite the lighthouse. It leads into a big pool. It is usually calm in there, even in wild weather. That’s why it’s called The Silent Pool.”
“That’s where Dilo goes when he needs to be quiet. That’s where we took him when he was injured by the propeller of that awful boat Sea Wolf,” added Debra.
“That’s correct,” said Pat
“We never did find out if Sea Wolf was running drugs did we?” piped up Robin.
“No.” said Debra sharply. She didn’t like Robin interrupting. “Go on Uncle Pat, please tell us about the Mermaid,” pleaded Debra.
“Well the story goes that The Silent Pool, as it is called by the local fishermen, is the home of a mermaid who sometimes comes to the rescue of the victims of the Witch of Black Rock.”
Before the twins could ask anymore questions Pat said firmly. “It’s getting late. That’s enough for tonight. It’s time you two went to bed.”
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