text: 30 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE Rkv. JAMES MACDOUGALL. Folk Tales and Fairy Lore IN GAELIC AND ENGLISH COLLECTED FROM ORAL TRADITION BY Rev. JAMES MACDOUGALL Sometime Minister of Duror Author of " Craignish Tales," and " Folk and Hero Tales " EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES By Rev. GEORGE CALDER, B.D. Minister of Strathfillan Author of "The Irish iEneid " Honorary Member of the Caledonian Medical Society EDINBURGH: JOHN GRANT 31 GEORGE IV. BRIDGE 1910 TO THE CALEDONIAN MEDICAL SOCIETY, DISTINGUISHED ALIKE FOR PROFESSIONAL SKILL AND FOR HEREDITARY INTEREST IN THE HIGHLANDS, THIS VOLUME OF HIGHLAND TRADITIONS IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE EDITOR. EDITOR'S PREFACE. I HAVE pleasure in acknowledging my indebtedness to Mrs. MacDougall for her whole-hearted interest in the progress of the work from first to last, for transcribmg the English Text, and for approving numerous minor changes in expression, which I had suggested, and thus relieving me from the sole responsibility of making those changes. It is but right to say, however, that as the work advanced through the press, I felt impelled to make the alterations in the text, and especially in the translation, much more thorough-going than I had at first contemplated. In the Gaelic text I have endeavoured to simplify the spelling, and therefore excluded such MS. forms as daramh (dara), 'san t-seallamh ('san t-sealladh), a' deanadh (deanamh), o'n taice so (tac) p. 1 68, romh (roimh), sid (sud). Fhalbh (p. 32) remains as probably the correct form of thallaibh. The final vowel of fern, a stems has been printed in full, as also of the verbal perfects cuala, faca; and, latterly, whenever possible, the substitution of commas for letters, or words, has been avoided. Traces of the fern, a stem accusative sing, have been retained, e.g., cuir umad cirb de mo bhreacan, p. 214; as also an old accusative pi. mas. a stem used as nom. chuir na feara eòlas, p. 16 ; while other traces of the accusative mas. stems are gus an cuala e an aon ghuth, p. 138; and ach an aon, p. 86. Some combinations have been retained, which, though not strictly grammatical, are universally in use, such as — a' trusadh a cuid, p. 270; ag cur bacadh, p. 298; le run tilleadh, p. 302; gun tuilleadh dàil, p. 8; bhàrr a' bhùird-obair, p. 150; do 'n bhean bhochd. p. 100. The common spelling has been adhered to in words like àiridh, cha'n, sithe in preference to the more correct àirigh, cha n-, sidhe; and the accent has been retained on the two short unaccented words a out of, am time, as in MS. Tacain, for a while, is uniformly so written in MS., cf. Stokes' Goid.* 149 b. A trace of the original neuter gender of benn is preserved, e.g., aig sail Beinne Bhric, p. 242, where the MS. has Beinn-a- Bhric. Entirely new matter added by the Editor is enclosed in square brackets. Unfortunately, the first three formes, up to p. 48, were printed off prematurely; and therefore, while regretting numerous printers errors (the gravest of which is heared, p. 15), I entreat readers to keep in view the following corrigenda : — Read — tèaruinte, p. 6, 44. is i a' sineadh. p. 12. de'n airgiod ghill, p. 20. gealltainn, p. 20. fo'n stairsnich, p. 22. cho fada is a, p. 22. na faidhreach, p. 22. is a bha e, p. 26. cha, gu'n, tugadh, p. 30, 36. bhoidich, p. 40. dhirich, p. 42. bha e a' dol, p. 44. comharraichte, p. 182. In conclusion, I beg to express my warmest thanks to friends and correspondents who have taken an interest in the work, among others to Mr. Henry Whyte, "Fionn," who looked over the sheets as they were passing through the press; to Mr. Duncan M 'Isaac, who carefully read proofs of the whole book; and especially to Rev. C. M. Robertson, who, in addition to reading the proofs, has given me the benefit of his opinion on points of difficulty in the text, and has suggested several corrections. Though unable to adopt every suggestion that has been made, or to agree with everything in the book itself, I have had much pleasure in the work of editing it, and part with it in the hope that it will prove no unworthy monument to the literary memory of a highly cultured and worthy man. BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION. From the days of Dr. Johnson and Mr. Boswell, who speaks of Mr. Donald Macqueen as "a very learned minister in the Isle of Sky whom both Dr. Johnston and I have mentioned with regard," the lamp of learning has burnt steadily, if sometimes obscurely, among the Highland clergy. The Church of Scotland sees to it that ministers shall possess the modicum demanded by her standards. But here and there ministers of studious habits, not content with the ordinary elements of education, strike out in new directions. Too seldom has their attention been turned to Gaelic, of which the duties of their ofifice demand an accurate knowledge and a fluent use. A whole world of poetry, tradition, superstition, anecdote, proverb, and clever repartee is famihar to the rank and file of the Highland clergy within the sphere of their labour and recreation, but this knowledge has been turned to literary account by only a few. Mr. James MacDougall was one of those who during a long life consistently maintained the best traditions of his class. A native of Craignish, where he was born in 1833, he engaged in tutorial work and teaching before entering college. Following the usual curriculum, he was at length ordained, and became a missionary, preaching in remote glens of the West Highlands till he was presented to the Parish of Duror. The Royal Seal, bearing date 1 2th July, 187 1, now lies before me, together with a note of charges for the same, amounting to £, t long enjoy his happiness. When he reached home, they told him that a giant stole his wife while he was away. He vowed that mire would not go out of his shoe, or water out of his hose, till he should find his wife, or till he should lose his life in the attempt. In the dawn of the morning he set off, and he was travelling till there was blackening on his soles, and holing on his shoes, the little nestling, folding, yellow- tipped birds were taking to rest at the foot of the bushes, and in the tops of the trees; the little, nimble, pretty squirrels were choosing, as best they could, crevices for each other; but though they were, Cathal O'Cruachan was not. He saw a little house with a light in it, a long way from him, but though it was a long way from him, he was not a long time in reach- ing it. What house had he here but that of the Dog of the Great Mull? The kind Dog said: "Cathal O'Cru- achan, poor man, thy pretty wife went past here last night with the Big Giant, she being on his shoulder." Cathal got well treated by the kind dog, if the venison of red deer and roes, the flesh of sheep and wethers, abundance oi goat-skin under him, and sheep- skin over him, would suffice. He slept as comfort- ably as he ever did. When he got up in the morning he was well treated by the Dog, and when he was taking farewell with him he said to him: "If hard- ship or necessity shall ever come on thee, in which swiftness of foot will be of use to thee, think of me, and I will be at thy side." 60 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. thaghadh iad fein d'a cheile; ach ged bha iad-san, cha robh Cathal O' Cruachan. Chunnaic e tigh beag soluis fad' uaith, ach ged b' fhada uaith cha b' fhada 'ga ruighinn e. Chaidh e stigh, agus gu de bha an so ach tigh Seabhag (hreag na Sgeilpe. Thubhairt an t-Seabhag ris: " A dhuine bhochd, chaidh do bhean bhrèagh seachad an so an raoir aig an Fhamhair Mhor air a ghualainn." Fhuair e gabhail aige gu math le Seabhag Chreag na Sgeilpe na 'n deanadh eòin ruadha, 's tàrmachain, liath-chearcan, is gach seòrsa eun a b' annasaiche na chèile sin. Chuir an t-Seabhag a laighe e, air dim iteag a thainig thairis air. " Caidil thusa gu socair, a Chathail O' Cruacliain; is fear-faire furachail Seabhag Chreag na Sgeilpe," ars i. Chaidil e gu socrach, agus 'n uair a dh' eirich e 's a' mhaduinn, fhuair e gabhail aige gu math, leis an t-Seabhaig. 'N uair a bha e a' falbh, thubhairt i ris: " Ma thig cas no èiginn ort am feasd anns an dean da sgèith luath, làidir, feum dhuit, cuimhnich orm-sa, agus bithidh mise ri d' thaobh. Thog e an sin air, agus bha e a' falbh gus an robh dubhadh air a bhonnaibh, agus tolladh air a bhrògan, na h-eòin bheaga, bhuchallach, bhachlach, bhàrra- bhuidhe a' gabhail mu thamh am bun nam preas 's am barr nan dos; na h-easagan lughach, lagliach, mar a b' fhearr a thaghadh iad fein d'a chèile; ach ged bha iad-san, cha robh Cathal O' Cruachan. Chunnaic e tigh beag soluis fad' uaith, ach ged b' fhad' uaith e, cha b' fhada 'ga ruighinn e. Chaidh e stigh, agus gu de bha so ach tigh Dreathan - donn Sruth an t-Siubhail. Fhuair e a shuipeir o an Dreathan de phronnaig arain agus chaise. Chuir e laighe e ann an dun còinnich, a bha cho socrach aige ri leabadh iteag na Seabhaige. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 6 1 He was travelling until there was blackening on his soles and holing on his shoes; the little nestling, folding, yellow-tipped birds, taking to rest at the root of the bushes, and in the tops of the trees; the little, nimble, pretty squirrels, as best they could, choosing sheltering- places for each other, but though they were, Cathal O'Cruachan was not. He saw a little housL with a light in it a long way from him, but though it was a long way from him, he was not a long time in reaching it. He went in, and what was this but the house of the Falcon of the Rock of the Ledge. The Falcon said to him: "Poor man, thy beautiful wife went past here last night on the shoulder of the Big Giant." He got well treated by the Falcon of the Rock of the Ledge, if grouse and ptarmigan, greyhens and every sort of birds that was rarer than another, would do that. The Falcon put him to bed in a heap of feathers which came over him. " Sleep peacefully, Cathal O'Cruachan, a vigilant watcher is the Falcon of the Rock of the Ledge." He slept peacefully; and when he rose in the morning, he got well treated by the Falcon. When he was going away she said: " If hardship or distress shall ever come upon thee, in which two swift strong wings will be of use to thee, think of me, and I will be at thy side." He then set off, and he was travelling until there was blackening on his soles, and holing on his shoes; the little nestling, folding, yellow-tipped birds were taking to rest at the foot of the bushes and in the tops of the trees; the little, nimble, pretty squirrels as best they could chose resting places for each other, but if they were, Cathal O'Cruachan was not. He saw a little house with a light in it a long way from him ; but though it was a long way from him, he was not a long time in reaching it. He went in, and what was this but the house of the 62 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Air an la màireach 'n uair a bha e 'gabhail beann- achd leis, thubhairt e ris: " Ala thig cas no eiginn ort ri d' thim, anns an dean mise feum dhuit, cuimhnich orm-sa, agus bithidh mise ri d' thaobh." Air feasgar an la sin ràinig e tigh an Fhamhair. 'N uair chunnaic a bhean e, thubhairt i ris: " Feumaidh tu dol am falach, oir marbhaidh am Famhair thu, cho luath 's a thig e." Chuir i an sin am falach e cho math 's a dh' fhaodadh i. 'N uair a thàinig am Famhair as a' Bheinn-sheilge, agus a chaidh e stigh, thubhairt e: "I! Ho! Hothagaich ! tha mi a' faireachdainn fàile arrabhalaich an so an nochd." " Cha'n 'eil ann ach eun a thug an cat a stigh 's a tha mise a' ròstadh." 'N uair a chaidh am Famhair a laighe, thòisich a' bhean ri ràdh ris: " Cha ghabh thu marbhadh leis cho làidir 's a tha thu." "Cha ghabh mi marbhadh le leum orm fèin aghaidh ri aghaidh," ars am Famhair. " Ach am faca thu an stoc a tha mach mu choinneamh an doruis ? Tha caora am broinn an stuic, agus tha eun am broinn na caorach, agus tha ubh am broinn an eòin: agus co fhad' 's a bhitheas an t-ubh slàn, tha mo bheatha-sa tèaruinte. Dh' èirich am Famhair 's a' mhaduinn, agus thog e air do 'n Bheinn-sheilge. Cha bu luaithe a chaidh e as an t-sealladh thar gualainn na beinne na bha Cathal a mach leis an tuaigh. 'N uair a sgoilt e 'n stoc, leum caor' air falbh as le luathas mor. Sheall e as a dèidh, agus chunnaic e nach robh ann ach faoineachd dha dol 'ga ruith. An sin thubhairt e ris fèin: " Nach bu mhath an so Madadh na Maoile Moire," agus mu 'n gann bha am facal a mach a 'bheul, bha 'm Madadh am broilleach na caorach. Thàinig e leatha, agus dh' fhàg e i eadar a chasan. Dh' fhosgail Cathal an sin a' chaora, ach cha bu luaithe a rinn e sin na leum eun a mach aisde, agus a sgiath e air falbh. Thubhairt e FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 63 Brown Wren of the Stream of Flowing. He got from the Wren his supper of crumbs of bread and cheese. He put him to bed in a heap of moss, which he found as comfortable as the feather bed of the Falcon. On the morrow when he was taking farewell with him, he said: " If hardship or distress come upon thee in thy time, in which I can do thee good, think of me, and I will be at thy side." On the evening of that day he reached the Giant's house. W^hen his wife saw him, she said: "Thou must hide thyself, for the Giant will kill thee as soon as he w'ill come." She then hid him as well as she might. When the Giant came from the Hunting-hill and went in, he said: "E! Ho! Hoagich ! 1 feel the smell of a traitor here to-night." "It is only a bird which the cat brought in, and which I am roasting," said the woman. When the Giant went to bed, the woman began to say to him: " Thou canst not be killed, as thou art so strong." " 1 can not be killed by attacking me face to face," said the Giant. " But hast thou seen the stock outside opposite the door ? There is a sheep in the centre of the stock, and there is a bird in the belly of the sheep, and there is an egg in the belly of the bird; and as long as the egg remains whole my life shall be safe." The Giant rose in the morning and set off to the Hunting-hill. No sooner did he go out of sight over the shoulder of the ben than Cathal was out with the axe. When he split the stock, a sheep sprang away with great speed. He looked after her, and saw that it was but folly for him to go and chase her. Then he said to himself: " How useful the Dog of the Great Mull would be here!" and almost before the expres- sion was out of his mouth, the Dog was in the breast 64 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. an sin ris fein : " Nach bu mhath an so Seabhag Chreag na Sgeilpe. Mu 'n gann bha 'm facal a mach as a bheul, thàinig an t-Seabhag choir, agus thug i air ais an Caiman marbh, agus dh' fhàg i aig a chasan e. Cha bu luaithe a dh' fhosgail Cathal an t-eun na thuit ubh a mach as, agus rol e stigh do chàrn mòr chlach a bha dlùth do 'n àite. Ghlaodh an sin a' bhean ris: "A Chathail O' Cruachain, greas ort: tha am Famhair an dèidh tighinn thar faobhar na beinne a' gabhail gach sligh' a's giorra na cheile." An sin thubhairt Cathal; "Nach bu mhath an so Dreathan-donn Sruth an t-Siubhail," agus mu 'n gann a thubhairt e 'm facal, sud an Dreathan a stigh do 'n chàrn, agus a mach thàinig e, is an t-ubh aige 'na ghob. Cha mhor nach robh am Famhair aig an Dreathan cho luath ri Cathal O' Cruachan. Ach shin an Dreathan an t-ubh do Chathal, chuir e fo bhròig e, agus bhrist e e. Cha luaithe a bhrist Cathal an t-ubh na thuit am Famhair marbh an taobh a stigh do leth-cheud ceum dha. Dh' fhuirich Cathal O' Cruachan agus a bhean an oidhche sin an tigh an Fhamhair. Air an ath latha thug iad leò gach or is airgiod a bh' ann. Thug iad leò, mar an ceudna, Dreathan-donn Sruth an t-Siubhail, Seabhag Chreag na Sgeilpe, agus Madadh na Maoile Moire. Agus an uair a ràinig iad an dachaidh fein, rinn iad cuilm mhor, thlachdmhor dhoibh fein, d' an coimhearsnaich, is d' an cairdean. 'N uair a theirig a' chuilm, thubhairt am Madadh: " Feumaidh sinne 'bhi falbh." Ach thubhairt Cathal: "Cha bhi." "Feumaidh mise falbh co dhiùbh," deir am Madadh, " oir bithidh mo thigh air a robadh aig sionnaich, aig feòcullain, is aig taghain." Thubhairt an t-Seabhag: " Feumaidh mise falbh cuideachd, oir bithidh mo dhachaidh air FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. 65 of the sheep. He came with her, and left her between his feet. Cathal then opened the sheep, and no sooner had he done so than a bird sprang out of her, and flew away. Then said he to himself: " How useful would be here the Falcon of the Rock of the Ledge! " Almost before the word was out of his mouth the kind Falcon came, and brought back the dove dead, and left it at his feet. No sooner did Cathal open the bird than an egg fell out of it, and rolled into a cairn, which was near the place. The wife then cried: " O! Cathal O'Cruachan ! make haste, the Giant is after coming over the edge of the ben, taking each way that is shorter than another." Then said Cathal: "How useful would be here the Brown Wren of the Stream of Flowing! " and almost before he had uttered the words, there was the Wren within the cairn, and out he came with the egg in his bill. The Giant was almost as soon as Cathal near the Wren ; but the Wren reached the egg to Cathal, who put it under his shoe, and broke it. No sooner had he broken the egg than the Giant fell dead within fifty paces of him. Cathal O'Cruachan and his wife stayed that night in the Giant's house. The next day they took all the gold and silver they found there. They also took with them the Brown Wren of the Stream of Flowing, the Falcon of the Rock of the Ledge, and the Dog of the Great Mull. And when they reached their own home, they made a great liberal feast for themselves, their neighbours, and their friends. When the feast came to an end, the Dog said: " We must be going." But Cathal said: "You will not be going." " I must go, at anyrate," said the Dog. "My house will be robbed by foxes, pole -cats, and martins." The Falcon said: " I also must go, for my F 66 FAIRV TALES AND FOLK LORE. a robadh aig feannagan, 's aig fithich." Agus thubhairt an Dreathann : " Bithidh mise 'faibh an cuideachd mo chàirdean, o 'n tha iadsan làidir agus mise lag. Bithidh iad 'nan cuideachd dhomh air an t-slighe." Thubhairt an t-Seabhag ris: " Leum an àird CÙI mo dhà sgèithe, agus cha bhean eun eile dhuit, gus an ruig thu dhachaidh." Ghabh an sin Cathal O' Cruachan an cead càirdeil r' a chàirdean. Dhealaich mise riu aig an dorus, agus thug mi dhachaidh orm. FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. 6^ house will be robbed by hooded crows and ravens." " I will be going in the company of my friends," said the Wren, "since they are strong and I weak. They will be company for me on the way." The Fal- con said to the Wren: "Spring up between my two wings, and no other bird will touch thee, till thou shalt reach home." Cathal O'Cruachan then took leave of his friends. I parted with them at the door, and betook myself home. DOMHNULL NAN CUAL. Bha Domhnull 'na fhear-giùlain connaidh gu tigh duin'-uasail àraidh a bha 'san tir, agus is ann air an aobhar sin a thugadh Domhnull nan Cual air mar ainm. Bha Domhnull a' saothrachadh gu dichiollach gach latha, ach an deidh sin uile cha robh fois aige 'na inntinn, ann an aon fhocal cha robh e riaraichte le 'staid. Air la àraidh, is e air a rathad gu tigh an duin'- uasail, ro sgith leis an eallaich-chonnaidh a bh' air a mhuin, choinnich duin'-uasal òg e a thubhairt ris: " Tha thusa, a Dhomhnuill choir, 'gad shàrachadh. Nach 'eil thu 'fas sgith de ghiùlan a' chonnaidh?" "Tha, gu dearbh, gle sgith; agus bhithinn coma ged gheibhinn atharrachadh seirbhise," deir Domhnull. An sin thubhairt an duin'-uasal òg ris: " A Dhomh- nuill, is mise am Bàs; agus ma ghabhas tu seirbhis agam, ni mi lighiche dhiot, ach air chumhnant gu 'm faigh mi thu a' cheud uair a bheir thu 'n car asam." Ghabh Domhnull ris a' chumhnant, oir b' fhearr leis rud air bith na bhi ag giijlan connaidh. Thubhairt am Bàs an sin ris: " 'N uair theid thu dh' fhaicinn duine thinn, ma chi thu am Bàs 'na sheasamh aig a cheann, cha ghabh thu gnothuch ris, oir cha bhi e beò; ach ma bhitheas e 'na sheasamh aig a chasan, gabhaidh tu e os laimh, oir bithidh e beò. Bha Domhnull a' deanamh mar dh' iarradh air, agus [DONALD OF THE BURTHENS. Donald was a fire-wood carrier to the house of a certain nobleman who lived in the country, and it is for that reason he was called Donald of the Burthens. Donald was labouring diligently every day, but after all his mind was not at rest — in one word, he was not satisfied with his condition. On a certain day, as he was on his way to the noble- man's house, very weary with the burden of wood that was on his back, a young gentleman met him, who said to him: "Worthy Donald, you are wearing yourself out. Are you not growing weary of the fire-wood carrying?" "Yes! indeed! weary enough; and I should not care though I should get a change of occu- pation," said Donald. Then said the young gentle- man to him: " Donald, I am Death; and if you take service with me I'll make a Doctor of you, but on condition that I get you the first time that you cheat me." Donald accepted the condition, for he would rather anything than continue carrying firewood. Then Death said to him: "When you'll go to see a sick man, if you see Death standing at his head, you'll take nothing to do with him, for he'll not live; but if He be standing at his feet, you will take him in hand, for he will live." Donald was doing as was requested of him, and 70 FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. bha gach ni a' soirbheachadh leis. Gach duine a theireadh e bhi theachd beò, bhitheadh e beò; agus gach neach a theireadh e bhitheadh marbh, bhitheadh e marbh. Dh' fhàs an Righ an sin ro bhochd. Chaidh fios a chur air Domhnull, agus thàinig e chum a' Chaisteil. Ach 'n uair chaidh e stigh gu taobh leabadh an Righ, chunnaic e 'n gòsganach ud 'na sheasamh aig a cheann, agus cha ghabhadh e gnothach ris. Mu dheireadh cho-eignich iad e gu rud-eigin a dheanamh air a shon. Dh'iarr e 'n sin an Righ a thionndadh 'san leabadh gus am bitheadh a cheann far an robh 'chasan, agus a chasan far an robh 'cheann. Cha luaithe a chaidh so a dheanamh na thòisich an Righ ri fas na b' fhearr. Chunnaic e 'n so am Bàs ag èalaidh sìos gu ceann an Righ, agus dh' iarr e 'n Righ a thionndadh air ais d'a àite ris. Chaidh a' chluich so air adhart car tacain gus mu dheireadh an do ghabh am Bàs a' leithid de chorruich 's gu'n d' fhalbh e mach 'na dheann. 'N uair dh' fhàs an Righ gu math, thog Domhnull air, ach cha deachaidh e fad' o'n Chaisteal 'n uair choinnich am Bàs e. " Tha thu agam, a nis," deir am Has, " oir bhrist thu 'n cumhnant. Thug thu 'n car asam." " Tha sin mar sin, gun teagamh," thubhairt Domh- null, " ach an leig thu leam gus an abair mi m' ùrnaigh ? " Cheadaich am Bas dha a iarrtas. Thionn- daidh an sin Domhnull ris, agus thubhairt e: " Cha'n abair mi idir i." Dh'fhàg an so am Bas e ann am mòr-chorruich, a' bòideachadh gu 'm bitheadh e suas ris fhathast air-son a chuir. Bha Domhnull air a fhàgail dha fhein a nis; cha robh am Bas a' cur dragha air bith air. Bha gach ni a' soirbheachadh leis, agus bha e 'fas fo mhor-mheas 'san dijthaich. Air la araidh, agus Domhnull ag FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. 71 everything was prospering with him. Every man he said would live, lived; and every person he said would die, died. Then the King grew very poorly. Word was sent to Donald, and he came to the Castle. But when he went within to the King's bedside, he saw that spectre standing at his head, and would take nothing to do with him. In the end they prevailed upon him to do something for him. He then asked that the King should be turned in the bed, till his head should be- where his feet were, and his feet where his head was. No sooner was this done than the King began to grow better. Donald now saw Death creeping down to the King's head, and he asked that the King should be turned back to his place again. This game went on for some time, till in the end Death got into such a passion that he went away as fast as he could. When the King grew well, Donald took his de- parture, but he had not gone far from the Castle when Death met him. "I have you now," said Death, *' for you have broken the condition. You have cheated me." "That is so, without a doubt," said Donald; "but will you allow me respite till I say my prayers ? " Death granted his request. Donald then turned to him and said: " I'll never say them at all." Death now left him in a great rage, vowing that he would be up- sides with him yet for his trickery. Donald was now left to himself; Death was not causing him any trouble. Everything continued prosper- ing w^ith him, and he was growing to great esteem in the country. On a certain day, as Donald was walk- 72 FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. imeachd an rathaid 'na aonar, choinnich buidheann bheag de chloinn na sgoil' e, agus iad, a reir coltais, ro bhrònach. Bha Domhnull blàth-chridheach, agus le sin chaidh e null, agus dh' fhiosraich e dhiubh cion-fàth an trioblaide. Fhreagair iad: " Cha'n urrainn sinn ar n-iirnaigh a ràdh, agus peanasaichidh ar Maighstir sinn." Cha b' urrainn do Dhomhnull so a sheasamh. Shuidii e taobh an rathaid leis a' chròilein timchioll air, agus theagaisg e 'n iirnaigh dhoibh. Cha luaithe a dh' fhalbh a' chlann na thàinig am Bàs, agus thubhairt e ri Domhnull: " Tha thu agam a nis, CO dhiubh! " An sin fhreagair Domhnull: " Is iongantach an duine thu: cha'n 'eil ait' anns nach bi thu : tha iad ag innseadh dhomh-sa, ged rachadh do chur ann am botul, gu 'n tigeadh tu as, agus gu 'm marbhadh tu." " Tha sin fior," deir am Has. " Cha'n 'eil mi 'gad chreidsinn, ach tha botul agam-sa, agus feuch an teid thu ann." Chaidh am Bàs 's a' bhotul, agus bhuail Domhnull an core ann gu teann, ag ràdh aig a' cheart am: " Fan thusa an sin." Dh' fhalbh e leis a' bhotul, agus thilg e mach air loch e, agus bha e saor aon uair eile. An ceann ùine, gun bhi fada, thàinig am botul gu tir far an deachaidh a bhristeadh. Fhuair am Bàs an sin mu sgaoil, is cha do stad e gus an do rhuir e crioch air Domhnull. FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. 73 ing on the road alone, a small troop of school children met him. They were apparently very downcast. Donald was warm-hearted, and on this account he went over and asked them the cause of their trouble. They answered: " We cannot say our prayer, and our Master will punish us." Donald could not stand this. He took a seat at the side of the road, with the small group around him, and taught them their prayer. No sooner had the children gone than Death came, and said to Donald: " I have you now, at all events." Then said Donald: "You are a wonderful fellow; there's no place where you are not; they tell me that, though you were put in a bottle, you would come out and kill?" "That is true," said Death. "I don't believe you ; but I have a bottle here — try whether you'll go in." Death went into the bottle, and Donald knocked the cork in tight, remarking at the same time: *' Stop you there." He went away with the bottle, and threw it out on a loch, and he was once more free. After a time not long delayed, the bottle came to land where it was broken. Death then got at large, and never halted till he had put an end to Donald.] IAIN DUBH LEODHASACH, SEOLADAIR. B' E mac iasgair a bh' ann an Iain Dubh. An uair a bha e 'na bhalachan beag, bhàthadh 'athair, agus an deidh sin thogadh e le bràthair 'athar. Bha e a' fuireachd goirid as do'n Acarsaid Mhoir an Leodhas, far am b' àbhaist da blii 'g iasgach, agus a' faicinn nan soithich- ean a bha 'tadhal na h-Acarsaid. Ghabh e mar so speis mhor do'n mhuir, agus mu dheireadh cha'n fhoghnadh ceàird air bith leis, ach a bhi 'na sheòladair. Air feasgar àraidh chunnaic e long bhrèagh a* tighinn fo làn-aodaich a stigh do'n chala, agus bha leis nach fac' e riamh roimhe sealladh 'bu bhòidhche. Leum e stigh 'na bhàt'-iasgaich beag fein agus mu'n d' ràinig acair na luinge an grunnd, bha e air bòrd oirre. Dh'fheith e gus an robh a h-aodach paisgte, agus an sin dhirich e aon de na croinn, agus thòisich e air ruith a mach 's a stigh air na slataibh agus air streap air na ruip, mar chunnaic e na seòladairean a' deanamh. Thug an Sgiobair fa-near cho dàna, tap- aidh 's a bha e, agus cho luath 's a theirinn e as a' chrann; agus dh'fheòraich e dheth am bu mhath leis a bhi 'na sheòladair? Fhreagair Iain Dubh nach robh ni air bith air an t-saoghal a b' fhearr leis. " Falbh dhachaidh, ma-tà, " ars an Sgiobair, "agus faigh cead d' athar, agus thigibh le cheile 'n so am màireach, agus ma chòrdas sibh fein agus mise, leigidh mise leat falbh còmhla rium-sa, agus an t-seòladaireachd ionnsachadh. Thubhairt Iain Dubh nach robh 'athair BLACK -HAIRED JOHN OF LEWIS, SAILOR. A fisher's son was Black-haired John. When he was a little boy his father was drowned, and after that he was brought up by his uncle. He lived a short dis- tance from the Great Anchorage (now Stornoway), in Lewis. There he used to fish, and see the vessels that frequented the Anchorage. He thus took a great liking for the sea, and at length no trade would please him but to be a sailor. On a certain evening he saw^ a fine ship coming into the haven under full sail, and it seemed to him that never before had he seen a more beautiful sight. He sprang into his own little fishing boat, and before the ship's anchor reached the bottom, he was on board of her. He waited until her sails had been furled, and then he ascended one of the masts, and began to run out and in on the yards, and to climb the ropes as he saw the sailors do. The Captain noticed how bold and active he was, and as soon as he descended from the mast, he asked him whether he would like to be a sailor ? Black John answered that there was nothing in the world he would like better. " Go home, then," said the Captain, " and get thy father's leave, and to-morrow come ye here together; and if ye and I agree, I will let thee go away with me and learn sailoring." Black John said that his 76 FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. beò, ach gu'n iarradh e cead bràthair 'athar. Dh' fhoghainn sin leis an Sgiobair, agus dh'fhalbh Iain Dubh dhachaidh le cabhaig mhòir. Moch air an ath latha thill e air ais 'na ruith 's 'na leum, agus mu'n gann a fhuair e air bòrd, thubhairt e le gàirdeachas gu'n d' fhuair e làn-chead o bhràthair 'athar falbh leis an luing. "Agus an d' thubhairt e diog riut mu mhuinntireas a ghabhail ? " ars an Sgiobair. " O, thubhairt," fhreagair Iain Dubh, " tha mi ri mi fein a cheangal ris an luing fad rhoig bliadhna, chum gu'n ionnsaich mi an t-seòladaireachd gu ceart." " Agus gu de a thubhairt e riut mu thuarasdal ? ' "Thubhairt gu'n robh mi ri bonn-a-sè fhaotainn aig ceann a' cheud mhiosa agus da bhonn-a-sè aig ceann an dara miosa, a' diiblachadh mar sin duals gach miosa gu deireadh nan coig bliadhna." Rinn an Sgiobair glag mor gàire air tuarasdal Iain Duibh, agus gun smuainteachadh roimh làimh air ciod a bha e 'dol a dheanamh, thubhairt e: " Gheibh thu sin, a laochain "; agus chaidh Iain a cheangal ris an luing le bann-cèirde. Air an ath latha sheòl an long a mach as an Acarsaid, agus chaidh i air turus-cuain do dhùthaich fad' air falbh. Ràinig i an t-àite gus an robh i ri dol, agus dh'fhuirich i fada thairis, ach aig ceann cheithir bliadhna phill i air a h-ais do Shasunn, agus ann an toiseach na coigeamh bliadhna de mhuinntireas Iain Duibh, ràinig i 'm baile-puirt d'am buineadh i. Thàinig a sealbhadairean air bòrd oirre, agus an dèidh dhoibh an Sgiobair fhàilteachadh, thòisich iad air amharc mu thimchioll na luinge. Bha Iain Dubh air fas 'na ghille gasda agus 'na sheòladair taghta. Ach fathast cha d'fhuair e peighinn a thuarasdail, na b' fhaide na tasdan no dha a nis 's a rithist an uair a bhitheadh e 'dol air tir leis na seòladair- FAIRY TALES AND FOLK LORE. 77 father was not living, but that he would ask his uncle for leave to go. That satisfied the Captain, and John went home in great haste. Early next day he returned, running and leaping, and scarcely had he got on board when he said with joy that he had got his uncle's full permission to go with the ship. " And did he say nothing to thee about taking an engagement? " said the Captain. " O yes," answered John, " I am to bind myself to the ship for five years that I may learn seamanship aright." " And what did he say to thee about wages?" "He said that I was to get a half-penny at the end of the first month, two half-pennies at the end of the second month, and so doubling the wages of each succeeding month to the close of the five years." The Captain laughed aloud at Black John's wages, and without thinking beforehand of what he was about to do, he said: "Thou shalt get that, my little hero," and John was then bound to the ship by a deed of indenture. On the following day the ship sailed out of the Anchorage, and went on a long voyage to a far away country. She reached the seaport to which she was bound, and stayed a long time abroad, but at the end of four years she returned to England; and in the beginning of the fifth year of Black John's engage- ment, she arrived at the seaport to which she be- longed. Her owners came on board, and after welcoming the Captain they began to look over the ship. Black John had grown into a fine lad and an excel- lent sailor. But he had not yet got a penny of his 7  FAIRY LORE. 1 25 of the pen. The fairy arrow would kill without loaving behind it any visible wound. The relater of the last story was herding in his boy- hood near to the town of Strathavon in the South country. On a clear summer day he happened to be sitting on a mossy bank, and the cattle quietly pastur- ing in front of him. To pass the time he began to cut a dial in the green sward between his feet. In the midst of this work he thought he heard first a humming in the air, and an instant after that, a whizzing between his feet. He turned his eye quickly in the direction whence the whizzing had come, and what did he behold but a fairy-arrow stuck in the very middle of the dial. It was at first red-hot, but in a short time the cold moss water quenched it. He then put it in his pocket, and when his engagement was out, he took it home with him to Gaeldom, and showed it to his father. " My dear boy," said his father, " it was thy friend who threw it, otherwise thou wouldst not have been here this day." Then his father told him the tale preceding this, and how the tailor aimed at the white wether instead of ! is neighbour, who was standing in the door. SITHICHEAN CHOIRE-CHAORACHAIN. O CHIONN iomad bliadhna bha Domhnull Posda a' giùlan nan litrichean eadar Baile-chaolais agus an Gearasdan. Bha cuid de 'n rathad a bh' aige r'a iomachd gu math uaigneach agus ùigeil, agus bha 'n t-ainm aige bhi Ian shithichean agus bhòcain eile. Air oidhche Shamhna bha Domhnull, an deidh dha 'ghnothuch fhaotainn seachad, a' pilleadh air ais do Choire-Chaorachain far an robh e 'fuireachd. Greis mhath mu'n d' rainig e 'n tigh, gu de chunnaic e roimhe ach da shithiche dheug, a' dannsadh agus a' leum a null agus a nail thar an rathaid. Cho luath 's a thug iad an aire dha 'tighinn, ghlaodh fear caol, ruadh dhiubh: " Bheir sinn leinn Domhnull Posda." Ach bha fear eile dhiubh, gille gasda, a fhreagair: " Cha tabhair sinn leinn Domhnull Posda, oir 's e Posda bochd a' bhaile againn fhein a th' ann." An sin thuit dha sealltainn suas am bruthach os a cheann, agus ciod a chunnaic e air an ailean ghorm air a' mhullach, ach buidheann mhor shithichean, ag cuibh- leadh agus a' dannsadh mar na fir-chlise. Chunnaic a' bhuidheann a bh' air an rathad mhor iad cuideachd, agus ghrad ghlaodh fear aca: " Bithidh sinn a' falbh as a so," agus ann am priobadh na sùla, bha iad air mullach a' bhruthaich leis a' bhuidheann eile. Cha d'fheith Domhnull a dh'fhaicinn cnoch na cluiche, ach chum e air a cheum, agus fhuair e dhachaidh gu tèaruinte. An deidh na h-oidhche sin cha'n fhaca e iad tuilleadh : ach bhitheadh e, air oidhchean àraidh de'n bhliadhna, ag cluinntinn monmhur am bruidhne 'san àite 'sam faca e iad roimhe. THE FAIRIES OF CORRIE CHAORACIIAIN. Many years ago Donald Post carried letters between Ballachulish and Fort-William. A part of the road he had to travel was pretty lonely and uncanny, and it had the name of being full of fairies and other bogles. On a Hallow-e'en, Donald, after getting his business over, was returning to Corrie Chaorachain where he was staying. A good while before he reached the house, what did he see before him but a dozen fairies dancing and leaping hither and thither across the road. As soon as they noticed him coming, one of them, a slender, red-haired fairy, cried: " We will take Donald Post with us." But another, a fine fellow, replied: " We will not take Donald Post with us, for he is the poor post of our own farm." Donald then happened to look up the hill above him, and what did he behold on the green plain on the summit but a large troop of fairies wheeling and dancing like the merry- dancers. The troop on the high road also noticed them, and instantly one of them cried: " Let us leave this," and in the twinkling of an eye they were on the summit of the hill with the other troop. Donald did not wait to see the end of the merry- making, but kept on his way and got home in safety. After that night he never saw the fairies; but on cer- tain evenings of the year he used to hear the murmur of their voices in the place where he had once beheld them. MAC AN TUATHANAICH AGUS NA SITHICHEAN. Bha mac tuathanaich an Raineach a thuit ann an euslaint, agus a bhitheadh a' dol do'n mhonadh, mochthrath agus trath-feasgair, feuch am faigheadh e na b' fhearr. An iiair a thàinig an samhradh, agus a chaidh an crodh chum na h-airidhe, dh' fhalbh e 'nan deidh, agus dh' fhuirich e 'nan cois gus an do phill iad dhachaidh chum an t-sratha an toiseach an fhogharaidh. Air latha ceòthar, ciùin dh'fhalbh e g'an trusadh dh' ionnsaidh na buaile-bleoghainn, ach chaidh e air iomrall 's a' cheò, agus bha e ùine mhaith 'gan sireadh mu'n d'thàinig e orra. Fhuair e iad mu dheireadh ag ionaltradh ann an coire mor, brèagh le feur gorm brighmhor suas gu ruig an sùilean. Bha 'n la ceòbanach, blàth agus feur a' brùchdadh a nios gu bras as an talamh ; agus, a thaobh gu 'n robh e sgith leis an teas, agus le siubhal a' mhonaidh, shuidh e sios air tolman uaine a ghabhail analach. Cha robh e ach goirid an sin gus an cual' e guth, a' tighinn o bhun gach bileag fheòir aig a chasan, agus ag ràdh : " Cuid dhomh-sa dheth, cuid dhomh-sa dheth." Dh' eisd e 'n sin tacain, agus a nis bha 'n guth ceudna a' tighinn o bhun gach bileag fheòir a bh' anns a' choire. Sheall e feuch am faiceadh e co uaith a thàinig na guthannan ; ach cha robh duine, beag no mor, ri fhaicinn. Dh' eisd e rithist. agus an THE RANNOCH FARMER'S SON AND THE FAIRIES. There once lived in Rannoch a farmer's son, who fell into ill health, and who used to go to the hill, morning and evening, to see if he would get better. When summer came, and the cattle were driven to the hill pasture, he followed, and remained in charge of them until they returned home to the strath in the beginning of harvest. On a calm, misty day he went away to gather them to the milking fold, but strayed in the mist, and was a good long time seeking them before he happened to come upon them. He found them at last grazing in a fine large corrie with green juicy grass up to their eyes. The day was warm, and a misty, drizzling rain falling, and the grass was springing up rapidly from the ground. As he was tired with the heat and travelling on the hill, he sat down on a green hillock to take a rest. He was not long there when he heard a voice coming from the root of every blade of grass at his feet, and saying: "Some of it to me, some of it to me!" He then listened a while, and now the same voice came from the root of every blade of grass in the corrie. He looked to see if he could find out from whom the voices came, but no man, small or tall, was visible. K 130 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. uair a chuala e a' ghàir cheudna an treas uair, thuig e gu'm b' ann o na sithichean a thàinig e; agus ghlaodh e cho àrd riu fhein: "Agus cuid dhomh-sa dheth cuideachd." Air ball sguir a' ghàir, agus an sin dh'iomain e 'n crodh chum na buaile. Bha na banaraichean 'gam feitheamh, agus ioghnadh orra gu de a ghlèidh iad cho fada. Thòisich iad air am bleoghainn; ach mu'n d'fhuair iad an leth seachad, cha robh soitheach air a' bhuaile nach robh ag cur thairis le bainne. Cha b' urrainn iad a thuigsinn ciamar a dh' fhas am bainne cho pailt ann an iiine cho goirid; mu dheireadh, thòisich iad air an t-sld a mholadh agus a radh gu 'm b' i a b' aobhar do'n phailteas. Dh' eisd mac an tuathanaich gu foidhidneach ris gach ni a chuala e, ach thubhairt e ris fein nach robh am bainne cho pailt anns na h-uile baile 's a bha air a' bhaile aca-san an latha sin, agus nach bitheadh e cho pailt an sud cuideachd, na'n do leig esan leis na sithichean, an uair a bha iad 'ga tharruing g'an ionnsaidh anns a' choire. FOLK TALES ANT) FAIRY LORE. I3I He listened again, and when he heard the same din the third time he understood that it came from the fairies, and so he cried as loud as themselves: " And some of it for me also!" Immediately the din of voices ceased, and then he drove the cattle to the fold. The milk - maids were awaiting their coming, and wondering what had kept them so long. They began to milk, but before they had gone over the half, every vessel in the fold was overflowing with milk. They could not comprehend how the milk became so abun- dant in so short a time; at length they began to praise the weather and say it was the cause of the abundance. The farmer's son listened patiently to all that he heard; but he said to himself that the milk was not so plentiful on every farm as it was on theirs that day, and that it would not be so plentiful on theirs either, had he left the fairies alone when they were drawing it to themselves in the corrie. AONGHAS MOR THOM NA H-IUBHRAICH AGUS NA SITHICHEAN. Bha Aonghas Mor 'na chiobair air baile làimh ri Tom na h-Iùbhraich an Inbhir Nis. Air feasgar ceòbanach fliuch, agus e a' tilleadh o chuartachadh a' mhonaidh, bha leis gu'n cuala e, a' tighinn a mach a creig laimh ris a' cheum air an robh e ag imeachd, guth coltach ri guth nighinn òig a bha e r'a pòsadh air an oidhche sin fèin. Sheas e agus dh'eisd e, an diiil gu'n cluinneadh e an guth ceudna rithist. Chuala e an guth ach cha'n fhaca e coltas na h-inghine, no àite an aodann na creige anns am b' urrainn di bhi am folach. A' smuainteachadh an sin gu'm b' e guth mhic-talla a chuala e, chum e air a cheum gus an deachaidh e timchioll sròn na creige. Bha tolman bòidheach, uaine roimhe, agus cho luath is a thainig e 'na shealladh, chunnaic e an dorus fosgailte agus solus a' tighinn a mach mar solus an la an soillearachd, agus chuala e an ceòl bu bhinne a thig no a thainig, agus farum dannsaidh a stigh. Dh' èalaidh e dh' ionnsaidh an doruis, stob e a bhiodag anns an ursainn, agus thug e caol- shiiil a stigh do'n t-Sithean. B' ann an sin a bha an sealladh. Fir agus mnathan sithe 'nan cròilein air meadhon an ùrlair ag cuibhleadh is a' dannsadh le mire- chuthaich. Ach cha robh mir de'n nighinn r'a fhaicinn. Sheas e far an robh e gus an d' thainig bean-shithe a mach, agus an deachaidh i dh' ionnsaidh uillt a bha ANGUS MOR OF TOMNAHURICH AND THE FAIRIES. Angi'S MÒR was a shepherd on a farm near Tomna- 'lurich, in Inverness. On a wet, misty evening, as he was returning from compassing the hill, he thought he heard, coming out of a rock beside the path on which he was travelling, a voice like that of a young maiden whom he was going to marry that very night. He stood and listened, expecting to hear the same voice again. He heard the voice, but saw no appearance of the woman, or of a place in the face of the rock, where she could be in hiding. Thinking, then, it was echo's voice he had heard, he held on his way until he went round a point of the rock. Before him was a pretty green knoll; and as soon as he came in sight of it, he beheld the door open, and issuing thence a light like the light of day in brightness, and he heard the sweetest music that has been or will be, and the sound of dancing within. He crept towards the door, thrust his dirk into the side post, and peeped into the Fairy Knoll. It was there that the sight was. Fairy men and women, in a circle in the middle of the floor, wheeling and dancing with mad energy. But not a bit of the maiden was to be seen. He stood where he was, until a fairy came forth, and went to a brook, a short distance off. When she was returning he went to meet her, and 134 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. goirid as. Agus an uair a bha i a' tilleadh chaidh e 'na coinneamh, agus sheas e anns an t-slighe roimpe. " Leig seachad mi, Aonghais Mhòir," ars ise. " Cha leig," fhreagair Aonghas, " gus an innis thu dhomh CO i am boirionnach a chuala mi ag èigheach mu'n d'thàinig mi an sealladh an t-Slthein." " Cha'n innis mi sin duit; cha'n fhaod mi," ars ise. " Mur innis, cha'n fhaigh thu seachad," ars esan. "Mur faigh ad dheòin, gheibh ad aindeoin," ars ise, agus shaighdich i seachad air, mar an dealanach. Bha aig Aonghas 'na làimh cromag le bior iaruinn anns an dara ceann dith, agus thilg e a' chromag an dèidh na mnà-sìthe agus bhuail e i am bac nan easgaid. Thuit i air an làr, agus mu'n d'fhuair i eirigh, bha i aige 'na ghàirdeanan, agus a' chromag tarsuinn roimpe. "Innis dhomh, a nis," ars esan, " cò i am boirionnach a bha ag glaodhaich anns an t-Sithean mu'n d'thàinig mise 'na shealladh." " Aonghais Mhòir," ars ise, " ma dh' innseas tusa diomhaireachd na Ban-righ againne air Drochaid an Easain Duibh seachduin o'n nochd, is leat fein do bhean agus do mhac." Chuir na briathran so ioghnadh mor air Aonghas, ach leig e as a' bhean-shithe, agus dh' fhalbh e dhach- aidh, agus phòs e an deidh dha ruigheachd. Air feasgar eile, is e a' pilleadh dhachaidh as a' mhonadh, rainig e a' chreag o'n cuala e an guth an oidhche roimhe. Sheas e aig a ceann, agus dh' eisd e car tamuill, ach cha chuala e diog. Chaidh e an sin air a aghaidh gus an d'thàinig e an sealladh an t-Sithein. Dh' amhairc e rathad an doruis, agus chunnaic e solus a' dealradh a mach troimhe, ach cha chuala e fuaim ciùil no dannsaidh a stigh. Uime sin thionndaidh e air falbh, ach mu'n deachaidh e ro fhada air a shlighe, chunnaic e a' bhean-shithe a' tilleadh FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. I35 Stood in the path before her. '* Let me pass, Angus Mòr," said she. "No," replied Angus, "until thou tell me who the woman was whom I heard calling before I came in sight of the Fairy Knoll?" " I'll not tell thee that; I may not," said she. " If thou do not, thou shalt not get leave to pass," said he. " If not with thy good will, I will in spite of thee," said she; and she shot past him like lightning. Angus held in his hand a crook with an iron spike in one end of it, and he threw the crook after the fairy, and struck her in the houghs. She fell to the ground, and before she had time to get up, he had hold of her between his arms, and the crook laid across her breast. " Tell me now," said he, " what woman was calling in the Fairy Knoll before I came in sight of it? " " Angus Mòr," said she, " if thou canst tell the secret of our Queen on the Bridge of Easan Dubh a week from to-night, thy wife and son will be thine." Angus wondered greatly at these words, but he allowed the fairy to go, and he went home, and married after his arrival. Another evening, as he was returning from the hill, he reached the rock from which he last heard the voice. He stood still at the end of it, and listened for a while, but not a syllable did he hear. He then went forward, until he came in sight of the Fairy Knoll. On looking the way of the door, he beheld a light shining inside, but he heard not a sound of music or dancing, so he turned away; but before he had gone far on his way, he saw the fairy returning from the brook, and in passing she called to him as she had done the first night: "Angus Mòr, thy wife and son are thine, if 136 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. o'n allt, agus anns an dol seachad ghlaodh i ris mar air a' cheud oidhche: '* Aonghais Mhòir, is leat fèin do bhean agus do mhac, ma dh' innseas tu diomhaireachd na Ban-righ againne air Drochaid an Easain Duibh air feasgar Di-haoine so a' tighinn." Chuir an rabhadh a fhuair e mar so an dara h-uair cail-eiginn de dh' iomagain air Aonghas, gu sònraichte a chionn nach robh fios aige ciod a dh' fhaodadh tighinn as. Ràinig e an tigh, agus choinnich a bhean e anns an dorus. Thug i fa-near gu'n robh ni-eigin ag cur dragha air a inntinn, agus le sin dh'fheòraich i dheth an t-aobhar. Dh' innis e dhi gach ni a chunnaic agus a chuala e aig an t-Sithean. " Aonghais, a ghaoil nam fear," ars a bhean, '* na cuireadh ni dheth sin iomagain ort. Fhuair thu mise mu'n do ruith a' bhliadhna mach, agus le sin na cuireadh mise coram tuilleadh ort." " A bhean, cha'n 'eil mi 'gad thuigsinn," ars Aonghas. An sin thubhairt i : " Mu thuaiream bliadhna roimhe so thàinig laigse orm, agus mi a' dol seachad air an t-Sithean. Shuidh mi SÌOS, agus an ùine ghoirid thuit mi am chadal. An uair a dhùisg mi, bha mi anns an aon àite bu bhrèagha a chunnaic mi riamh agus air mo chuartachadh le fir agus le mnathan ag cur ri dannsadh. Dh' fheuch mi ri dol a mach, ach ge b' e taobh a ghabhainn, bhitheadh na sithichean — oir b' iad a bh' ann — romham. Mu dheireadh thubhairt fear aca a bha a reir coltais 'na cheannard air each: * Ainnir dhonn nam mloij.shuil, gheibh thu mach, ma gheallas tu gu'm bi thu ad mhnaoi agam-sa, mur faigh thu do roghainn gràidh r'a phòsadh mu 'n tig bliadhna o'n nochd.' Bha mi cho toileach faotainn as is gu'n d'thug mi dha mo ghealladh. Ach, Aonghais, bu ttisa mo roghainn a » FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 1 37 thou canst tell the secret of our Queen on the Bridge of Easan Dubh on the evening of next Friday." The warning, which he thus got the second time, caused Angus some anxiety, especially as he knew not what might be the outcome. He reached the house, and his wife met him at the door. She noticed that something was troubling his mind, so she asked him the cause, and he told h'^r everything he had seen and heard at the Fairy Knoll. " Angus, dearest of men," said his wife, " let none of these things make thee anxious. We have married before the year has run out, so do not let me cause thee anxiety any longer." " Wife, I do not understand thee," said Angus. Then she said: "About a year ago a faintness came over me as I was passing the Fairy Knoll. I sat down on the Knoll, and, in a short time, fell asleep. When I awoke I was in the finest place I ever beheld, and surrounded by men and women busy dancing. I tried to go out, but whichever way 1 took, the fairies — for it was they— would be before me. At last one of them, who seemed to be chief over the rest, said: ' Brown-haired maiden of the laughing eyes, thou wilt get out if thou promise to be my wife, unless thou get thy chosen love in marriage before the end of the year from this night.' I was so eager to get away that I gave him my promise. But, Angus, thou wert my choice of the men of the Uni- verse; and since I have got thee before the time ran out, I am free from the promise I gave him." On Friday evening Angus Mòr was once more re- turning from the hill, and when he arrived at the Bridge of Easan Dubh, he remembered it was there he 138 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. dh'fhir an domhain ; agus o'n fhuair mi thu mu'n do ruith an ùine mach, tha mi nis saor o'n ghealladh a thug mi dha." Air feasgar Di-haoine bha Aonghas Mòr a' tilleadh as a' mhonadh aon uair eile, agus an uair a ràinig e Drochaid an Easain Duibh, chuimhnich e gu'm b' ana an sin a bha aige ri diomhaireachd Ban-righ nan Sithichean innseadh. Sheas e car tacain air mullach na Drochaide, ach cha robh e fada an sin gus an cuala e an aon ghuth bu bhinne a dh' èisd e riamh ris anns an allt fuidhe. Thug e caol-shùil thar barran na Drochaide, agus cò a chunnaic e ag glanadh agus a' fiicadh aodaich air cloich anns an uisge ach a' Bhan- righ, agus b'e so an t-òran a bha i a' seinn : — Seist. Thoirionn O Ro Thuraibh Thorò, Thoirionn O is na Thiiraibh Othò, Thoirionn O Ro Thiiraibh Thorò. I. S aithne dhomh 'Bheinn Mhor am Muile. 'S aithne dhomh mullach Sguirr Eige, 'S aithne dhomh 'n cat a bha 'n Ulbha, Agus 'earball ris an teinc, II. Tha ceòl an talla mo ghràidh, 'S tha or an talamh MhicAidh ; Ach tha òran an Inbhir Nis Air nach fhaighear fios gu bràth. An uair a chrlochnaich i an t-òran, ghlaodh Aonghas Mor o mhullach na Drochaide: " Ge b' oil leat, a FOLK TALES AND FAIRV LORE. 1 39 was to tell the secret of the Queen of the Fairies. He stood a while on the top of the Bridge, but he was not long there when he heard in the brook under him the very sweetest voice he ever listened to. He gave a peep over the parapet of the Bridge, and whom did he see cleaning and rubbing clothes on a stone in the water, but the Queen, and this was the song she was singing:— Chorus. Horin O Ro Hooriv Horo, Horin O is na Hooriv oho, Horin O R6 Hooriv Horo. I. 1 know Ben More in Mull, I know the top of Scuir Kigg, I know the cat that was in Ulv. With its tail turned to tlie fire. There is music in the hall of my dear, There is gold in the land of Mackay; But there is a song in Inverness Which shall never be known. When she ended the song, Big Angus cried from the top of the Bridge: *' In spite of thee, woman, thou art wrong. I have now every word of thy song, and thy secret with it." At these words the Queen started, and uttered a scream. She then lifted up her head, I40 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. bhean, tha thu cearr. Tha h-uile facal ad òran agam- sa nis, agus do dhiomhaireachd maille ris.'* Chlisg a' Bhan-righ leis na briathraibh so, agus thug i sgreuch eagail aiste. Thog i an sin suas a ceann, agus an uair a chunnaic i Aonghas air an Drochaid, thubhairt i: " Rinn thu an gnothach orm. Is leat fein do bhean agus do mhac a nis." Agus an dèidh dhi so a ràdh, chaidh i as an t-sealladh, agus cha'n fhaca e tuilleadh i. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 14I and when she beheld Angus on the Bridge, she said: " Thou hast foiled me. Thy wife and son are now thine own." After saying this she went out of sight, and he saw her no more. TAILLEAR RUADH RAINEACH AGUS AN SITHBHREACH. Bha 'n Tàillear Ruadh a chòmhnuidh an Raineach. Coltach ris a' chòrr d'a sheòrsa, bhiodh e a' dol o thigh gu tigh a dheanamh aodaich de 'n chlò a bhitheadh mnathan grunndail a' deanamh d* am fir agus d'am mic anns na h-àmaibh a chaidh seachad. Uair-eigin, is e a' tarruing dlùth do thigh far an robh obair beagan laithean aige ri dheanamh, thàinig am feasgar air, agus chunnaic e, ann an doillearachd an anmoich, aon cohach ri leanabh fior bheag, a' ruith air thoiseach air, agus ag glèidheadh as an t-sealladh air chill gach pris agus gach cnuic ri taobh an rathaid. Chruadhaich e a cheum an diiil gu'm beireadh e air an duineachan iongantach a bha roimhe, ach an aite a bhi a' buidhinn, b' ann a bha e ag call leis gach ceum a bheireadh e. Cho luath 's a thug e so fa-near, thòisich e air ruith le a uile neart; ach a dh' aindeoin a bhoicinn cha b' urrainn e an t-astar eatorra a ghiorrachadh. Mu dheireadh chaill e a fhoidhidinn cho buileach is gu'n do thilg e an siosar mor air an duineachan sgiobalta a bha an toiseach air, agus bhuail e anns na h-easgaidean e. Thuit an sithbhreach (oir b' e sin a bha ann) air a aghaidh, agus mu'n d'fhuair e eirigh bha e an gàirdeanaibh an Tàilleir, agus an siosar tarsuinn air a bhroilleach. " Innis domh-sa c'àite am bheil thu a' dol, mo ghille THE RED-HAIRED TAILOR OF RANNOCH AND THE FAIRY. The red-haired tailor lived in Rannoch. Like the rest of his kind, he went from house to house to make clothes of the cloth which thrifty wives manufactured for their husbands and sons in by-gone times. Once as he was approaching a house, where he had a few days' work to do, evening came on, and he saw, in the dimness of the twilight, one like a very little child, running before him and keeping out of sight behind every bush and every hillock at the road-side. The tailor hardened his step, hoping to overtake the curious manikin before him, but instead of gaining, he was losing ground at every step he took. As soon as he noticed this, he began to run with all his might; but in spite of his skin, he could not shorten the distance between them. At length he lost patience so completely that he threw his big shears at the nimble little man ahead, and struck him with them in the knee joints. The fairy, for such he was, fell on his face, and before he had time to rise up, was in the tailor's arms, and the shears on his breast. " Tell me where thou art going, my good lad," said the tailor. " I am on my way from the Big Fairy Knoll, to the house ahead of thee, to get a while of the breast of the wife," replied the little imp. This was the very house to 144 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. mhaith,'' ars an Tàillear. " Tha mi air mo rathad o'n t-Sithean Mhor gus an tigh air thoiseach ort, a dh' fhaotainn tacain de bhainne-ciche bean-an-tighe," fhreagair an gàrlaoch crìon. B'e so a' cheart tigh gus an robh an Tàillear a' dol. " Agus gu de nl thu ri leanabh na mnatha fein," ars e an sin. "U! cuiridh mi mach e do mo mhuinntir air uinneig-chCiil an tighe agus bheir iad-san leò e do'n àite againne," fhreagair am fear eile. " Agus an cuir iad dachaidh e an uair a gheibh thusa do leòir de bhainne-clche a mhathar?" "U! cha chuir, cha chuir tuilleadh." " NÌ sin an gnothuch," ars an Tàillear, agus leig e as a phriosanach. Cho luath is a fhuair e comas a choise, shin e as dh' ionnsaidh an tighe, agus bha e stigli mu'n d' ràinig an Taillear. Bha an tigh aige dha fein, oir bha fear- an-tighe agus a bhean anns a' bhàthaich a' leigeil a' chruidh, agus gun duine stigh ach an leanabh anns a' chreathall. Thog e an leanabh 'na ghàirdeanaibh, agus shin e mach e air an uinneig-chùil, mar shaoil e, do na sithbhrich eile. Ach bha an Taillear rompa, agus ghabh e gu sàmhach an leanabh 'na ghairdeanaibh, agus dh'fhalbh e leis gu tigh peathar dha a bha goirid as, agus dh' fhàg e air a cùram e. An uair a thill e, fhuair e a' bhean air thoiseach air, agus an tàcharan anns a' chreathall, an impis sgainidh ag caoineadh. Thog a' bhean e, thug i dha deoch, agus an sin chuir i air ais e anns a' chreathall. Cha robh e fada an sin an uair a thòisich e air glaodhaich is air caoineadh a ris. Thog i e, agus thug i dha deoch eile. Ach a reir coltais cha'n fhoghnadh ni leis ach a bhi air a fhagail an còmhnuidh air a' bhroilleach. Chaidh a' chluich so air a h-aghaidh fad beagan làithean eile. Ach air do fhoidhidinn an Tailleir ruith a mach, FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 145 which the tailor was going. " And what wilt thou do with the woman's own child?" said he then. "Oh, I will put him out at the back window to my people, and they will take him with them to our place," answered the other. "And will they send him home when thou hast had enough of his mother's breast?" "Oh, no; never!" "That will do," said the tailor, and he let his prisoner go. As soon as he got his liberty, he stretched away to the house, and was within before the tailor arrived. He had the house to himself, for the goodman and his wife were in the byre milking the cows, and no one within but the child in the cradle. He lifted the child in his arms, and handed it out at the back window to the other fairies, as he thought; but the tailor was before them, and took the child quietly in his arms, and then went away with it to the house of his sister, who lived a short distance off, and left it in her charge. When he returned he found the wife before him, and the changeling in the cradle, ready to burst with crying. The wife took him up, and gave him a drink, and then put him back in the cradle again. He was not long there till he began to scream and cry once more. She took him up, and gave him another drink. But to all appearance nothing would please him but to be left always on the breast. This game went on for a few days more. But when the patience of the tailor ran out, he sprang at last from the work-table, took in a creelful of peats, and put a big fire on the hearth. When the fire was in the heat of its burning, he sprang over to the cradle, took with him the changeling, and before any one in the house could interpose, he threw L 146 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. leum e mu dheireadh bhàrr a bhùird-obair, thug e stigh Ian clèibh de mhòine, agus chuir e teine mòr air an teallach. An uair a bha an teine an teas a ghabhalach, leum e null do'n chreathall, thog e leis an tàcharan, agus mu'm b' urrainn duine a bha stigh dol 'san eadraiginn, thilg e an teis-meadhon na lasrach e. Ach leum an slaightear crlon a mach troimh an luidhear, agus o mhullach an tighe ghlaodh c gu caithreamach ris a' mhnaoi : " Fhiiair mi sud de shijgh do chlèibh, ge b' oil leat, " agus thug e an rathad air. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 147 him in the very middle of the flames. But the little knave leaped out through the chimney, and from the house-top cried in triumph to the wife: " I have got so much of the sap of thy breast in spite of thee," and he departed. TACHARAN CEANN AN T-SAILEIN. Bha bean a chòmhnuidh an Ceann an t-Sàilein aig an robh leanabh-mic air nach robh aon chuid fas no snuadh mar air leanabaibh eile d' a aois. O mhaduinn gu feasgar cha rachadh stad mionaide air, ach ag caoineadh; agus dh' itheadh e fada tuilleadh bidh na bha nàdurra d'a leithid. Is e am fogharadh a bha ann, agus cha robh duine air a' bhaile a b' urrainn corran a tharruing nach robh mach air an achadh bhuana ach màthair an leinibh. Bhitheadh ise cuideachd a mach, mur bhiodh eagal gu'n sgàineadh an sgreuchan mosach a chridhe ag caoineadh na'm fàgadh i e air cùram neach air bith eile. Thuit 'san am gu 'n robh taillear a' deanamh aodaich anns an tigh. Bha an taillear 'na dhuine geur, furachail agus cha robh e ach ro ghoirid a stigh gus an do chuir e droch umhail air a' ghille a bha anns a' chreathall. " Faodaidh tusa," ars e ris a' mhnaoi, " dol thun na buana, agus gabhaidh mise ciiram de 'n phàisd." Dh'fhaibh a' bhean. Ach, mu'n gann a thug i a casan thar na stairsnich, thòisich an cranndas a dh'fhàg i 'na deidh air sgreadail agus air caoineadh gu cruaidh agus gu goirt. Dh' eisd an taillear ris tacain maith, agus a shiiil air, gus an robh e cinnteach nach robh ann ach tàcharan. Chaill e nis a fhoidhidinn ris, agus ghlaodh e le guth geur, crosda: "Stad, 'ille, de 'n THE KINTALEN CHANGELING. There was living in Kintalen a woman who had a male-child with neither the growth nor the bloom of other children of his age. From morning to evening he would not cease one minute from crying, and he would eat far more food than was natural for the like of him. It was harvest, and there was not a person on the farm who could draw a sickle but was out on the reaping field, except the mother of the child. She, too, would have been out were it not for fear that the nasty screaming thing would break his heart crying, if she should leave him in charge of any other person. It happened that there was at the time a tailor in the house, making clothes. The tailor was a shrewd, ob- servant man, and he was but a short time within until he became suspicious of the lad in the cradle. " You," said he to the woman, " may go to the reaping, and I will take care of the child." The woman went away. But she had barely taken her feet over the threshold when the withered object she had left behind began shrieking and crying loudly and sorely. The tailor listened to him a good while, keeping his eye on him, till he was sure that he was nothing but a changeling. He now lost patience with him, and cried in a sharp, angry voice: "Stop that music, lad, or I'll put thee on the fire." The crying ceased for a while, but afterwards it began a second I50 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. cheòl sin; air-neo cuiridh mi air an teine thu." Sguir an caoineadh tacain ach an dèidh sin thòisich e an dara h-uair. " An ann fhathast, a phiobaire an aon phuirt? " ars an tàiUear. " Cluinneam an ceòl sin agad tuilleadh agus marbhaidh mi thu leis a' bhiodaig." An uair a chunnaic an sithiche a' ghruaim a bha air an tàillear, agus a' bhiodag 'na làimh, ghabh e a leithid de eagal is gu'n d'fhuirich e ùine mhath sàmhach. !)ha an tàillear 'na dhuine sunndach; agus a chur dheth .sn fhadail, thòisich e air port a channtaireachd. Am nieadhon a' chiùii, thog an siochaire grannda burrall àrd; ach ma thog, cha d' fhuair e dol air aghaidh le a cheileir ach glè ghoirid. Leum an tàillear bhàrr a bhùird-obair, chaidh e le a bhiodaig 'na làimh a null dh' ionnsaidh na creithle, agus thubhairt e ris an i-sithiche: " Tha gu leòir againn de 'n cheòl ud. Glac a' phìob-mhòr cheart agus thoir dhuinn aon phort math oirre, air-neo cuiridh mi a' bhiodag annad." Dh' eirich an sithiche suas 'na shuidhe anns a' rhreathall, rug e air a' phlob a bha aige an àite-eigin m' a thimchioll, agus chuir e suas an aon cheòl bu bhinne a chuala an tàillear riamh. Chuala na buanaichean e air an achadh, agus air ball leig iad a sios an corrain, agus sheas iad ag èisdeachd ris a' cheòl shìthe. Mu dheireadh dh' fhag iad an t-achadh, agus ruith iad an rathad a thainig an ceòl. Ach mu'n d' ràinig iad an tigh, sguir am port; agus cha robh fhios aca cò a chluich e, no cia as a thainig e. An uair a phill na buanaichean dachaidh anns an fheasgar, agus a fhuair an tàillear bean-an-tighe leatha fhèin, dh' innis e dhi gach ni a thachair am feadh a bha i aig a' bhuain, agus nach robh anns an leanabh aice ach tàcharan. Dh'iarr e oirre an sin dol leis gu taobh Aird-Sheile de 'n chamus, agus a thilgeil a mach air an Loch. Rinn i mar dh'iarradh oirre, agus cho luath FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. I5I time. " Art thou at it again, piper of the one tune? " said the tailor. " Let me hear that music any more from thee, and I will kill thee with the dirk." When the fairy beheld the frown on the tailor's countenance and the dirk in his hand, he took such a fright that he kept quiet a good while. The tailor was a cheerful man, and to keep from wearying he began to hum a tune. In the middle of the music the ugly elf raised a loud howl. But, if he did, he was not allowed to go on with his warble but a very short time. The tailor leaped off his work-table, went, dirk in hand, over to the cradle, and said to the fairy: " We have enough of that music, take the right great bagpipes and give us one good tune on them, or else I'll put the dirk in thee." The fairy sat up in the cradle, took the pipes which he had somewhere about him, and struck up the sweetest music the tailor had ever heard. The reapers heard it on the field, and instantly dropped their sickles and stood listening to the fairy music. At length they left the field, and ran in the direction whence the music came. But before they reached the house the tune had ceased; and they knew not who played it or whence it came. When the reapers returned home in the evening, and the tailor got the mistress of the house alone, he told her everything that happened while she was at the reaping, and that her child was nothing but a change- ling. He then told her to go with him to the Ardsheal side of the bay, and to throw him out in the Loch. She did as was told her, and as soon as the nasty little elf touched the water he became a big grey-haired old man, and swam to the other side of the bay. When he got his foot on dry land, he cried to her that if he 152 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. is a bhean an sìochaìre crìon, mosach do'n uisge, thionndaidh e 'na sheann duine mòr, Hath. Shnàmli e an sin gu taobh eile a' chamuis. An uair a fhuair e a chas air tir, ghlaodh e rithe, na'n robh fliios aige- san roimh làimh ciod a bha i a' dol a dheanamh, gu'n tugadh esan oirre nach smaointicheadh i air a leithid a dheanamh gu brath tuilleadh. Thill ise dhachaidh, agus fhuair i a leanabh fein slàn, fallain aig an dorus roimpe. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 1 53 had known beforehand what she was going to do he would have made her never think of doing such a thing again. She returned home and found her own child at the door before her, hale and sound. SITHICHE CHOIRE OSBAINN AGUS AN TAILLEAR. Bha bean dobair an Coire Osbainn aig an robh leanabh a dh' fhàs ro chrosda agus duilich a bhanaltrachadh. Cha robh fios aice fèin no aig a fear ciod a bha air an leanabh, no ciod a dheanadh lad ris, gus an d'thàinig an Tàillear a dheanamh aodaich de dh* eige chlòtha air ùr-thighinn as a' mhuileann luaidh. Air an ath latha an dèidh dha tighinn, chaidh bean a' chlobair do'n àite-mhòine, agus dh' fhàg i an leanabh air a churam gus an tilleadh i. Goirid an dèidh dhi falbh, gu de a chuala an Tàillear air a chijlaibh ach ceòl binn na pioba moire. Sheall e an rathad as an d'thàinig an ceòl, agus CO a chunnaic e 'na shuidhe anns an leabadh, ach seann duine beag, Hath, le feadan connlaich 'na bheul, agus e ag cur ri port a chluich ris am bheil na rainn a leanas air an seinn : Uist Oireannainn ! Uist Oireannainn I Uist Oireannainn! Uist O thi ! 'S fhada tha a' chaile gun tighinn 'S gu'm faigheadh an Cannan cioch. Uist Oireannainn, etc. Chum e air a' phort so a sheinn gus an cuala e am boirionnach a' tighinn. An sin sguir an ceòi, agtis bha e 'na leanabh beag a rithist. Cha d'innis an Tàillear do'n mhnaoi ni de na THE FAIRY OF CORRIE OSBEN AND THE TAILOR. In Corrie Osben lived a shepherd's wife, whose child grew very peevish and difficult to nurse. Neither she nor her husband knew what was the matter with the child, or what was to be done with him, until the tailor came to make clothes of a web of home-made cloth newly come from the walking-mill. Next day after his arrival, the shepherd's wife went to the peat-moss, and left the child under his care till she should return. Shortly after she went away, what did the tailor hear behind him but the sweet music of the bag-pipes. He looked the way whence the music came, and whom did he see sitting in the bed but a little old grey-headed man with a pipe of straw in his mouth, busy playing a tune, to which the following verses are sung: — Hush ! Oranan, Plush ! Oranan, Hush! Oranan, Hush! Oheè! Long is the lassie of coming To give the Can nan a wee. Hush! Oranan, etc. He kept playing this tune until he heard the woman coming; then the music ceased, and he was again a little child. The tailor told the woman nothing of what he had 156 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. chunnaic is a chuala e am fad is a bha i air falbh. Air an ath latha an deidh dhi dol do'n àite-mhòine, ghabh e ubh, thug e am biadh as, lion e am plaosg le uisge, agus chuir e taobh an teine e. Bha ioghnadh cho mòr air a' bhodachan de'n ni a chunnaic e is gu'n do thionndaidh e nail is gu'n d'thubhairt e: " Gu dè a tha thu a' dol a dheanamh le sin, a Thàilleir? " " Tha mi a' dol a theasachadh uisge a bhogadh bracha," ars an Tàillear. " Ma-tà tha mi còrr agus ceud bliadhna dh' aois, agus gu so cha'n fhaca mi ballan- uibhe a' dol a theasachadh uisge a bhogadh bracha," ars an duine beag, is e a' tionndadh a null agus a' tòiseachadh a rithist air cluich air an fheadan chonnlaich. Chum e ag cluich puirt an la roimhe gus an cuala e a' bhean a' tighinn, agus an sin bha e aon uair eile 'na leanabh beag. Air an treas la dh' innis an Taillear do 'n mhnaoi ciod air an robh e 'na fhianuis, agus a bharail nach robh anns an leanabh ach sithiche. " Agus ciod a ni mise ris?" dh' fheòraich a' bhean. " Thoir leat e," ars an Taillear, " gus an t-eas 's a' choimhears- nachd, agus tilg a sios e thar na bruaich do 'n uisge." Rinn a' bhean mar dh' iarradh oirre. Ach cha bu luaithe a bhean an leanabh do'n uisge na dh' fhàs e 'na dhuineachan beag, Hath. Dh' eirich e an sin air a chasan ann an corruich mhoir, agus streap e suas ri taobh cas an easa, a' bagradh dioghaltais air a' mhnaoi, na'm beireadh e oirre. Ach chuir ise *sna buinn cho luath is a b' urrainn i, agus cha d' amhairc i 'na deidh gus an do ràinig i an tigh, far an d'fhuair i a leanabh fein air a fhàgail aig an dorus roimpe. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. I57 seen and heard while she was absent. Next day. wh(.'n she went a second time to the peat-moss, he took an egg, emptied the shell of its contents, filled it with water, and placed it near the fire. The little old mannie's curiosity was so much excited by what he saw that he turned round and said: "What are you going to do with that, tailor?" " I am going to heat water to steep malt in," said the tailor. " Well, I am more than a hundred years old, and never till now did I see an eggshell used to heat water for steeping malt in," said the little man, as he turned away and began again to play on his straw-pipe. He kept playing the tune of the day before until he heard the woman coming, and then he once more became a little child. On the third day, the tailor told the woman what he had witnessed, and his opinion that the child was nothing but a fairy. "And what am I to do with him? " asked the woman. " Take him," said the tailor, " to the neighouring ravine, and throw him over the bank into the water below." The woman did as she was told, but no sooner had the child touched the water than he became a little grey manikin. He then rose to his feet in a great rage, and scrambled up the steep side of the ravine, threatening the woman with vengeance if he overtook her. But she took to her heels as fast as she could, and never looked behind her until she arrived at the house, where she found her own child laid at the door before her. [AN NIGHEAxN A DH' FHALMHAICH CISTE-MHINE DO-THRAOGHADH NAN SITHICHEAN.] Chaidh nighean òg uair-eigin roimhe so a shaodachadh cruidh a h-athar do'n mhonadh. Bha Sithean roimpe anns an t-slighe a ghabh i, agus an dèidh dhi tighinn 'na shealladh, thachair oirre buidheann shlthichean le aon na b' àirde na an còrr air an ceann. Rug am fear so oirre, agus le cuideachadh chàich thug e leis i do'n t-Sithean. Cho luath is a fhuair e stigh i, chuir e mar cheangal oirre na bha de mhin anns a' chiste-mhine a dheasach- adh 'na aran mu'm faigheadh i a duais, agus cead falbh dhachaidh. Cha robh a' chiste ach beag agus le sin shaoil an nighean bhochd nach bitheadh i ach goirid 'ga falmhachadh. Ach anns an dòchas so bha i gu mòr air a mealladh. Oir ged a thòisich i air deasachadh, agus a chum i aige le a h-uile neart la an dèidh là, bha a h-obair a reir coltais an diomhain. Mar dh' fhalamhaicheadh ise a' chiste, lionadh a' chiste ris. Chunnaic i mu dheireadh nach tigeadh crioch air a h-obair, agus uime sin, air a daorsa, am feasd. Lion an smuaint so i le mulad cho mòr is gu'n do bhrist i mach ann an caoineadh. Bha seann bhean anns an t-Slthean a thugadh air falbh 'na h-oige leis na sithichibh, agus a bha cho fada ann agus gu'n do chaill i dòchas air faotainn as. Chunnaic a' bhean so staid na h-inghine, agus an uair THE GIRL WHO EMPTIED THE INEXHAUST- IBLE MEAL CHEST OF THE FAIRIES. On'ck upon a time a young maiden went to drive her father's cattle to the hill. A Fairy Knoll lay before her in the path she took; and after she came in sight of it, she n>et a band of fairies, with one taller than the rest at their head. This one seized her, and with the help of the others, took her away with him to the Fairy Knoll. As soon as he had got her within the Knoll, he put her under an obligation to bake into bread all the meal in the meal-chest, before she would receive her wages and permission to go home. The chest was but small, and so the poor maiden imagined that she would not take a long time in empty- ing it. But in this she was greatly deceived. For though she began to bake, and kept at it with all her strength day after day, her labour was to all appear- ance in vain. As she would empty the chest it would fill again. At length she saw that her task, and, there- fore, her captivity, would never come to an end. This thought so grieved her that she burst out a-crying. In the Fairy Knoll was an old woman who had been carried off by the fairies in her youth, and who had been so long there that she had lost all hope of ever getting out. This woman beheld the plight of the l6o FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. a chuimhnich i air a truaighe fein, an uair a bha i an toiseach anns a' cheart chas, ghabh i truas mòr dhith, agus dh' innis i dhi ciamar a dh' fhalmhaicheadh i a' chiste. *' Gach uair a tha thusa a' sgur a dheasachadh, tha thu a' deanamh arain de'n fhallaid mu dheireadh," ars ise. " Ach an deidh so cuir tliusa an fhallaid air a h-ais anns a' chiste, agus chi thu gu'n teirig na tha innte de mhin ann an iiine ghoirid." Rinn an nighean mar sheòl an t-seann bhean i, agus thainig crioch air a' mhin mar thubhairt i. An uair a chunnaic an nighean a' chiste falamh, chaidh i le gàirdeachas far an robh ceannard nan sithichean, agus dh' iarr i air a leigeil air falbh, a chionn gu'n do chriochnaich i an obair a fhuair i r'a deanamh. Ach cha do chreid e i gus an do sheall e anns a' chiste agus am faca e gu'n robh i falamh. An sin thug e a duais do'n nighean, agus leig e cead a coise dhi. Agus mar bha i a' dol a mach an dorus, thubhairt e: " Mo bheannachd ort-sa, ach mo mhallachd air do bheul ionnsachaidh." FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. l6l maiden, and on calling to mind her own misery when she was first in the same strait, she took great pity upon her, and told her how she would empty the chest. " Every time you cease baking, you are making bread of the remaining sprinkling of meal," she said. " But, after this, do you put the sprinkling of meal back into the chest, and you will see that it will be emptied of all the meal it contains in a short time." The maiden did as the old woman directed her, and the meal came to an end, as she had said. When the girl saw the chest empty, she went joyfully to the chief of the fairies, and asked him to let her go away, because she had finished the task laid upon her. But he did not believe her, till he looked into the meal-chest, and saw that it was empty. Then he gave the maiden her wages and leave to depart. And as she was going out, he said: "My blessing on thee, but my curse on thy teaching mouth." M [AN DA CHOIMHEARSNACH AGUS AN UISGE-BEATHA CALLUINNE.] Chaidh da choimhearsnach a dh' iarraidh uisge-beatha na Calluinne do thigh-òsda a bha goirid as. An dèìdh dhoibh an t-uisge-beatha fhaotainn, phill iad leis ann am pigeachaibh air an dromanaibh, agus cuid deth, gun teagamh, fo an criosaibh. Air an rathad chunnaic iad solus dealrach rompa, agus goirid an dèidh sin, chuala iad ceòl binn agus iolach ghàirdeachais mhòir a' tighinn o'n àite 'san robh iad a' faicinn an t-soluis. Bha fios aca gu'n robh Sithean 'san àite sin; agus an uair a rainig iad e, bha an dorus fosgailte, agus na sithichean ag cur ri dannsadh. Shàth an dara fear a bhiodag an taobh an doruis, agus sheas e fèin agus a' cheud fhear air taobh a mach na biodaige. Ach ma sheas, cha d' fhuirich aon diubh fada ann. Thog an ceòl a inntinn cho mor is gu'n do leum e stigh, ag glaodhaich " suas e," agus gu'n do thòisich e leis a' phige air a dhruim air dannsadh leis na sithichibh. An dèidh dha a bhi greis air an ùrlar, ghlaodh a chompanach a bha mach ris tighinn, air-neo nach bitheadh iad dhachaidh an am air-son na Calluinne. "Thud! tha gu leòir a dh'uine againn," fhreagair e. '* Cha do dhanns mi aon ruithil fhathast." An sin thàinig cuid de na sithichibh dh' ionnsaidh an doruis, agus dh' fheuch iad iompaidh a chur air an fhear, a bha mach, dol a stigh le a chompanach ; ach dh'fhan e far an robh e. An THE TWO NEIGHBOURS AND THEIR HOGMANAY WHISKY. Two neighbours went for their Hogmanay whisky to an inn, which was not far off. After they had got the whisky, they returned with it in jars on their backs, and some of it, no doubt, under their belts. On the way they saw a brilHant light before them, and shortly after that they heard sweet music and a shout of great rejoicing coming from the place where they saw the light. They knew that a Fairy Knoll was there; and when they reached it, the door was open, and the fairies plying the dance. One of the men thrust his dirk into the side post of the door, and he and his companion stood on the out- ward side of the dirk. But if they did, one of them did not remain there long. The music so excited him that he sprang into the Knoll, shouting, " Up with it," and he began, with the jar on his back, to dance with the fairies. After he was a while on the floor, his companion outside called to him to come, otherwise they would not be home in time for Hogmanay. "Tuts! we have plenty of time," said he; "I have not yet danced one reel." Then some of the fairies came to the door and tried to persuade the man outside to enter with his companion; but he remained where he was. After a good while, he again 164 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. ceann ùine maithe, ghlaodh e rithis r'a chompanach, a bha stigh, teachd a mach agus falbh dhachaidh leis. Ach ma ghlaodh, b'ann an diomhain. Cha d'fhuair e ach leithid eile na ceud fhreagairt. Chunnaic e nis nach robh math dha a bhi a' feitheamh na b'fhaide. Uime sin tharraing e a bhiodag a taobh an doruis, dhruid an Sithean, agus dh'fhalbh e dhachaidh. An uair a ràinig e an tigh, bha gach duine a' feòraich c'àite an d'fhàg e a chompanach. Dh'innis e dhoibh gach ni a thachair, agus mar dh'fhàg e a chompanach a' dannsadh anns an t-Sithean. Ach cha robh aon aca a thug creideas d'a sgeul. An aite sin is ann a thubhairt iad gu'n do mharbh e a choimhearsnach agus gu'n d'rinn e suas an sgeul a dh'innis e a thionndadh an amharuis dheth fhein. B' ann an diomhain a bhoidich e gu'n robh e neo-chiontach. Chuir iad an làimh e, agus thug iad a mach binn bàis 'na aghaidh. Ghuidh e an sin orra dàil là agus bliadhna a thoirt da chum e fein a ghlanadh o 'n amharus fo an robh e. Fhuair e sin. An uair a thàinig an ath Challuinn mu'n cuairt, chaidh e rathad an t-Sithein, anns an d'fhàg e a choimhearsnach. Bha an Sithean fosgailte, agus a choimhearsnach ag cur ri dannsadh leis na sithichibh, mar dh'fhàg se e. Shàth e a' bhiodag ann an ursainn an doruis, agus ghlaodh e r 'a chompanach, a bha a' dannsadh, is am pige fhathast air a dhruim, gu'n robh an t-àm dha nis tighinn a mach. " Ciod a tha thu ag ràdh ? Cha do chriochnaich mi a' cheud ruithil fhathast." " Am bheil fhios agad cia fhad a tha thu air an ijrlar?" " Cha'n 'eil os ceann da no tri de mhionaidibh." "Tha thu an so la agus bliadhna. Tha do chàirdean an dùil gu'm bheil thu marbh, agus ri mise a chur gu bàs am màireach mur toir mi dhach- FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 165 called to his companion who was within to come out, and go home with him. But if he called, it was in vain. He received only another answer similar to the first. He now saw that he had better not stay any longer. So he drew his dirk out of the door-post, the Fairy Knoll closed, and he went away home. When he arrived at the house, every one asked him where he had left his companion. He told them every- thing that had happened, and how he had left his com- panion dancing in the Fairy Knoll. But there was not one of them that credited the story. Instead of that they maintained that he had killed his neighbour, and that he had invented the story he told to turn away suspicion from himself. In vain did he protest his innocence. They put him in custody and pronounced sentence of death upon him. He then earnestly be- sought them to give him a year and a day's respite to clear himself of the suspicion under which he lay. That he obtained. When the next Hogmanay came round, he went the way of the Fairy Knoll in which he had left his companion. The Fairy Knoll was open, and his companion plying the dance with the fairies, as he had left him. He thrust the dirk into the door post, and called to his companion, who was dancing with the jar still on his back, that it was now high time for him to come out. "What do you say? I have not yet finished the first reel?" "Do you know how long you are on the floor? " " Not more than two or three minutes." "You are here a day and a year! Your friends are thinking that you are dead, and intend to l66 • FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. aidh thu beò slàn an nochd." " Stad gus an cuir mi crioch air an ruithil so, agus falbhaidh mi leat an sin." Thug e an so ionnsaidh air pilleadh a stigh, ach rug a chompanach air ghairdean air, agus splon e mach e. Tharruing e an sin a' bhiodag a taobh an doruis, agus ghrad dhruid an dorus orra le chèile. Thill iad dhachaidh, agus an uair a ràinig iad, agus a thug a' cheud fhear am pige bhàrr a dhroma, bha an t-aodach fuidhe caithte gu ruig an craicionn. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 167 put me to death to-morrow unless I bring you home alive and well to-night." " Stay until I finish this reel, and I will go with you then." He now attempted to return within, but his companion laid hold of him by the arm and pulled him out. His companion then drew the dirk out of the door-post, and forthwith the door closed against them both. They returned home; and when they had arrived, and the first man had taken the jar off his back, the clothes under it were worn through to the skin. [MAR A THOGADH A' CHEUD CHAISTEAL AIR CARRAIG SHRUIBHLEADH.] Laimh ri Sruibhleadh bha uair-eigin a' fuireachd seann duin'-uasal a ghabh 'na cheann Caisteal a thogail air Carraig Shruibhleadh. Roghnaich e làrach air fior mhullach na Cairge, agus tharruing e mach dealbh an togail a b' àill leis a chur suas oirre. Ach an uair a bha an dealbh criochnaichte, chunnaic e nach robh de dh' airgiod aige na thogadh an Caisteal. Ach a dh' aindeoin so, cha b' urrainn e cùl a chur ri dòchas a fhaicinn suas uair no uair-eigin mu'm faigheadh e am bàs. Maduinn agus feasgar chiteadh e ag coiseachd mu'n cuairt air an làraich a roghnaich e, agus chluinnteadh e ag gearan ris fèin nach robh aige de stòras na bheireadh dha comas air a run a ghifilan a mach. Mu dheireadh thall thàinig duineachan beag far an robh e, is e ag gabhail a chuairt fheasgair ghnàthaichte air bhàrr mullaich na Cairge, agus thubhairt e: " Ciod a bheir thu dhomh-sa, ma thogas mise an Caisteal air do shon ? " " Cha'n 'eil ni saoghalta agam-sa, a thairgeas mi dhuit, mur gabh thu an t-aodach 'sam bheil mi am sheasamh," fhreagair an duin'-uasal. "Am falbh thu leam bliadhna o 'n tac so, ma chuireas mi suas e roimhe sin? " ars an Coigreach. " Cha gheall mi sin duit," ars an seann duine. " Ach cha ruig thu leas falbh leam, ma gheibh thu mach m' ainm, mu'n ruith a' bhliadhna mach," ars an Coigreach. HOW THE FIRST CASTLE WAS BUILT ON STIRLING ROCK. Near Stirling there once lived an old gentleman, who took it in his head to build a Castle on Stirling Rock. He chose a site on the very top of the Rock, and drew out a plan of the building he wished to put up on it. But when the plan was finished, he found that he had not money enough to build the Castle. Notwithstand- ing this, he could not abandon the hope of seeing it completed some time or other before he died. Morning and evening he would be seen walking about the site he had chosen, and heard lamenting to himself that he had not the means to enable him to carry out his idea. At long last, a little manikin came to him as he was making his usual evening round on the summit of the Rock, and said: " What will you give me if I build the Castle for you?" " I have nothing in the world to offer you unless you take the clothes in which I stand," replied the gentleman. " Will you go with me a year hence, if I put it up for you before then? " again asked the Stranger. " No, I'll not promise you that," said the old man. '* You need not go with me, if you can find out my name before the year runs out," added the Stranger. 170 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Air a' bhonn sin dli' aontaich an duin'-uasal, oir •smuaintich e gu'm bitheadh e 'na ni iongantach mur faigheadh e mach ainm an duineachain bhig an taobh a stigh de'n ùine a luathsaicheadh dha. Chaidh e dhachaidh, an oidhche sin, an sunnd na b' fhearr na b' abhaist da; agus an uair a phill e air ais an ath mhaduinn, chunnaic e le gàirdeachas an steidh air a leagadh. Oidhche an deidh oidhche, bha an duineachan beag ag cur ris an togail; ach air oidhche mu dheireadh an ràithe, cha robh e ri fhaicinn mu'n Chaisteal, is cha robh ni air bith air a chur ris an togail. An uair a bha a' bhhadhna a' tarruing dlùth d'a ceann, bha an togail fagus air a bhi criochnaichte. Bha nis an seann duin'-uasal a' fas ro iomagaineach ; oir cha d'fhuair e fathast a mach ainm a' Choigrich. Dh' fheuch e a ris agus a ris air ciod e a bhreithneachadh ; ach a dh' aindeoin gach oidhirp a thug e, rinn e an diomhain. Mu dheireadh chaidh e far an robh duine glic anns a' choimhearsnachd, agus dh'iarr e air a chuideachadh. Thubhairt an seann duine: " Is e sithiche a tha anns a' Choigreach. Air latha mu dheireadh an ràithe lean e do'n àite d'an teid e, agus seas ag eisdeachd a muigh, agus is dòcha gu'n cluinn thu a ainm o bheul cuid no cuid-eigin a stigh." Phill an duin'-uasal dhachaidh, agus an uair a thàinig an t-àm, rinn e gach ni a dh' iarr an duine glic air. Air feasgar mu dheireadh an ràithe lean e an sithiche gus am faca se e a' dol a stigh do'n t^Sithean, agus an cuala e guth a stigh, ag ràdh : " An d'thàinig thu, a Thomais Sheochd ? " Cho luath is a chuala e so, dh' fhalbh e, Ian chinnteach gu'n d'fhuair e mach diomhaireachd an t-sithiche. Ach ghlèidh e an diomh- aireachd dha fein gus an d'thàinig feasgar mu dheireadh na bliadhna. An sin chaidh e dh'ionnsaidh FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 171 On that footing the gentleman agreed, for he thought it would be a strange thing if he could not discover the little manikin's name within the time allowed him. He went home that night in better cheer than was usual for him, and when he returned next morning, he was delighted to see the foundation laid. Night after night the little manikin was adding to the building"; but on quarter night he was not to be seen about the Castle, and nothing was added to the building. When the year was drawing towards its close, the building was nearly completed. The old gentleman was now getting very anxious; for he had not yet discovered the Stranger's name. He tried again and again to guess what it might be; but in spite of every effort he made, he acted to no purpose. At last he went to a wise man in the neighbourhood, and asked his assistance. The old man said: "The Stranger is a fairy. On the last night of the quarter follow him to the place where he goes, and stand listening outside, and you will likely hear his name pronounced by some- body or other within." The gentleman returned home, and when the proper time arrived he did everything the wise man had advised him. On quarter night he followed the fairy until he saw him enter the Fairy Knoll, and heard a voice inside saying: " Have you come, Thomas son of Jock?" As soon as he heard this, he went away, quite satisfied that he had discovered the fairy's secret. But he kept it to himself until the last evening of the year arrived. Then he went to the Rock, where the fairy was waiting for him. The fairy said: "I have finished my work, and you must now go away with me." "No, I will not go with you yet," answered 172 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. na Cairge, far an robh an sithiche a' feitheamh air a shon. Thubhairt an sithiche: " Chriochnaich mise m' obair, agus feumaidh tusa nis falbh learn." " Cha'n fheum; cha'n fhalbh mi leat fathast," fhreagair an duin'-uasal. " Feumaidh tu, mur innis thu dhomh-sa ciod is ainm dhomh," ars an sithiche. " Nach tu Tòmas Sheochd?" ars an duin'-uasal. Fhreagair an sithiche: " Ma 's mise Tomas Sheochd, Is mi a dhealbh an t-olc; Tha thusa 'sin, a Shrutha-Shliabh, Is tha mise gun d' fhiach an nochd." Agus air falbh ghabh e 'na lasair theine troimh bhalla a' Chaisteil, a fagail 'na dheidh tuill nach urrainn clach, no crann, no ni air bith fo'n ghrein a dhruideadh, ach buachar each. FOLK TALES AND FAIRV LORE. I 73 the gentleman. " You must, if you cannot tell me my name," said the fairy. " Are you not Thomas, son of Jock?" enquired the gentleman. The fairy replied: " If I am Thomas, son of Jock, 'Tis I devised the wicked plot. Thou standest, River Mount, in sight, And for thee nought have I to-night." And away he flew through the Castle wall in a flame of fire, leaving behind him a hole which neither stone, nor wood, nor anything under the sun but horse dung can close. [AN GILLE DUBH MACRTJIMEIN AGUS A' BHEAN-SHITHE.] Tha e coltach gu'n robh na sithichean 'nan luchd-ciùil barraichte, agus gu'm b' i a' phiob an roghainn de gach inneal-ciùil. Is minic a chuala fear-gabhail-an- rathaid a fuaim a' tighinn a mach as an t-Sithean a thuit a bhi 'na shlighe, agus a dh'fhairich e a ceòl binn 'ga theumadh gu bhi a' bualadh a stigh agus a chas a thogail leis na sithichibh anns an dannsadh. An ealdhain so a bha aca, tha e air a ràdh gu'n do theagaisg iad do chuid a dhaoine air an do ghabh iad speis, agus a tha fhathast air chuimhne ann am beul- aithris. 'Nam measg sin bha an Gille Dubh MacRuimein. Gu am a' Ghille Dhuibh cha robh Clann Mhic Ruimein na b'fhearr na piobairean matha eile anns a' Ghàidheahachd. B' esan a' cheud aon diubh a dh' ^irich OS ceann chàich uile ann an ainmealachd, agus ris an abradh gu coitchionn Righ nam Piobairean. B'e an t-aon a b' òige de thri mic, agus air am bu lugha meas aig a athair. An uair a bheireadh a athair a nuas o chùl a' mhaide chruim a' phiob mhor ris an abradh e a' Chachlaidh Dhubh, agus a chluicheadh e fein a' cheud phort oirre, shineadh e i d'a mhac a bu shine, agus an uair a bhitheadh a mhac bu shine reidh dhith shineadh e i do 'n dara mac; ach an uair a bhitheadh an dara mac reidh dhith, cha'n fhaigheadh an Gille Dubh a dh'urram uibhir agus sèid a chur 'na mala. Bha e mar an ceudna air a chumail fodha le THE BLACK LAD MACCRIMMON AND THE BANSHEE. It appears that the fairies were excellent musicians, and that their choice of all musical instruments was the bag-pipes. Often did the wayfarer hear its sound coming from the Fairy Knoll, which happened to be in his path, and often did he feel its sweet music tempt- ing him to walk in, and lift his foot in the dance with the fairies. This art which they possessed they are said to have taught to some men for whom they took a liking, and who are still remembered in tradition. Among these was the Black Lad Mac Crimmon. L'p to the Black Lad's time, the Mac Crimmons were not better than other good pipers in the High- lands. He was the first of them who rose above all the rest in fame, and who Avas commonly called " The King of Pipers." He was the youngest of three sons, and the least thought of by his father. When his father would take down from the back of the crooked stick the great bag- pipes, which he called the Black Gate, and he himself would play the first tune on it, he would hand it to his eldest son, and when his eldest son had done with it, he would hand it to the second son ; but when the second son had done with it, the Black Lad would not 176 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. each, agus air a fhagail gu bhi a' deanamh gach oibre a bu tràilleile na cheile. Air la sònraichte chaidh a athair agus a dhà bhràthair dh'ionnsaidh na feille, agus dh' fhàg iad esan aig an tigh leis fhein. An deidh dhoibh falbh, fhuair e am feadan, agus thòisich e air cluich air. Agus am meadhon na cluiche, cò thainig air ach a' Bhean-Shithe as an Dun. " Tha thu trang ag iomairt ciùil, 'lUe," ars i. Fhreagair e gu'n robh. " Co aca a b'fhearr leat, ealdhain gun rath, no rath gun ealdhain ? " ars i an sin. Thubhairt e gu'm b' ftiearr leis ealdhain gun rath. Spion i ròineag as a ceann, agus dh'iarr i air a cur mu thimchioll ribheid an fheadain. An uair a rinn e sin, thubhairt i ris: " Cuir a nis do mheòir air tuill an fheadain, agus cuiridh mise mo mheòir air do mheòir-se." Cho luath is a bha sin deanta, thubhairt i: " An uair a thogas mise meur, togaidh tusa am meur a bhitheas fuidhe. Smaointich a nis air port 'sam bith a thoilicheas tu, agus cluich leam-sa e, mar dh'iarr mi ort." Rinn e sin, agus chluich e am port gu fileanta. An uair a chriochnaich e am port, thubhairt i: "A nis is tu Righ nam Piobairean. Cha robh do leithid romhad, agus cha bhi do leithid as do dhèidh." Dh'fhàg i an sin latha math aige, agus dh' fhalbh i. Cho luath is a dh' fhalbh i, thug e nuas a' Chachlaidh Dhubh, agus thòisich e air cluich oirre. Cha robh port air an smaointicheadh e nach d'fheuch e, agus nach b' urrainn e a chluich gu furasda. Mu'n do sguir e, thill a athair agus a bhràithrean o'n fheill. Agus an uair a dhlùthaich iad air an tigh, chuala iad an ceòl, agus sheas iad a dh' eisdeachd. " Co air bith a tha ag cluich, is ann air a' Chachlaidh Dhuibh," ars an t-athair r'a mhic. Chaidh iad air an aghaidh, ach sguir an ceòl mu'n d' ràinig iad an tigh. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 177 get the honour of blowing so much as one blast into the bag. He was also kept down by the rest, and left to do every piece of work that was more slavish than another. On a certain day, his father and his two brothers went to the fair, and left him alone at home. After they had gone, he got hold of the chanter, and began to play upon it. And in the midst of the playing, who should come upon him but the Banshee from the Castle. "Thou art busy discoursing music, Lad," said she. He answered that he was. " Which wouldst thou pre- fer, skill without success, or success without skill?" said she then. He answered that he would rather have skill without success. She pulled a hair from her head, and asked him to put it round the reed of the chanter. When he had done that, she said to him: "Place now thy fingers on the holes of the chanter, and I will lay my fingers on thy fingers." As soon as that was done, she said: " When I shall lift my finger, lift thou the finger which happens to be under it. Think now of any tune thou pleasest, and play it with me in the way I have told thee." He did so, and played the tune skilfully. When he had finished the tune, she said: " Now thou art the King of Pipers. Thine equal was not before thee, and thine equal shall not be after thee." She then bade him good day, and departed. As soon as she had gone, he took down the Black Gate and began playing on it. There was not a tune he could think of which he did not try and which he could not play wàth ease. Before he ceased his father and brothers had returned from the fair. And when they approached the house, they heard the music, and stood to listen. " Whoever is playing, it is on the Black Gate," said the father to his sons. They went on, but the music ceased before they reached the house. N !78 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Chaidh iad a stigh, ach cha do ghabh aon aca air gu'n cuala e an ceòl, gus an d'thainig an oidhche. An sin thug an seann duine a nuas a' phiob mhòr, agus an deidh dha fein agus d'a dhà mhac port mu seach a chur oirre, dh' iarr e air a' Ghille Dhubh a thacan fein a ghabhail dhith. "An e mise?" ars e. " Cha 'n airidh mise air an onair sin. Is leòir dhomh- sa a bhi am thraill agaibh uile." " Glac a' phlob, agus cha'n iarrar ort obair thrailleil a dheanamh tuilleadh," thubhairt a athair. Rug e air a' phiob mu dheireadh, agus chuir e suas an aon cheòl bu ghrinne a chuala duine a bha stigh riamh. " Dh' fhag an ceòl sinn," ars an t-athair ris na mic eile. " Cha tig aon againn an uisge na stiuire do'n Ghille Dhubh." B' fhior mar thubhairt e, oir cha robh leithid a' Ghille Dhuibh ann r'a linn no 'na dhèidh. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 179 They went in, but none of them let on that they had heard the music till night came. Then the old man took clown the great bag-pipes, and after he himself and his two eldest sons had played tune about, he asked the Black Lad to take his own spell of it. " Is it I ? " said he, " I am not worthy of that honour. It is enough for me to be a slave to you all." " Take the bag-pipes, and thou shalt no longer be asked to do slavish work," said his father. He took the pipes at last, and struck up the finest music any one in the house had ever heard. " The music has left us," said the father to the other sons. ** None of us will come in the wake of the Black Lad." He spake truly, for the like of the Black Lad never lived, either in his own time, or since. MAC RUIMEIN IS A FHEADAN AIRGID. [Fhuair Mac Ruimein feadan airgid bho Bhean- shithe Uaimh an Oir air chumhnant gu'n tigeadh e maille rithe do'n Uaimh aig ceann la is bliadhna. Is e so am port a chluicli e, is e a' dol a steach do'n Uaimh : — ] Cha tig mise ! Cha till mise ! Mu'n tig mis' a Uaimh an Oir Bidh na minn bheaga 'Nan gabhair chreagach, 'S a' chlann laga 'nam fir-air. Is cianail mise, 'Triall fo gheasaibh ; Bidh mi 'm feasd an Uaimh an Oir. A' PHOG A FHUAIR E O LAIMH AN RIGH. [Rinneadh na rainn so le Mac Ruimein, an uair a chluich e an lathair an Righ, agus air do'n R)gh iarraidh air a dhuais innseadh, dh'iarr e cead air làmh an Righ a phògadh.] Fhuair mi pòg, gu'n d'fhuair mi pòg, Fhuair mi pòg, o làimh an Righ. Cha d' chuir sèid' an craiceann caorach A fhuair an fhàilte ud, ach mi fhèin. MACCRIMMON'S SILVER CHANTER. MacCrimmon got a silver chanter from the Banshee of the Cave of Gold on condition that he would go with her to the Cave at the end of a day and a year. The following is the tune played by him as he entered the Cave : — [I shall come never! Return I'll never! Ere I come from the Cave of Gold, The kidling flocks Will be goats of the rocks, And the children weak be warriors bold. I am in woe, Under spells to go; I'll be for aye in the Cave of Gold.] THE KISS HE GOT FROM THE KING'S HAND. These lines were composed by MacCrimmon who, on being requested by the King to name his reward for playing before him, asked liberty to kiss the King's hand. [A kiss I got, a kiss I got, From the King's hand a kiss I got ! No blasts of breath in sheepskin blown That got yon greeting. 'Tis mine own.] CLANN MHICGLAISEIN AGUS AN DA SHEALLADH. A reir beul-aithris bha sealladh an da shaoghail aig Cloinn MhicGlaisein Chreaganaich an Liosmòr. Fhuair aon aca an comas so air an dòigh a leanas:— An uair a bha a phàrantan a' dol leis air-son baistidh do dh' Eaglais na Sgireachd, shuidh iad, fad beagan mhionaid a ghabhail foise air cnoc, làimh ri Allt Aogain, àite aig an robh ainm a bhi 'na ionad-tatliaich sònraichte aig na sithichean. Am feadh a bha iad ag cur seachad an sgios, leag iad sios laimh riu an leanabh, paisgte ann am breacan, agus e 'na shuain chadail. i\gus an uair a dh'fhalbh iad a ris, dhi-chuimhnich an te, ris an d'earbadh c, a thabhairt leatha. Cho luath is a chaidh a ionndrainn, phill iad air an ais, agus fhuair iad e 'na shuain chadail far an d'fhagadh e. CTia robh atharrachadh air bith ri fhaicinn 'na choltas; gidheadh bha na sithichean maille ris, agus dh'fhàg iad aige sealladh an da shaoghail. Ruith an comas a fhuair e an sin sios uaith-san dh'ionnsaidh a shliochd re iomad gineil. Tha aon diubh a bha ann an toiseach an linn so fathast air chuimhne mar thaibhsear comharaichte. So aon de mhòran sgeòil a bha aon uair air an innseadh m'a thimchioll : — Bha bràthair-cèile aige a chaill a cheud bhean 'na laighe-shiùbhladh, agus a dhiiilt fad ijine 'na dheidh sin comhfhurtachd a ghabhail. Air feasgar-eigin, is e THE MACGLASHENS OF CREAGANICH AND THE SECOND SIGHT. According to tradition the MacGlashens of Creaganich, in Lismore, had the vision of the two worlds. This gift one of them acquired in the following way: — When his parents were going with him for baptism to the Parish Church, they sat down to rest for a few minutes on a knoll at Allt Aogain, a place always re- puted to be a favourite resort of the fairies. While they were putting past their weariness they laid the child down beside them, wrapped in a plaid, and fast asleep. And when they went away again, the woman who had charge of him forgot to take him with her. As soon as he was missed they returned back and found him asleep where he had been left. There was no change to be seen in his appearance, nevertheless the fairies had visited him and bestowed on him the vision of the two worlds. This power, which he then obtained, passed down from him to his descendants for many generations. One of them, who lived in the beginning of this (19th) century, is still remembered as a remarkable seer. Here is one of many stories once told about him : — His brother-in-law, having lost his first wife in child- bed, was, for some time after, inconsolable. One evening, as he was returning home in MacGlashen's 184 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. a' pilleadh dhachaidh an cuideachd MhicGIaisein, agus ag caoidh na bha uaith, thubhairt MacGlaisein ris: " Cha ruig thu leas a bhi ag caoidh mar sin air-son do mhnatha; ma thoilicheas tu, bheir mise air a h-ais dhuit i gun mhòran dàlach." Ach ghrìos fear a' bliròin air gun sin a dheanamh. " Ma-tà," ars MacGlaisein, " sin i, a' leum romhainn o chnocan gu cnocan 'na h-eun glas; agus mur leig thu leamsa a tabhairt air a h-ais dhuit mu 'n tig crioch na bliadhna, cha'n fhaic thu tuilleadh i; oir tha i leis na sithichean, agus tha iadsan a'dol air imrich an ùine ghoirid, agus aon uair is gu'm falbh iad, cha'n urrainn mise a tabhairt air a h-ais gu bràth." Sguir a' bhantrach a chaoidh air-son a mhnatha; agus mu'n d'thàinig crioch air a' bhliadhna, phòs e te eile. Air oidhche na bainnse, thubhairt Mac- Glaisein, is e a bhi an làthair, r'a chompanach : " Seall thar mo ghualainn, agus chi thu a' cheud bhean a' seasamh eadar an dara te agus a fear." Ach dhiùlt a chompanach an cuireadh. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 1 85 company, and lamenting his loss, the latter said: " You need not be lamenting like that for your wife; if you like, 1 will bring her back to you without much delay." But the widower adjured him not to do that. " Well," added MacGlashen, " there she is, in the form of a grey bird, hopping from knoll to knoll before us; and if you do not allow me to bring her back to you before the end of the year, you will never see her again ; for she is with the fairies, and they are going to flit soon, and once they depart I can never bring her back." The widower ceased to mourn for his wife, and before the end of the year had come he married another. On the night of the wedding, MacGlashen, who was pre- sent, said to his companion: " Look over my shoulder and you will see the first wife standing between the second one and her husband." But his companion de- clined the invitation. DAOINE BEAGA MHUILINN-FEUNACHAN AN DAOGHALL. Uair-eigin roimhe so bha a chòmhnuidh am Muilionn- Feunachan an Daoghall, muillear, a bha cho làidir is gu'n d' fhuair e, mar fhar-ainm, Calum Laidir. Ach ged bha Calum laidir, cha robh duine 'san sgireachd a bha cho mor air a chlaoidh leis an dubh leisg ris. Hha leisg Chaluim air a cumail a suas le daoine beaga, nach faca duine, agus nach cuala ach ro bheagan. An uair a bhitheadh an t-uisge gann, agus an siol r'a bhleith, chuireadh Calum, mu'n rachadh e laighe, Ian an t-soithich cairteil de mhin-eòrna anns an treabhailt; agus air feadh na h-oidhche bhitheadh am muileann air a fhaicinn laiste suas, an roth a' dol mu 'n cuairt as eugmhais uisge, caithreim ghairdeachais a stigh ; agus anns a' mhaduinn bhitheadh gach siol 's a' mhuileann air a fhaotainn bleithte, a' mhin am pocaibh, agus gach ni air a fhàgail gu cruinneil, òrdail. Na'm bitheadh duine air bith cho dana is gu'n rachadh e do'n mhuileann am feadh a bhitheadh na daoine beaga aig obair, bheireadh cuid-eigin neo-fhaicsinneach breab dha anns a' chùlaibh, le neart cho mor is gu'n tuiteadh e gu làr; agus, an uair a dh' eireadh e, le sròn bhriste, is a' sileadh fala, bhitheadh am muileann an dorchadas, agus gach ni samhach. An uair a bhitheadh feum air connlaich air-son na spreidhe, bhitheadh meadar mor càbhruich air a fhàgail air an ùrlar bhualaidh 'san oidhche, agus anns a* THE LITTLE MEN OF MLILINFENACHAN IN DUTHIL. Once upon a time there lived at Mulinfenachan in Duthil a miller who was so strong that he was called Strong Malcolm. But though Malcolm was strong, no man in the parish was so afflicted as he with the black laziness. Malcolm's laziness was encouraged by " little men," whom nobody ever saw, and very few ever heard. When water was scarce, and corn had to be ground, Malcolm, before going to bed, would place a lippy of barley meal in the hopper; and during the night the mill would be seen lighted up, the wheel turning with- out water, the noise of shouting and laughter inside; and in the morning all the corn in the mill would be found ground, the meal in bags, and everything left tidy and in order. If any man was so bold as to enter the mill while the little men were at work, some unseen power would kick him in the rear with such force that he would fall to the ground; and when he would ri::e, with a broken and bleeding nose, the mill would be in darkness and all would be silent. When straw was wanted for the cattle, a large basin of sowens was left on the thrashing-floor at night, and in the morning all the corn was found thrashed, the straw in bundles, and the grain winnowed and ready for the mill. 1 88 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. mhaduinn bhitheadh an siol uile air a fhaotainn buailte, a' chonnlach 'na boiteinean, agus an gran grèidhte, agus deas air-son a' mhuilinn. Air oidhche araidh a bha na daoine beaga trang 's a' mhuileann, chunnacas àth Thulaich Ghriobainn r'a theine; agus chualas na daoine beaga ag glaodhaich : '* Bithidh pailteas mine againn a nis, agus càbhruich cuideachd; oir tha àth Thulaich Ghriobainn r'a theine; agus o so suas feumaidh Calum Laidir oibreachadh air a shon fèin, no bàsachadh leis an acras." Dh' fhalbh iad an sin, agus cha do thill iad tuilleadh. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 189 One night, as the little men were busy in the mill, the kiln of Tullochgriban was seen to be on fire, and the little men were heard to exclaim: "We will have plenty of meal now, and sowens too, for Tulloch- griban kiln is on fire, and Strong Malcolm must hence- forth work for himself, or starve." The little men then went away and never more returned. SITHICHEAN CHREAG - THULAICH. Bha duine o thaobh Loch Obha latha a' siubhal monadh a' Bhaile mhoir, baile a bha goirid as o'n àite 'san robh e ag gabhail còmhnuidh. Bha an latha grianach, bòidheach ; agus an uair a ràinig e Creag - thulaich, shuidh e sios air a mullach, a ghabhail seallaidh air an dùthaich m'a thimchioll. Cha robh e fada an sin, gus an d' thàinig dà shìthiche g'a ionnsaidh, agus corruich mhor orra, a chionn gu'n robh e 'na shuidhe far an d'fhuair iad e. Bha fear dhiubh air-son a thilgeil thar na creige gun dàil ; ach bha am fear eile air-son a leigeil as an uair sin. Chonnsaich iad mu'n chùis so car tacain, ach b' e deireadh na cluiche, gu 'n do leig iad as e, air chumhnant nach suidheadh e 'san àite 'san d' fhuaradh e tuilleadh. Uair-eigin 'na dheidh sin, thuit do n duine a bhi rathad na creige rithist, agus a dhearbhadh co dhiubh bha e 'na chadal no 'na fhaireachadh, an uair a bha leis gu 'm faca e an da shithiche, shuidh e sios anns a' cheart àite 'san robh e a' cheud uair. Ann am priobadh na sùla thàinig tri sìthichean far an robh e, agus iad ann an corruich uamhasaich. Rug iad air, agus thug iad dha droch chrathadh agus bhrùthadh ; agus an sin leig iad as e, a' bagradh dioghaltais bu mhiosa air, na 'm faigheadh iad 'san àite cheudna e rithist. 'IHE FAIRIES OF CRAIG TULLOCH. A Loch Awe man was one day travelling over the hill of Balliemore, a farm situated at a short distance from the place where he lived. The day was sunny and beautiful, and when he reached Craigtulloch, he sat down on the summit to take a view of the surrounding district. He had not been long there until two fairies came to him in great wrath, because he was sitting where they found him. One of them wanted to throw him over the rock without delay, but the other wished to let him ofif that time. They wrangled over this matter for a while, but the end of the play was that they let him off, on condition that he would never again sit where he had been found. Some time after, the man happened to be in the neigh- bourhood of the rock again, and to prove whether he had been awake or asleep when he thought he saw the two fairies, he sat down in the self-same place where he had been the first time. In the twinkling of an eye three fairies came to him in a terrible passion. They laid hold of him and gave him a bad shaking and bruising, and then they allowed him to go, threatening him with worse punishment should they ever find him in the same place again. NA SITHICHEAN AG CONNSACHADH. Bha cuid a dhaoine o shean ag creidsinn gu'm bitheadh na sithichean air uairibh ag cruinneachadh as gach ceàrn de 'n dùthaich mu'n cuairt gu coinneamh a ghlèidhadh an àite àraidh, mar bha an Cnoc anns a' Mhorbhairne; agus gu'n gabhadh aon bhuidheann diubh taobh muinntir a' bhaile air an robh an Sithean aca suidhichte an aghaidh buidhne o bhaile no àite air bith eile. Thàinig uair buidheann a Muile a ghlèidheadh coinneimh ri buidheann eile as a' Mhoirbhairne; ach, air an uair sin, thachair iad air a cheile làimh ri abhainn Achachairn, an àite an ionaid ghnàthaichte 's a' Chnoc. Cha robh iad fada còmhla gus am faca iad duine, ris an abradh Iain Og, a' tighinn an rathad. Cho luath is a thug a' bhuidheann Mhuileach an aire dha, ghlaodh iad: " Bheir sinn leinn Iain Og." Ach a chionn gu'm b'ann o'n aon bhaile a bha e fein agus a' bhuidheann Mhorbhairneach, fhreagair na Morbhairn- eich : "Cha tabhair sibh leibh Iain Og." Ghlaodh na Muilich a rithist an guth àrd: " Bheir sinn leinn Iain Og, " ach ma ghlaodh, fhreagair na Morbhairneich an guth cho àrd r' an guth fein: " Cha toir sibh leibh Iain Og." Chum an da bhuidheann mar so ag connsach- adh r' a cheile ùine mhath, agus mar b' fhaide a lean iad, b' ann bu dliiithe iad air a cheile, agus a b' àirde is a bu chroisde a bha an guth a' dol. Cha robh na Morbhairneich cho lionmhor r' an THE FAIRIES WRANGLING. Some people of old believed that the fairies gathered now and again from every corner of the surrounding district to hold a meeting in an appointed place, such as Knock in Morven, and that one troop of them would side with the people of the farm, where their Fairy Knoll was situated, against a troop from any other farm or district. Once a troop came from Mull to keep tryst with another troop from Morven, but on that occasion they met near the river of Acharn, instead of the usual place in Knock. They were not long together until they beheld a man, whom the neighbours called Young John, coming their way. As soon as the Mull troop noticed him, they cried: "We will take Young John with us." But as he and the Morven troop were from the same farm, the latter replied: " You shall not take Young John with you." The Mull troop cried again, in a loud voice: " We will take Young John with us; " but, if they did, the Morven troop replied in as loud a voice as their own: " You shall not take Young John with you." Both troops kept wrangling thus together for a good while, and the longer they continued the nearer they approached each other and the higher and the angrier their voices became. The Morven troop were not so numerous as their neighbours from over the sound, but, if not so numer- O 194 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. coimhearsnaich o thaobh eile a' chaoil ; ach, mur robh, bha iad pailte cho seòlta. An uair a chunnaic iad gu 'm b' e na buillean a bhitheadh ann mu dheireadh, na'n cumadh iad suas an conas na b' fhaide, ghlaodh iad: "Is fhearr a bhi sunndach na a bhi sanntach ; theid sinn gu taobh Achachàirn is dannsaidh sinn." Ach cha robh na Muilich toileach an cothrom a fhuair iad a leigeadh seachad; agus le sin fhreagair iad: " Is fhearr a bhi cinnteach na a bhi caillteach ; cha teid sinn gu taobh Achachàirn a dhannsadh." Chonnsaich iad mu'n chiais so greis eile, aon taobh ag ràdh gu'n rachadh, agus an taobh eile ag ràdh nach rachadh iad gu Achachàirn a dhannsadh. Ach mu dheireadh thall, b' i comhairle na sithe a bhuadhaich ; chaidh iad le cheile gu taobh Achachàirn, agus, mu'n do sguir an danns- adh, fhuair Iain Og seachad. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 1 95 ous, they were fully as knowing. When they saw that the dispute would end in blows if they kept up the wrangle any longer, they cried; " Better is being merry than being greedy; we shall go to Acharn side and dance." But the Mull troop were not willing to let pass the opportunity they had got, and hence they answered: " Better is to make sure than to lose; we shall not go to Acharn side to dance." They disputed over this point another while, one side maintaining that they would and the other that they would not go to Acharn to dance. At long last, however, the counsel of peace prevailed; they went to Acharn, and before the dance ceased Young John got past. [A' BHEAN SHUAINEARTACH AIR A DIONADH O NA SITHICHEAN LEIS A' CHLAIDHEAMH MAC GILL'ONFHAIDH.] Bha iasgair làimh ri Loch Suaineart an Airdnamurchan a dh' fhàg a bhean leatha fèin anns an tigh am feadh a bha e ag cur nan lion anns an Loch, agus 'gam fàgail an sin fad na h-oidhche. Am fad is a bha e air falbh, thàinig da choigreach — aon diùbh ro mhòr, agus an t-aon eile ro bheag — dh' ionnsaidh dorus an àite far an robh a bhean 'na laighe 'san leabadh. Bha fosgladh eadar mullach an doruis agus an t-àrd-dorus, troimh an do chuir am fear mor a stigh a cheann, agus am faca e a' bhean anns an leabadh. Sheas e tacain ag amharc oirre gun ionnsaidh a thoirt air dol a stigh, gus an do phùc am fear beag e cho cruaidh is gu'n do gheill an dorus, agus an do spàrradh a stigh e do 'n àite-laighe gu ruig meadhon an ùrlair; ach na b' fhaide na sin cha b' urrainn an duine beag a chur. Sheas e far an robh e, gus an cuala e farum chas fhir-an-tighe a' dliithachadh. An sin dh' fhalbh e fèin agus a chompanach ; agus mar bha iad a' fàgail an tighe, chualadh aon diubh ag ràdh : "Car-son nach d' thug thu leat am boirionnach ? " Agus am fear eile a' freagairt: " Bha Mac Gill'onfhaidh 'na laighe eadar mi agus i." B'e so seann chlaidheamh a bha falaichte fo 'n aodach làimh ris a' bheinge, agus a fhuair an t-ainm so, aon chuid o 'n cheud duine aig an robh e, no o'n ghobhainn a rinn e. THE SUNART WOMAN PROTECTED FROM THE FAIRIES BY THE SWORD MACGILLONY. There lived a fisherman near Loch Sunart, in Ardnamurchan, who left his wife alone in the house, while he was setting the nets in the Loch and leaving them there for the night. In his absence two strangers, one of them very tall and the other very short, ap- proached the door of the apartment where his wife lay in bed. There was an opening between the top of the door and the lintel, through which the tall stranger thrust his head, and saw the woman in bed. He stood a while gazing at her without making any attempt to enter, until the little man pushed him forward so hard that the door gave way and he was forced into the sleeping place as far as the middle of the floor, but further than that the little man could not put him. He stood where he was until he heard the approaching sound of the husband's footsteps. Then he and his companion went away, and as they were leaving the house, one of them was heard saying: " Why did you not take the woman with you? " and the other answer- ing: " MacGillony lay between me and her." This was an old sword which was hidden under the bedding near the front of the bed, which had got this name either from its first owner or after the smith who made it. [CEUD MHAC AN T-SAOIR GHLINNE NODHA AGUS A LEANNAN SITHE.] Bha aig ceud Mhac an t-Saoir Ghlinne Nodha leannan sithe a bha a' tathaich ghleann agus choireachan uaigneach Chruachan Beann. Bu ghnàth leis a chomhairle a chur ris a' bhean shithe so an uair a thuiteadh dha a bhi an càs air bith, agus nach robh fios aige cia mar a gheibheadh e as. Thachair so uair a bha a bhràthair bu shine a' dol a chumail uaith a chòrach fèin de stochd Inbhir Abha. Bha an da bhrathair a chòmhnuidh le cheile, agus ag còrdadh math gu leòir, gus an do phòs am fear a bu shine dhiubh. Ach aon uair is gu'n do thachair sin, cha robh sith na b' fhaide aig an fhear a b' òige air a' bhaile. Mu dheireadh dh' òrdaich a bhrathair air an t-àite fhàgail, agus falbh leis na bhuineadh dha do Ghleann Nodha, agus fuireachd an sin. " Agus gu de a bhuineas dhomh?" dh' fheòraich am bràthair òg. " Am mart ban agus na leanas i," fhreagair am fear eile. Shaoil am bràthair òg gu'n robh e ag ciallachadh a' mhairt bhàin agus a falbhairean a mhàin, agus uime sin, gu'n robh e a' dol a chumail uaith a chòrach fèin de 'n stochd. Cha robh fhios aige fein ciod a dheanadh e 'san t-suidheachadh 'san robh e, ach smuaintich e gu'n gabhadh e comhairle na mnatha sithe. Dhirich e Cruachan, agus fhuair e i an aon de na h-àitibh 'sam b' àbhaist dhi tachairt air. Dh* innis e dhi ciod a thubhairt a bhrathair, agus an sin dh' iarr THE FIRST MACINTYRE OF GLENOE'S FAIRY SWEETHEART. The first Maclntyre of Glenoe had a fairy sweetheart who haunted the glens and soHtary corries of Ben Cruachan. He used to consuh the fairy woman when he happened to be in any strait and knew not how to get out of it. This happened once when his elder brother was going to withhold from him his just share of the stock of In vera we. The two brothers lived together, and agreed well enough, until the elder of them married. But once that took place the younger had no longer any peace on the farm. At length his brother ordered him to leave the place, and go to Glenoe with all that belonged to him, and stay there. " And what belongs to me?" asked the young brother. "The white cow and as many as will follow her," ansjwered the other. The younger brother thought that he meant the white cow and her followers only, and that he was, therefore, going to withhold from him his just share of the stock. He knew not of himself what he should do in the circum- stances in which he was, but he thought he would take the fairy's advice. He ascended Cruachan, and found her in one of the places where he used to meet her. He told her what his brother had said, and then asked her to help him 200 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. e oirre a chuideachadh le a comhairle. " Rach air t'ats gu tigh do bhràthar agus fuirich an sin an nochd. Mu'n tig an latha, bithidh cur sneachda ann, agus còmhdaichear an talamh leis. Anns a' mhaduinn gabh sguab arbhair agus gairm am mart ban as do dhèidh. Thoir ort an sin do Ghleann Nodha leatha fèin agus leis na leanas i, agus fuirich ann." Thill Mac an t-Saoir do dh' Inbhir Abha, agus rinn e gach ni mar dh' iarr a' bhean shlthe air. Dh' èirich e moch an ath latha, thug e sguab choirce as an t-sabhul, agus dh' fhalbh e do Ghleann Nodha leis a' mhart bhàn agus an leth a bu mhotha de bhuaile Inbhir Abha 'na dheidh. Ràinig e an Gleann, far an do thog e tigh, agus goirid 'na dheidh sin phòs e. Uine mhath an deidh dha pòsadh, bha a bhean 'na laighe-shiùbhladh, agus a beatha an cunnart mòr. Cha robh fios aige ciod a dheanadh feum dhi, no cò dh' ionnsaidh an rachadh e air-son cuideachaidh. Mu dheireadh smuaintich e air a' bhean shithe, agus air dol far an robh ise. Ach cha bu luaithe a thàinig an smuaint so 'na cheann na chuimhnich e gu 'n robh i ro eudmhor, agus gu'm faodadh i comhairle a thoirt seachad dha a dheanadh coire an àite maith d'a mhnaoi. Chuir an smuain so dragh air re tamuill. Ach mu dheireadh thubhairt e ris fèin gu'n glèidheadh e tinneas a mhnatha uaigneach, agus gu'n abradh e gu'm b' i an lair ghlas a bha an cunnart. Ràinig e a' bhean shithe, agus dh' fheòraich e dhith ciod a bheireadh freasdaladh do'n lair. Fhreagair i: " Gabh còig cathraichean de 'n bhruth-chorc, agus cuir iad fo ghliin cH na làrach, agus an iiine ghoirid bithidh i cho math is a bha i riamh. Phill Mac an t-Saoir dhachaidh, agus chuir e bruth- chorc fo ghliin cH a mhnatha, agus ann an tiota fhuair i fuasgladh. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 201 with her advice. *' Go back to thy brother's house and stay there to-night. Before day comes there will be a fall of snow, and the ground will be covered by it. In the morning take a sheaf of corn and call the white cow after thee. Betake thyself then to Glenoe, with herself and all that will follow her, and stay there." Maclntyre returned to Inverawe and did everything as the fairy had told him. He rose early next day, took a sheaf of oats from the barn, and departed for Glenoe with the white cow and the bigger half of the Inverawe herd after her. He reached the Glen, where he built a house, and shortly after that he married. A good while after he married, his wife was confined and her life in great danger. He knew not what would do her good, or to whom he should go for help. At last he thought of the fairy, and of going to her. But no sooner did this thought come into his head than he remembered that she was very jealous and that she might give him advice which would do harm instead of good to his wife. This thought troubled him for a time. But at last he said to himself that he would keep his wife's illness secret, and that he would say it was the grey mare which was in danger. He reached the fairy and enquired of her if she knew what would relieve the mare. She replied: " Take five tufts of stool-bent and put them under the left knee of the mare, and in a short time she will be as well as she ever was." Maclntyre returned home and placed the stool - bent under the left knee of his wife, and presently she found relief. MURCHADH BUIDHE NAM FIADH. B' E Diùrach a bh' ann am Murchadh Buidhe nam Fiadh. Bha e, mar tha a ainm a' leigeil ris, 'na shealgair fhiadh ro iomraideach 'na am fein. De gach beinn anns an Eilean b' i Beinn an Oir a roghainn àite seilge, agus lean e air a tathaich, gus an robh e 'na fhior sheann duine liath. B' ann do na sithichean a bhuineadh na feidh, agus bha iad diombach de Mhurchadh Buidhe a chionn gu 'n robh e cho trom air na daimh. Latha bha e a' siubhal na beinne, chunnaic e damh brèagh, air an d' èalaidh e, gus an robh e an dlùthas saighead a thilgeadh air. Ach an uair a chaog e a shùil a ghabhail cuimse, thionndaidh an damh 'na dhuine, agus thubhairt e: "Tha thusa an sin, a Mhurchaidh Bhuidhe nam Fiadh, is tu air fas liath ad shuidhe air sliabh Beinn an Oir." Fhreagair Murchadh: *' Ma tha mise air fas liath air sliabh Beinn an Oir, is fhurasda do Dhia mo dheanamh òg." Air dha so a ràdh, phill neart na h-òige ris a rithist, agus bha e beò iomadh bliadhna an deidh sin. YELLOW-HAIRED MURDOCH OF THE DEER, Yellow Murdoch of the Deer was a Jura man. As his name implies, he was a famous hunter in his time. Of all the mountains in the Island, Ben-an-Or was his favourite hunting ground, and he continued to frequent it, until he was a very old grey-headed man. The deer belonged to the fairies, and they were dis- pleased with Yellow Murdoch because he was so destructive to the stags. One day as he was ranging the mountain he saw a fine stag, which he stalked, until he was near enough to shoot him with an arrow. But when he had shut his eye to take aim, the stag changed into a man, and said: "'There you are, Yellow Murdoch of the Deer, grown grey sitting on the side of Ben-an-Or." Murdoch replied: " If I have grown grey, sitting on the side of Ben-an-Or, it is an easy thing for God to make me young again." Having said this, the strength of youth returned to him once more, and he lived for many years after. CROITEAN AN DOIRE SHEILICH. Cha robh an Croitean ach deòirean bochd a bha na chilis thruais do dhaoine iochdmhor, agus 'na bhall gàire aig luchd na gòraiche agus na h-amaideachd. Bha e air dhroch cumadh o'n la anns an d' rugadh e, le a ghlùinean lag a' lùbadh foidhe, agus le pait mhòir eadar a dhà ghualainn. An uair a ràinig e inbhe balachain, bha e na bu duaichnidh agus neo- chumachdala na bha e eadhon 'na leanabh. Cha robh uair a rachadh e mach air dorus nach bitheadh gràisg chloinne 'ga leantainn ag gàireachdainn agus a' magadh air. Rinn an droch dhlol e cho fiata choimheach is gu'n do sheachainn e an cuideachd, agus gu'n do chaith e a ùine là an dèidh là leis fèin anns an Doire Sheilich a bha goirid as o thigh a mhàthar. Thug na coimhears- naich fa-near far am bu gnath leis del, agus thug iad mar fhrith-ainm air, Croitean an Doire Sheilich. Air feasgar àraidh an dèidh dha mòran fanaide fhulang o chloinn a' bhaile air an robh e a* fuireachd, theich e le cridhe goirt agus a' sileadh nan deur do 'n Doire Sheilich air son diona. Mu 'n deachaidh e ro fhada air aghaidh 'san Doire, choinnicheadh e leis an aon leanaban a bu bhòidhche a chunnaic e riamh. Cha b' urrainn e rithist làn-chunntas a thoirt air coltas na ban- sithiche, oir b' e sin a bha innte, ni mo bha cuimhne aige air a sgeadachadh na b' fhaide na gu 'n robh tonnag uaine m' a guailnibh agus crioslaichte m'a meadhon le crios oir agus gu 'n robh air a ceann boineid uaine le dos iteag airgid a' dannsadh 'na mullach. THE HUNCHBACK OF THE WILLOW BRAKE. Little Hunchback was but a poor, melancholy crea- ture, an object of pity to the compassionate, and a laughing-stock to the thoughtless and foolish. He was deformed from the day of his birth, with his weak knees that bent under him, and a large lump between his shoulders. When he reached boyhood, he was uglier and more deformed than he had been even in his child- hood. He never went out of doors but a crowd of naughty children followed, laughing at him and mock- ing him. Their cruel conduct made him so shy and unsociable that he avoided their company, and he passed his time day after day alone in the Willow Brake, which stood at a short distance from his mother's house. His neighbours noticed where he was accustomed to go, and nicknamed him the Hunchback of the Willow Brake. On a certain evening, after suffering much ridicule from the children of the town where he lived, he fled with a sore heart and weeping eyes to the Willow Brake for shelter. He had not gone far into the wood, when he was met by the very prettiest little babe he had ever seen. The babe was a fairy woman, but he could not afterwards give a full description of her appearance, nor had he any recollection of her attire, beyond this, that about her shoulders was a green mantle, which was bound with a golden girdle about her waist, and that on her head was a green cap, with a tuft of silver feathers waving from its crown. 2o6 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. " C'àìte am bheil thu a' dol ? " ars a' bhean shithe. " Tha mi a' dol a chur seachad an fheasgair anns an Doire Sheilich," fhreagair Croitean. " Nach 'eil companach idir agad leis an tèid thu a chleasachd?" thubhairt i an sin. " Cha'n 'eil: cha dean aon air bith cuideachd rium, o'n nach 'eil mi coltach ri cloinn eile," thubhairt Croitean. Mu dheireadh dh' fheòraich i dheth c' ainm a bha air, agus dh' innis e dhi gu 'n robh Croitean. "Croitean!" ghlaodh i. "Is fhada o'n bha fiughair againn ri tachairt ort. Is mise Mire-gath-greine. agus is e m' aoibhneas a bhi a' deanamh an t-saoghail aighearach. Tiugainn leamsa, tha fiughair aig mo chuideachd riut, cuir seachad an oidhche cuide ruinne, agus anns a' mhaduinn cha bhi èis no earras ort." Dh' fhalbh e leatha gu togarrach gus an d'ràinig iad CÙ1 an t-Sithein Mhoir. " Dijin do shiiilean, agus thoir dhomhsa do làmh," ars a' bhean shithe ris. Rinn e mar dh' iarr i air, agus ann an tiota bha iad anns an aon fhàrdaich a b' àille a chunnaic e riamh. Shlaod i suas troimh an chuideachd e, a' seinn gu h-eutrom : Gu rèidh gu leir ! Gath - greine air tilleadh, Croitean 's i fein, Le cheile air tighinn. "Sonas is àgh air Mire-gath-greine," labhair maighdean cheutach a b' àille air a sgeadachadh na each, agus air an robh air a ceann crijn òir làn usgraichean. " Ciod is aill leatha sinn a dheanamh ri Croitean bochd? " " Sonas 'thoirt da an àite cràidh, Ealdain làn ratha, toil duine mhaith. Is bidh Mire-gath-greine gu h-aobhinn aighearach." Agus air falbh dhanns i gun sùil tuilleadh a thoirt air Croitean. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 207 " Where are you going? " said the fairy. " I am going to pass the evening in the Willow Brake," replied Hunchback. " Have you no companion at all with whom you can play?" said she then. " No; none will keep company with me, since I am not like other children," said Hunchback. At last she asked his name, and he told her it was Hunchback. "Hunchback!" she exclaimed. "It is long since we expected to meet you. I am Play of Sunbeam, and my joy is making the world merry. Come with me, my people are expecting you, and pass the night with us, and in the morning you will have neither disability nor defect." He went cheerfully with her, until they arrived at the back of the Big Fairy Knoll. " Shut your eyes, and give me your hand," said the fairy. He did as she told him, and presently they were in the very grandest mansion he had ever seen. She dragged him up through the midst of the company, singing merrily : " Silence, all ye ! Sunbeam's back hither. Hunchback and she Have come together." "Success and happiness attend Play of Sunbeam!" said a handsome maiden, who was more finely dressed than the rest, and who wore on her head a gold crown full of jewels. " What does she wish us to do for poor Hunchback ?" " For pain to give him lustihead, And, good man's wish, a thriving trade. And Play of Sunbeam will be merry and glad." And then away she went dancing, and without casting another look on Hunchback. 208 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. " Cuin a tha Mire-gath-grèine air atharrachadh ? " ars a' Bhan-righ, " agus a rèir a h-iarrtuis bitheadh e." Ghlac na slthichean eile e, agus an uair a shaoil leis gu'n robh e air a shlaodadh as a chèile eatorra, leig iad as da, agus bha e cho deas, direach is bu choir dha bhi. An sin chuala e an ceòl a bu mhilse ris an d' èisd e riamh, lion solas a chridhe, agus thòisich e air dannsadh còmhla ris na daoine beaga a bha air an ùrlar, agus stad cha d' rinn e gus an do thuit e as a sheasamh leis an sgios. Cha robh e ach goirid 'na laighe air an ùrlar gus an d' thàinig clò-chadal air, agus an d' fhairich e na sithichean 'ga ghiùlan air falbh troimh an athar, agus an ceòl ciùin tiamhaidh a' dol na b' fhaide bhuaith. Mu dheireadh dhùisg e, agus air dha sealltainn m'a thimchioll, b' ann 'san Doire Sheilich fhuair se e fèin 'na laighe. Dh' eirich e, agus phill e dhachaidh. Bha e air falbh latha is bliadhna, agus anns an liine sin, thainig atharrachadh cho mor air is gu'm b' ann air eiginn a dh' aithnich a mhàthair fèin e. Rinn i gàirdeachas ris, agus an dèidh sin fhuair i e 'na chuideachadh mor dhi, oir bha làmh aige nis air gach ealdhain. Am measg na h-òigridh a bhitheadh a' fanaid air, bha giullan air an robh am frith-ainm Saigean. Bha Saigean 'na chreutair crion, granda, le làmhan agus casan coltach ri spàgan cràigein-ghàraidh, agus pait mhòr ag eirigh suas eadar a dha ghualainn. An uair a chunnaic e mar thill Croitean, cho direach ri luaichirean, agus cho uallach ri buachaille nan laogh, rinn e suas càirdeachas ris, agus cha do stad e gus an d' innis e dha gach ni a thachair o'n fheasgar a chaidh e do 'n Doire Sheilich, gus an do phill e air ais a ris. Ach leag e bòid air Saigean gun e a dh' innseadh sin do dhuine beò, a chionn gu 'n robh e fèin fo ghealladh FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 209 "When is Play of Sunbeam otherwise?" said the Queen, "and according to her request let it be." The other fairies seized him, and when he thought that they had pulled him to pieces among them they let him go, and he was as straight and active as he behoved to be. Then he heard the sweetest music he had ever listened to, and joy filled his heart, and he began to dance with the little people that were on the floor, and stopped not until he fell, unable to stand with fatigue. He had not lain but a short time on the floor, till sleep crept over him, and he felt the fairies carrying him away through the air, and the soft, sad music receding further and further from him. At length he awoke, and on looking round, he found himself lying in the Willow Brake. He rose, and re- turned home. He had been away a year and a day; and in that time so great a change had come over him that it was with difficulty that his own mother knew him. She rejoiced at his coming, and after that found him a great help, for now he had a hand for every trade. Among the youngsters who used to mock at him was a boy that bore the nickname of Punchy. Punchy was a little ugly creature, with hands and feet like the paws of a frog, and a big hump between his shoulders. When he saw how Hunchback had returned, as straight as a rush and as gay as a calf-herd, he made friends with him, and rested not until Hunchback had told him everything that had happened, from the evening he went to the Willow Brake, till he came back again. He laid a vow, however, on Punchy, not to tell it to a living being, because he himself was under a promise P 2IO FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. aig na sithichean a ghlèidheadh uaigneach. Gheall Saigean gu 'n deanadh e mar dh' iarradh air. Air an fheasgar sin fein chaidh Saigean do 'n Doire Shieilich an dùil gu 'n coinnicheadh e aon de na sithichean a leighiseadh e mar leighiseadh Croitean, ach cha'n fhaca e gin. Feasgar an dèidh feasgair lean e air dol do 'n àite cheudna, gus, mu dheireadh, am faca e aig bun pris cuilinn duineachan beag 'na shuidhe agus ag amharc le fiamh ghàire fanaidich 'na ghnùis. " An tusa Mire-gath-grèine? " arsa Saigean. " Cha mhi," fhreagair an duineachan, "ach is mi Coma-co-dhiùbh. Ciod do ghnothach-sa ri Mire-gath- grèine? " " O gu 'n toir i dhiom a' phait so mar thug i a' chroit bhàrr Chroitein," thubhairt Saigean. " An toir thu mi do 'n àite far am bheil i? " " NÌ mi s".i," arsa Coma - co - dhiijbh, "ach gheibh thu cead tighinn as mar as àill leat fein." " Tha mi coma cia mar gheibh mi as, ma gheibh mi ann, agus ma bheirear dhiom a' phait mhosach so." Rinn an duineachan beag glag mor gaire, agus an sin dh' fhalbh e le Saigean do 'n t-Sithean Mhòr, agus thug e stigh e, mar thugadh Croitean. " Co e so air teachd d' ar n-ionnsaidh gun chuireadh gun iarraidh ? " ars a' Bhan-righ, agus i ag amharc gu cruaidh air Saigean. " Tha cràigean d' an ainm Saigean, a chuir Croitean air sgriob an fhortain, an diiil gu 'n toirtear dheth a phait," fhreagair Coma-co-dhiùbh. "An do bhrist Croitean a bhòid is a ghealladh nach innseadh e do dhuine air bith d'a dheòin mar dh' eirich dha an so? " arsa a' Bhan-righ, agus i a' tionndadh le corruich 'na gnùis ri Saigean. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 211 to the fairies to keep it secret. Punchy promised to do as was requested of him. On that very evening Punchy went to the Willow Brake, expecting to meet one of the fairies who would heal him as Hunchback was healed: but he saw none. Evening after evening he continued going to the same place, until at last he saw a small manikin, sitting at the root of a holly bush, and gazing with a mocking smile on his countenance. " Are you Play of Sunbeam? " said Punchy. " I am not, but I am Never-mind-who, " replied the manikin: "What is your business with Play of Sun- beaiii? " " O, that she will take this hump off me, as she took the hunch off Hunchback," said Punchy. " Will you take me to the place where she dwells?" " I will do that," said Never-mind-who, " but you will get leave to come out of it as you like." " I do not care how I get out, if I get in, and if this ugly hump is taken off me." The little manikin gave a loud laugh, and then went away with Punchy to the Big Fairy Knoll, and took him in, as Hunchback was taken. " Who is this come to us without invitation or tryst?" cried the Queen, looking sternly at Punchy. " It is a toad named Punchy whom Hunchback has sent on a chance journey, in the hope that his hump will be taken off him," replied Never-mind-who. " Did Hunchback break his vow and his promise, that never of his own accord would he tell any one how it fared with him here? " said the Queen, turning towards Punchy with wrath in her countenance. 212 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. " Cha do bhrist; oir cha d' innis e dhomh aon ni gus an do ghuidh is gu 'n do ghrios mise air an toiseach," fhreagair Saigean. "A bheadagain mhi-mhodhail ! gheibh thusa do thoillteanas," ars ise, agus air ball ghlaodh i ris na sithichean eile : " Spàrraibh a' phait air a' chroit, agus bheir an aon sac dhachaidh iad." "A' phait air a' chroit! a' phait air a' chroit!" sgreuch na sithichean uile, agus ghramaich iad an Saigean air a làmhan agus air a chasan, agus thilg iad a sios is a suas, a null is a nail e, gus an do chaill e a aithne gu h-iomlan. An uair a thàinig e g'a dh'ionnsaidh fein, b' ann 'san Doire Sheilich a bha e, a' phait a dhà mheud is a bha i roimhe, agus a chnamhan cho sgith, brùite is gu 'm b' ann air eiginn a b' urrainn e carachadh. Fhuair e air a chasan le moran stri, agus an sin shnàig e dhachaidh; ach gu latha a bhàis cha d' innis e do dhuine ach do Chroitean, mar thachair dha 'san t-Sithean Mhòir. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 213 "No," replied Punchy, "for he told me nothing until I first prayed and entreated him." "You impudent fellow," said she, "you will get your deserts," and immediately she cried to the other fairies : " Throw the hunch on the hump, and the one load will take them home." " The hunch on the hump, the hunch on the hump," screamed all the fairies; and then they laid hold of Punchy by his hands and his feet, and tossed him up and down, to this side and that, till he lost all con- sciousness. When he came to himself, he lay in the Willow Brake, the hump twice its former size, and his bones so tired and bruised that he could scarcely move. With a great effort he got to his feet, and then crept home; but to the day of his death he told no one except Hunch- back what happened to him in the Big Fairy Knoll. A' CHAOINTEACH. Sgeul mu bhean-shithe. Is e Bean-Shithe a bha anns a' Chaointich. Bha i a* leantainn Chlann Mhic Aoidh agus fhineachan eile 'san Roinn Ilich. An uair a bhitheadh bàs a' dol a thach- airt an aon de na fineachan sin, thigeadh i dh' ionnsaidh tigh an duine thinn le tomaig uaine m'a guailnibh, agus bheireadh i seachad rabhadh d'a theaghlach le caoidhearan brònach a thogail taobh a mach an doruis. Cho luath is a chluinneadh càirdean an duine thinn a guth, chailleadh iad dòchas r'a dhol am feobhas. Ciiuala iad a' Chaointeach a' tuireadh, agus bu leòir an dearbhadh sin leò gu'n robh a chrioch aig làimh. Ach sguir a' Chaointeach a thabhairt sanais seachad do mhuinntir na Ranna. Chualadh i mu dheireadh aig tigh 'san àite sin o cheann iomadh bliadhna. Bha 'san am duine tinn air a leabadh bàis agus a chàirdean a' feitheamh air. B'e an geamhradh a bha ann, agus bha an oidhche fliuch, fuar, le uisge agus le gaoith. Sheas i muigh aig dorus an fhuaraidh de'n tigh; agus thog i an sin caoidhearan muladach. Chuala an teaghlach a caoidh ; agus ghabh aon aca a leithid de thruas di, is gu'n deachaidh e mach air dorus an fhasgaidh, agus gu'n d'fhàg e aice seann bhreacan air àite suidhe, a bha aig taobh an doruis. Phiil e stigh an sin, agus ghlaodh e rithe: " Thig, a bhean bhochd, air taobh an fhasgaidh ; agus cuir umad cirb de mo bhreacan." Air ball sguir an tuireadh; agus o sin gu so cha chualadh agus cha'n fhacadh a' Chaointeach 'san Roinn. THE CAOINTEACH. A Banshee Story. The Caointeach was a Banshee. She followed the Clan MacKay and other clans in the Rhinns of Islay. When a death was going to happen in one of these clans, she would CO J to the sick man's house with a green shawl about her shoulders, and give his family warning by raising a sad wail outside the door. As soon as the sick man's friends heard her voice, they lost all hope of his getting better. They had heard the Caointeach lamenting, and that was proof enough to them that his end was at hand. The Caointeach has ceased to give warning to the people of the Rhinns. She was last heard at a house in that district many years ago. A sick man was then on his death-bed, and his friends attending him. It was winter, and the night was wet and cold, with rain and wind. She stood at the wind- ward door of the house; and there she raised a low, melancholy wail. The family heard her mourning; and one of them so pitied her that he went out at the leeward door, and left her an old plaid on a seat at the side of the door. He then returned within, and cried to her: " Come to the sheltered side, poor woman; and cover yourself with a piece of my plaid." In an in- stant the lamenting ceased; and from that time to this the Caointeach has not been seen or heard in the Rhinns. GLAISRIG BHAILE BHEOLAIN AGUS SEALBH- ACH MAC SHEALBHAICH. Bha Maighdean, no Gruagach, a' leantainn teaghlach Bhaile Bheòlain an Liosmor. Bha a' mhaighdean so ag gabhail cùraim mhòir de'n teaglach, agus de gach ni a bhuineadh dhoibh. Ach b' i an fheudail a culaidh chùraim os ceann gach ni eile. Anns a' mhaduinn shaodaicheadh i iad a mach do'n mhachair, agus an uair a thigeadh am feasgar, dh'iomaineadh i dhachaidh iad a ris. Bhitheadh i mar an ceudna *gan leantainn 'nan siùbhal anns an àite-ionaltraidh fad an la; agus ged nach robh i fèin r'a faicinn, bha a guth gu minic r'a chluinntinn 'gan tionndadh o bhruaich na creige, no 'gan ruagadh as na dailthean coirce. Agus b' i an aon duais a bha i ag iarraidh air-son a seirbhise Ian meadair de mhèag fuar air a fhàgail dhi 'san oidhche an uinneig a' bhàthaich. Ach am feadh bha i ag gabhail cijraim shònraichte de theaghlach agus de sprèidh Fhir-a'-bhaile, bha i mar an ceudna ag amharc an dèidh gach teaghlaich agus duine a bha air an fhearann. Air uairean leanadh i iad gu tir-mor, agus chuidicheadh i iad, an uair a chitheadh i iad am feum a cuideachaidh. Ghabh Sealbhach Mac Shealbhaich, duine foghainnt- each, neo-sgàthach, a bha a chòmhnuìdh am Fracarsaig, a bhàta, agus chaidh e leatha thar na Linne Morbhairnich do Ghleann Sannda air-son connaidh. An dèidh dha foghnadh de fhiodh a gheàrradh agus a THE BALIEVEOLAN GLASRIG AND SELVACH MAC KELVIE. A MAIDEN or Gruagach followed the family of Balieveolan in Lismore. This maiden took great in- terest in the family, and in everything belonging to them. But the cattle were the special objects of her care. In the morning she led them forth to the fields, and when evening came she drove them home again. She also followed them in their wanderings over the pasture ground during the day; and though she herself remained invisible, her voice w-as often to be heard as she turned them from the edge of the precipice, or chased them out of the corn fields, and the only reward she asked for her services was a pail-ful of cold whey, left for her at night in the byre window. But while she made the Laird's family and his cattle the special objects of her care, she also took an interest in all the families and individuals on the lands. Sometimes she followed the latter to the mainland, and helped them when she saw them in need of her help. Selvach Mac Kelvie, a strong and fearless man, who lived at Frackersaig, took his boat, and crossed the Sound of Morven to Glensanda for fuel. After cutting down a sufficient quantity of wood and putting 2l8 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. chur anns a' bhàta, phut e i o'n chladach, agus bha e fein a' dol a leum innte, an uair a chuala e air a chùlaibh cailleach bhochd ag iarraidh air a tabhairt a null gu taobh eile na Linne. Ud! Ud! tha fhios gu'n deanadh e sin do bhean bhochd; agus air ball leum a' chailleach air bòrd cho iollagach ri nighinn òig. Shuidh i an sin air tè de na totaibh, agus dh' iarr i air ràmh a shineadh dhi. Cha deanadh e sin: dh' iomaireadh e am bàta leis fein. Ach lean i cho fada air an ràmh a dh' iarraidh is gu'n d'thug e dhi e mu dheireadh. Cho luath is a fhuair i e 'na làmhan, ghlaodh i: " Buille air, a Shealbhaich." Ach ma dhùlanaich ise esan, dhùlan- aich esan ise, ag ràdh : " Buille eile oirre, a chailleach." Agus an sin dh' iomair iad le cheile gu cruaidh, agus chuir iad am bàta 'na still air a slighe. Mar a b' fhaide a bha a' chailleach ag iomram, b' ann a bu làidire a bha i a' fas. Air an làimh eile bha Sealbhach a' dol na bu laige agus na bu laige leis gach buille a bheireadh e. An uair a chunnaic i so, ghlaodh i le guth na bu dàine na air tùs: " Buille air, a Shealbhaich." Sgith is mar bha Sealbhach bochd, bhrosnaich an dara dùlan so e cho mòr is gu'n do fhreagair e le guth cho àrd agus cho dàna r' a guth fein: " Buille eile air a rithist, a sheann chailleach," agus an sin chuir e cho fada thuige e fein is gu'n robh e an ùine ghoirid an impis tuiteam a sios claoidhte air ùrlar a' bhàta. Ach chuidich nàire, gu 'm faigheadh cailleach an làimh-an-uachdair air, e a chumail air fein beagan na b' fhaide, agus an sin fhuair e fuasgladh ; oir an dèidh do'n bhàta an t-aiseag a dheanamh an i'line anabarrach goirid, ràinig i an tèaruinteachd Camus Fhracarsaig. An uair a fhuair Sealbhach am fiodh a mach thubh- airt e gu'n rachadh e do'n tigh a b' fhaigse air-son cuid-eigin a tharruingeadh leis am bàta suas air a' chladach. "Cha ruig thu leas," ars a' chailleach, FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 21^ it in the boat, he shoved the boat off the shore, and was going to spring on board, when he heard behind him a poor old woman asking him to ferry her over to the other side of the Sound. Yes! yes! to be sure he would do that for a poor woman ; and at once she sprang on board as lightly as a young girl. She seated her- self on one of the thwarts, and asked him to hand her one of the oars. No, he would not do that: he would pull the boat himself. But she pressed him so much that he at last gave her the oar. As soon as she got it in her hands, she cried: "A stroke on it, Selvach." But if she challenged him, he challenged her, saying r " Another stroke on her, old woman." And then they both pulled hard, and sent the boat flying on her way. The longer the old woman rowed, the stronger she became. On the other hand, Selvach grew weaker and weaker with every stroke he made. When she noticed this, she cried, in a bolder voice than at first: " A stroke on it, Selvach." Wearied though poor Selvach was, this second challenge so roused him that he replied, in as loud and defiant a voice as her own: "Another stroke on it once again, you old crone," and then he exerted himself so much that he was soon almost ready to sink down exhausted on the floor of the boat. But the disgrace that an old wife should get the upper hand of him helped him to hold his own a little longer, and then relief came; for the boat, after an exceedingly short passage, arrived in safety at Frackersaig Bay. When Selvach got the wood out, he said that he would go to the nearest house for somebody to help him to haul the boat up on the beach. " You need not," said the old woman, " if you pull your own side^ 220 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. " ma tharruingeas tusa do thaobh fèin, tarruingidh mise an taobh eile." Fhuair e cheana a leithid de dhearbh- adh air a neart is nach do smuaintich e air teagamh a chur ann a nis. Le sin rug iad le cheile air a' bhàta, agus le aon sgriob fhada tharruing iad i o oir an uisge suas air an fheur ghorm. An sin chaidh a' chailleach as an t-sealladh ;, agus dh'aithnich Sealbhach gu'm b' i Maighdean Bhaile Bheòlain a bha innte. Greis an dèidh sin air do bhanaraich iir mèag goileach fhàgail 'san oidhche am meadar na Maighdinn, dh' fhàg i an t-àite le grain, agus cha'n fhacas i o sin anns a' choimhearsnachd. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LOEIE. 221 I will pull the Other." He had already sufficient proof of her strength not to think of calling it in question now. So they both laid hold of the boat, and with one long pull drew her up from the water edge to the green grass. The old woman then vanished; and Selvach understood that she was the Balieveolan Maiden. Sometime after that, because a new dairy-maid had left boiling -hot whey one evening in the Maiden's pail, she left the place in disgust, and since then has never been seen in the neighbourhood. MAIGHDEAN GHLINN - FAOCHAIN. Bu Mhaighdean Nic Gille Mhicheil a bha a' leantainn Caimbeulaich Ghlinn - Faochain, làimh ris an Oban Latharnach. Bha i ag amharc as dèidh seirbhisich an tighe, agus 'gan smachdachadh na'n dearmadadh iad an obair a dheanamh, no na'n deanadh iad i gu neo- sgoinneil. Uair-eigin a fhuair searbhanta, is i air ùr-thighinn, earail o Fhear Ghlinn-Faochain an t-uisge thabhairt a stigh roimh an dorchadh, air eagal gu'm bitheadh Nic Gille Mhicheil diombach dhith thubhairt i: " Ma thig i tarsuinn ormsa, cuiridh mi car 'na h-amhaich dhi." Ged nach robh a' Mhaighdean r'a faicinn, bha i an làthair 'san am, agus chuala i ciod a bhagair an t-searbhanta a dheanamh oirre. Goirid an dèidh sin, air do'n t-searbhanta dol do'n tobar, thill i stigh le a ceann air a thionndadh null r'a ciil, gus an robh a h-aghaidh ag amharc thar a gualainn deise. An uair a dh' fheòraicheadh dhith an t-aobhar, is e na b' urrainn i a ràdh, gu'n d'fhuair i o làimh 'san dorcha sgleog 'san lethcheann chli a chuir a' gheoic ud oirre. Cho luath is a chuala Glean n - Faochain ciod a rinneadh oirre, thug e mach i air làimh, agus choisich e leatha timchioll an tighe, a labhairt ris a' Mhaighdinn 'san dorcha, agus ag ràdh rithe: " a Nic Gille Mhicheil, a thruaghain, nach cuir thu, air mo bhuidheachas fein, ceann na searbhanta mar bha e roimhe? " An ceann tacain fhuair an t-searbhanta sgleog eile, air an uair so THE GLEN-FAOCHAN MAIDEN. Nic GiLMiCHAEL was a Maiden who followed the Camp- bells of Glen-Faochan, near Oban. She looked after the household servants, and punished them if they neglected to do their work, or did it in a slovenly manner. Once a newly-arrived servant, on being warned by the Laird to take in the water before dark, lest Nic Gilmichael should be displeased with her, said: " If she comes across me, I'll twist her neck for her." The Maiden, though unseen, was then present, and heard what the servant threatened to do to her. Shortly after that, the servant, having gone to the well, came back to the house with her head turned round, until her face overlooked her right shoulder. Being asked the cause, she could only say that she got on the left cheek a slap from a hand in the dark, which threw her head into its new position. As soon as the Laird heard what had been done to her, he led her out by the hand and walked with her round the house, addressing the Maiden in the dark, and saying to her: "Nic Gilmichael, poor body, will you not, to oblige me, put the servant's head as it was before?" After a while the servant got another slap, 224 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 'san lethcheann dheas. Chuir am buille a ceann air ais teann air mar bha e an toiseach. Dh'fiiuirich e an sin 'na shuidheachadh mu dheireadh, mar rabhadh do dhaoine eile an aghaidh dioghaltas a bhagradh air Nic Gille Mhicheil. An uair a chaidh oighreachd Ghlinn-Faochain a reic, chualas i fad na h-oidhche ag osnaich is ag caoineadh am measg nan craobh a bha timchioll an tighe. Ach an deidh sin cha chualas is cha'n fhacas i, aon chuid mu'n tigh, no an àite air bith eile 's a' Ghleann. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 235 this time on the right cheek. The blow put her head back nearly to its first position. There it remained in its final position as a warning to others not to threaten vengeance on Nic Gilmichael. When the estate of Glen-Faochan was sold, she was heard all night sobbing and crying among the trees about the house. But after that she was neither seen nor heard at the house, or anywhere else in the Glen. GILLECRIOSD TAILLEAR, AGUS A' CHAILLEACH. B' Apunnach Gillecriosd tàillear. Bhitheadh e a" dol o thigh gu tigh a' deanamh aodaich; agus an uair a theiiigeadh obair air 'san Apuinn rachadh e thar na Linne do Cheann - ghearrloch agus do'n Mhorbhairne air-son tuillidh. Uair a bha e fèin is a ghille a' dol thar a' mhonaidh eadar an da àite sin, thuit an oidhche orra aig dol-a-stigh a' Ghlinne Ghil. Cha deachaidh iad air an aghaidh ach goirid anns a' Ghleann an uair a chunnaic iad solus rompa, agus rinn iad direach air. Ràinig iad am bothan-àiridhe, as an d'thàinig an solus, agus rinn a' bhanarach agus am buachaille, a bha an cois a' chruidh, am beatha. Bha iad le chèile sgìlh agus fliuch, agus le sin ghabh iad gu toileach ris a' chuireadh a thugadh dhoibh. Chaidh iad a stigh, agus shuidh iad sios ri taobh teine mor fhalaisge, a bha air meadhon an ùrlair. Roimh am dhol-a-laighe, thàinig Cailleach mhor, fhiadhaich a dh'ionnsaidh an doruis, agus dh'iarr i cead dol a stigh, agus i fein a thiormachadh. Mar bha am mi-fhortan 'san dan, thubhairt Gillecriosd rithe tighinn air a h-aghaidh, agus suidhe còmhla riu mu'n teine. Cha d'fheith i an ath chuireadh, ach thàinig i, agus shuidh i aig an teine, agus thòisich i ri i fein a thiormachadh. An ceann tacain dh'fhàs i neo-shocrach, a' tionndadh taoibh an deidh taoibh ris an teine; agus mar bha i a' tiormachadh, bha i ag at agus ag at, agus a' fas dàna agus ladarna 'na cainnt. Thuit do GILCHRIST, THE TAILOR, AND THE HAG. Gilchrist, the tailor, was an Appin man. He used to go from house to house making clothes; and when em- ployment failed him in Appin, he would cross Loch Linnhe to Kingairloch and Morven for more work. Once he and his man were crossing the moor between these two places, when night overtook them at the en- trance of the White Glen. They had only proceeded a short distance in the Glen, when they saw a light before them, and they made straight for it. They reached the Shelling bothy whence the light came, and the milkmaid and the herd, who were attending the cattle, made them welcome. They were both wearied and wet, and, therefore, they readily accepted the invitation which was given them. They went in, and sat down before a large lire of burnt heather, which was on the middle of the floor. Before bed time a tall, wild-looking hag came to the door, and asked leave to enter and dry herself. As ill luck would have it, Gilchrist told her to come forward and sit with them round the fire. She waited not for a second invitation, but came and sat at the fire, and began to dry herself. In a while she became restless, turning one side after another to the fire; and as she dried, she swelled and swelled, and grew bold and rude in her talk. Gilchrist happened to draw his snufT-horn 228 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Ghillecriosd an adharc shnaoisein aige a tharruing as a phòca, agus snaoisean a ghabhail. Thug ise so fa-near, agus dh'iarr i air an adharc a shineadh dhise. Fhreagair e nach robh e riamh 'na chleachdadh aige a tabhairt d'a leithidse; ach na'n toilicheadh i, gu'n tugadh e dhi deannag air bàrr na biodaig. Chuir e an sin beagan air ceann a mach na biodaig, agus shin e null dhi e. Ach mar sin cha ghabhadh i e; agus a chionn nach faigheadh i e mar bha i ag iarraidh, chaidh i ann am feirg mhoir agus ann an droch cainnt. Dh' eirich a' bhanarach agus am buachaille agus gille an tàilleir, agus chaidh iad taobh eile a' chailbhe, a bha a' roinn a' bhothain 'na dha chearn. Dh'èirich a' Chailleach an sin, agus am badaibh an tàilleir bhitheadh i. Ach thug e dhi sàthadh no dithis leis a' bhiodaig, a thug oirre tilleadh r'a h-àite suidhe aig taobh an teine. An ceann tacain dh' eirich i an dara uair, agus chaidh i, mar shaoil esan, a mach. Ach cha robh i fada air falbh gus an cuala e, an ceann eile a' bhothain, ròcail grocaich mar aig duine 'ga thachdadh. Ghreas e sios, agus CO a bha roimhe ach a' Chailleach, agus i ag cur ri tachdadh na banaraich. Thug e stobadh eile de'n bhiodaig dhi, agus dh'iomain e roimhe i do'n cheann 'san robh an teine. Las a' Chailleach nis le corruich mhoir, agus b' ann air èiginn a b' urrainn e a cumail dheth. Sheas i m'a choinneamh a' feitheamh cothruim air a ghlacadh ; agus cha do sguir i stri ris gus an robh bristeadh an latha am fagus. An sin chaidh i mach,. agus ghlaodh i àirde a cinn air Gormla Mhoir o'n Mhaigh an Lochabar, agus air Nighean Fhir Leirg na h-Uinnsinn an Cnapadal. Ach gu fortanach do Ghillecriosd tàillear, ghoir an coileach dubh air bruach os a ceann, agus b' èiginn di an rathad a Sfhabhail. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 229 from his pocket, and take a pinch of snuff. She noticed this, and asked him to hand her the horn. He replied that he was never in the habit of giving his horn to the like of her; but that, if she wished, he would give her a pinch on the point of his dirk. He then placed a little on the outward end of his dirk, and reached it across to her. But she would not take it in that way; and as she would not get it the way she was asking, she flew into a great passion and abusive language. The milkmaid, the herd boy, and the tailor's man lose up, and went to the other side of the partition, which divided the bothy into two apartments. The hag then rose, and at the tailor she would be. But he gave her a stab or two with his dirk, which made her return to her seat beside the fire. After a while she got up the second time, and went, as the tailor thought, out of the bothy. She was not, however, long gone until he heard in the other end of the bothy a gurgling sound like that of a person being choked. He hastened down, and who was before him but the hag busy choking the milkmaid. He gave her another thrust with the dirk, and drove her before him to the end where the fire was. She now blazed into a great passion, and it was with difficulty he was able to keep her off. She stood opposite him waiting an op- portunity of seizing him ; and she ceased not to strive with him till daybreak was at hand. Then she went out, and cried as loud as she could to Gormla Mhor of Moy, in Lochaber, and to the daughter of the Laird of Ashfield, in Knapdale. But luckily for Gilchrist, the tailor, the black cock now crew on the brae above her, and she had to take the road. [SEALGAIR SHRATH EIRINN IS A' CHAILLEACH.] Bha sealgair ainmeil a chòmhnuidh an Srath Eirinn air taobh deas Loch Nis anns na làithibh a dh'fhalbh. An uair a thàinig am na seilge, chaidh e le a dhà chù do'n Chrò-Chlach an ceann shuas a' Glinne; agus an deidh dha an la a chur seachad a' leantuinn an fhèidh, thog e air gu bothan - àiridhe a chaitheamh na h - oidhche. Ràinig e am bothan 'san fheasgar, las e teine, agus chuir e àird air an t-suipeir. An deidh dha an t-suipeir a ghabhail agus tuilleadh connaidh a chur air an teine, thilg se e fein air dijn luachrach an oisinn a' bhothain. Lean a dha chii e, agus laigh iad air a chiilaibh. An ùine ghoirid thàinig cearc a stigh, agus leig i aon taobh foipe air He an teinntein, agus chum i an taobh eile ris an teine. Cha robh i fada 'san t-suidheachadh sin an uair a thòisich i ri at agus ri at. An ceann tacain dh* èirich i, agus thionndaidh i an taobh a bha foipe ris an teine; agus ma dh' at i roimhe, dh' at i nis a sheachd uibhir. Mu dheireadh dh'fhàs i 'na boirionn- ach, agus sheas i suas air an ùrlar mu choinneamh an t-sealgair. Cho luath is a thug na coin an aire dhi, dh' eirich gart orra, agus leum iad a null air an ùrlar gu bhi aice. " Caisg do choin," ars a' chailleach. " Cha'n urrainn mi," fhreagair an sealgair. Spion i riobag as a fait, agus an uair a bha i a' slneadh na riobaige dha, thubhairt i: " Ceangail le sin iad.** Ghabh esan air na coin a cheangal leis an riobaig, ach an àite na riobaige chuir e orra aon d'a ghartain fein. THE STRATH DEARN HUNTER AND THE WITCH. In days gone by, a famous hunter dwelt in Strath Dearn, on the south side of Loch Ness. When the time of hunting arrived, he went with his two dogs to Crò- Clach, in the upper end of the Glen ; and, after he had passed the day pursuing the deer, he betook himself to a shieling bothy to spend the night. He reached the bothy in the evening; and, after kindling a fire, prepared supper. When he had taken supper and placed more fuel on the fire, he threw himself on a heap of rushes in a corner of the bothy. His two dogs followed him, and laid themselves down at his back. In a short time a hen entered and rested herself on one side on the hearth, while she kept the other side to the fire. She was not long in that position when she began to swell and to swell. In a while she rose, and turned the side under her to the fire ; and if she swelled before, she now swelled seven times more. At last she became a woman, and stood up on the floor before the hunter. As soon as the dogs noticed her they assumed an angry look, and sprang over on the floor to be at her. " Keep back thy dogs," said the carlin. " I cannot," answered the hunter. She pulled a hair from her head, and when she was reaching the hair to him, she said: " Tie them with that." He pretended that he was tying the dogs with the hair, but he put one of his own garters on them instead. 232 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Cho luath is a shaoil a' chailleach gu'n robh na coin ceangailte, leum i null do'n oisinn, agus shàsnaich i anns an t-sealgair. Leum na coin an sin gu bhi an greim innte-se. ** Teannaich, a riobag I " ars ise an so. " Lasaich, a ghartain ! " fhreagair esan. Mu dheireadh fhuair na coin fa sgaoil, agus shàsnaich iad anns a' chailleach. An so leig i as an sealgair, agus chaidh i an comhair a ciiil a mach an dorus. Lean na coin i, gus an do chuir iad i ri leathad bruaich a bha mu choinneamh an doruis. An iiair a ràinig iad a bhun, thòisich strl chruaidh eadar iad fèin agus ise, a mhair ùine fhada. Ach thàinig crìoch air a' chath mu dheireadh. Thill na coin r'am maighstir air an loireadh agus air am beubanachadh gu mòr. Agus dh' fhalbh a' chailleach ag ràdh : " Na 'n robh tosg a' choin òig anns an t-seann chù, no tiir an t-seann choin anns a' chù òg, cha d' fhuair mise as orra." Air an ath latha chaidh an sealgair dhachaidh; agus an uair a ràinig e an tigh, choinnich a bhean e a' del an cabhaig gu tigh ban-choimhearsnaich a bha an cràdh mòr agus a reir coltais air beul bàis. Thug e oirre itilleadh dhachaidh ; agus an dèidh dha greim bidh fhaotainn, chaidh e fein gu tigh na mnatha tinne. An uair a chuala i gu 'n robh e a' tighinn, ghlaodh i riusan a bha stigh leatha, an dorus a dhruideadh agus a chrannadh. Rinn iad mar dh' iarr i orra. Ach cho luath is a thàinig an sealgair dKith gu leòir, chuir e an dorus roimhe, agus chaidh e stigh. Chaidh e direach dh' ionnsaidh na leapa, agus thilg e an t-aodach sics bhàrr uchd na mnatha. Bha sealladh deistinneach air a leigeil ris da nis: bha da chlch na mnatha air an reubadh as an àite. Thuig e an t-aobhar. B' ise a choinnich e fein agus a choin 's a' bhothan-àiridhe air an oidhche chaidh seachad; agus uime sin, tharruing e a chlaidheamh, agus chuir e gu bàs i mar bhuitsich. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 233 As soon as the carlin thought that the dogs were tied, she sprang over to the corner, and laid hold of the hunter. The dogs then sprang to seize her: " Tighten hair," she now said. "Slacken garter," he replied. At last the dogs got loose, and fastened on the hag. She now let the hunter go, and went back-foremost out at the door. The dogs followed her until they drove her down the slope of a brae which was before the door. When they arrived at its foot, there began between them and her a hard fight which lasted a long time. But the fight came to an end at last. The dogs returned to their master, much bemired and mangled, and the carlin went away, saying: " If the young dog's tusk had been in the old dog's mouth, or the old dog's sense in the young dog's head, I would not have escaped from them." Next day the hunter went home; and when he ar- rived at the house, he met his wife going in a hurry to the house of a neighbour, who was in great pain, and, to all appearance, at the point of death. He pre- vailed on her to return home; and after taking a bite of food, he himself went to the sick woman's house. When she heard that he was coming, she cried to those with her in the house to shut and bar the door. They did as she told them. But as soon as the hunter came near enough, he drove the door in before him, and entered. He went straight to the bed and threw the clothes down off the woman's breast. A horrible sight was now revealed to him : the breasts of the woman were torn from their places. He understood the cause. She it was who last night met him and his dogs in the shieling bothy; and so he drew his sword and put her to death as a witch. SGEOIL MU GHLAISTIGEAN. Bha Domhnull Maclain 'na àireach aig tuath Achadh- an-todhair an Lochabar. An uair a thàinig an samhradh, chaidh e le spreidh a' bhaile chum àiridh na Beinne Brice air taobh tuath an Uisge Dhuibh. Air la àraidh, is e 'na shuidhe air an Ion an cois na Beinne, agus an crodh 'nan laighe m'a thimchioll, chuala e guth caol ann fad as; agus ghrad dh' amhairc e an taobh o 'n d'thàinig e. Ciod a chunnaic e an sin, a' tighinn le luathas mor, agus a' deanamh direach air an aite 'san robh e 'na shuidhe, ach Glaistig. Gun dàil tiota tharruing e as a rathad, agus dh' fheuch e ri falach a dheanamh air fein ann an torn roideagaich. Ach ma dh' fheuch, cha b' ann gun fhaireachadh dhise. Thionndaidh i an taobh a ghabh e, agus ann am priobadh .na siila bha i 'na seasamh r'a thaobh. Thòisich i an sin ri leum a null is a nail thar a chuirp, a' bualadh a basan, agus ag ràdh nam briathar a leanas : — Am faic sibh am bramachan roidein 'Na laighe am measg nam bo? Bhuaileadh e buille eadar da bhuille Is buille eadar da dhòrn, 'San Ion eadar da dhoire 'San doire eadar da Ion ? An uair a dh' fhàs i sglth de'n obair sin, dh'fhalbh i le cruinn-leum uallach a' seinn na luinneig so: Is mire mi na'm fior-eun mor Is mire mi na'm fior-eun òg , Is mire mi na laogh da bhò, Is mire mi na meann an crò; TALES ABOUT GLASTIGS. Donald MacIan was cow-herd with the tenantry of Achantore in Lochaber. When summer came round, he went with the cattle on the farm to the summer pas- tures of Ben Breck, on the north side of the Blackwater. One day, as he sat on the meadow at the foot of the Ben, and the cattle were lying round about him, he heard a small voice far away ; and immediately he looked in the direction whence it came. What did he behold, com- ing with great speed and making straight for the place where he was sitting, but a Glastig? Without a moment's delay, he drew out of her way and tried to hide himself in a bush of bog-myrtle. But if he did, it was not without being observed by her. She turned the way he went, and, in the twinkling of an eye, was standing by his side. She then began to leap forward and back again over his body, clapping her hands, and repeating the following words: — " Do you see the wee colt of the sweet gale Lying in the midst of the kine? A stroke he would strike between two strokes, And a stroke between two blows, In the meadow between two groves, In the grove between two meadows." When she grew tired of that work, she went away with a light, playful spring, singing the following lilt: — " Friskier am I than the great eagle, Friskier am I than the young eagle, Friskier am I than the calf of two cows, Friskier am I than a kid in a fold; *' 236 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. agus a' siubhal le leithid de luathas is nach b' urrainn Domhnull buachaille bochd, is e leth-mharbh leis an eagal, a casan fhaicinn ag imeachd air an talamh. Chum i air aig an ruith so ag cromadh agus a' spionadh bad feòir le a fiaclan as an talamh gus an deachaidh i as an t-sealladh. Chaidh an Domhnull Mac Iain ceudna samhradh eile do'n Bheinn Bhric le crodh Achadh-an-todhair. Ràinig e am bothan-àiridhe aig Ruighe na Cloiche làimh ri Uisge Chiarainn mu thràth feasgair. Air an rathad thrus e ultach connaidh, agus thug e leis e do'n bhothan. Chuir e an connadh an òrdugh air lie an teinntein, ghlac e an asuin-theine, agus an deidh dha teine bhualadh, thòisich e air a' chonnadh a lasadh. Am meadhon na h-oibre so, bha leis gu'n cuala e glaodh coimheach, air tùs fad air falbh, agus goirid an deidh sin, moran na b' fhaigse. Mu dheireadh chuala e an guth ceudna air taobh muigh an tighe ag radh: "Heich: Ho! Thall ! An d' fhalbh am fear so thall fhathast." Mu 'n gann a thionndaidh e a shùil an rathad a thàinig an guth, dh' fhosgall an dorus agus sheas Glaistig m'a choinneamh anns an fhosgladh. Ghlaodh i mach: "A Dhomhnuill Mhiclain, bha mi air an Uiriallaich an uair a chuir thu a' cheud srad 'san spong, agus an Coire na Snaige an uair a ghabh an sop teine, agus tha mi an so a nis an uair a tha an connadh a' tòiseachadh air gabhail." " Is math a choisich thu, a bheathaich bhochd," arsa Domhnull Maclain. Thug i an so ionnsaidh air tighinn a stigh ; ach ma thug, thug Deargan, cij a' bhuachaille, ionnsaidh oirre- se. " Caisg Deargan, a Dhomhnuill Mhiclain," ars i. Ghabh Domhnull Maclain air an cii a chasg, ach nach b' urrainn e. " Ceangail do chij, a Dhomhnuill Mhic- lain," ars i an sin. " Cha'n 'eil rud agam leis an FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 237 and going with such speed that poor Donald, the herd, who was half dead with fear, could not see her feet moving on the ground. She kept on at this rate, stoop- ing and pulling with her teeth tufts of grass from the earth, until she went out of sight. The same Donald Maclan went with the Achantore cattle to Ben Breck another summer. He reached the shelling bothy at Ruighe - na-cloiche, beside Ciaran Water, about evening. On the way he gathered an armful of fuel and took it with him to the bothy. He set the fuel in order on the hearth-stone, seized the fire implements, and, after striking fire, began to kindle the fuel. In the midst of this work he thought he heard a strange cry, far off at first, and soon after much nearer. At length he heard the same voice outside the house, saying : *' Heigh! Ho! Hal! Has this man over the way left yet ? " Scarcely had he turned his eye the way the voice came, when the door opened, and a Glastig stood before him in the opening. She cried aloud: " Donald Maclan, I was on the Uralich when you put the first spark in the tinder, and in the Woodpecker's Corrie when the wisp took fire ; and here I am now as the fuel is beginning to kindle." " Thou hast walked well, poor creature," said Donald Maclan. She now attempted to come in; but if she did, Dergan, the herd's dog, attacked her. " Stop Dergan, Donald Maclan," said she. Donald Maclan pretended to stop the dog, but that he could not. " Tie thy dog, Donald Maclan," said she then. " I have nothing to tie him 238 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. ceangail mi e," fhreagair am buachaille. Spion i ròineag liath as a ceann, agus shin i dha i, ag ràdh : *' Ceangail le so e." Ghabh am buachaille air an ni a dh' iarradh air a dheanamh, ach chuir e a ghartan fèin air a' chij an àite ròineag na Glaistige. Cho luath is a shaoil ise gu'n robh an cù ceangailte, leum i am bad a' bhuachaille; ach ma leum, thug Deargan leum 'na bad-sa. Ghlaodh i an sin. " Tachd is teannaich, a ròineag. Tachd is teannaich, a ròineag." Ach thilg am buachaille an ròineag air an teine, agus chnac agus chnac i gus an do leum i mach air mullach a' bhothain. Cha bu luaithe bha sin seachad na fhuair an CÙ as, agus a chaidh e an sàs anns a' Ghlaistig. Ghlaodh i àirde a cinn : " Thoir dhiom do chii a Dhomhnuill Mhiclain, agus cha chuir mi tuilleadh dragha ort.' Rinn am buachaille mar dh' iarr i air, agus an sin thubhairt i ris: " Rach do'n Bheinn Bhric moch am màireach, a Dhomhnuill Mhiclain, agus gheibh thu an t-Agh Ban a tha thu a' sealg o cheann iomadh la, ach nach d' fhuair thu fhathast." An dèidh dhi so a ràdh, thug i an dorus oirre. Moch air an ath la thug am buachaille leis a bhogha is a shaighdean, agus chaidh e do'n Bheinn Bhric. An uair a ràinig e a' Bheinn, chunnaic e a' Ghlaistig a' tighinn 'na choinneamh le greigh fhiadh roimpe, agus an t-Agh Ban air an ceann. Ghabh e cuimse air an Agh, agus leig e as an t-saighead. Ach mu'n d'fhàg an t-saighead glaic an iubhair, chuala e a' Ghlaistig ag glaodhaich le guth nimheil : " Sàth 'na ghoile, a shaighead ! Sàth 'na ghoile! " Shàth an t-saighead an goile an Aighe Bhàin, agus fhuair Domhnull Maclain € dhachaidh leis, mar ghealladh dha. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 239 with," answered the herd. She pulled a grey hair out of her head, and handed it to him, saying: "Tie him with that." The herd pretended to do what he was told, but put his own garter on the dog instead of the Glastig's hair. As soon as she thought that the dog was tied, she flew at the herd; but if she did, Dergan flew at her. She then cried: "Tighten and choke, hair! Tighten and choke, hair! " But the herd threw the hair in the fire, and it crackled and crackled until it flew out through the roof of the bothy. No sooner was that over than the dog got loose, and fastened on the Glast'g. She cried at the pitch of her voice: " Take the dog off me, Donald Maclan, and I will give thee no more trouble." The herd did as she told him, and then she said to him: "Go to Ben Breck early to-morrow, Donald Maclan, and thou wilt find the White Hind which thou hast been hunting for many a day, but which thou hast not yet caught." After she had said this, she made for the door. Early next day the herd took with him his bow and arrows and went to Ben Breck. When he reached the Ben, he saw the Glastig coming to meet him, with a herd of deer before her, and the White Hind at their head. He took aim at the Hind, and let go the arrow. But before the arrow left the bend of the yew, he heard the Glastig crying, in a spiteful tone: "Stick in the stomach, arrow. Stick in the stomach." The arrow did stick in the White Hind's stomach, and Donald Maclan got it home with him, as was promised him. CRONAN GLAISTIG NA BEINNE BRICE. Is e so an Crònan a bhitheadh Glaistig na Beinne Brice a' seinn d'a h-èildean am feadh a bhiodh i 'gan iomain roimpe air an t-sliabh : — Cailleach Beinne Bric, horo ! Brie horo ! Bric horo ! Cailleach Beinne Bric, horo: Cailleach mhòr an fhuarain àird Cha leiginn mo bhuidheann fhiadh Bhuidheann fhiadh, bhuidheann fhiadh, Cha leiginn mo bhuidheann fhiadh A dh' iarraidh shlige duibh' a 'n tràigh, Gu 'm b' annsa leò biolair fhuar, Biolair fhuar, biolair fhuar, Gu'm b' annsa leò biolair fhuar, A bhiodh an cois an fhuarain aird. THE CROON OF THE GLAISTIG OF BEN BRECK. This is the Croon which the Glastig of Ben Breck used to sing to her hinds while she was driving them before her on the mountain side: — Lady of Ben Breck, Horo! Breck, horo ! Breck, horo ! Lady of Ben Breck, horo ! Lady of the fountain high. I ne'er would let my troop of deer, Troop of deer, troop of deer; I ne'er would let my troop of deer, A-gathering shellfish to the tide. Better liked they cooling cress, Cooling cress, cooling cress; Better liked they cooling cress, That grows beside the fountain high. [AN DA BHRATHAIR A BHA AN ODHANAICH AGUS GLAISTIG NA BEINNE BRICE.] Bha uair-eigin an Odhanaich da bhràthair a bha anabarrach deidheil air seilg agus air iasgach. An am an t-samhraidh agus an fhogharaidh b' àbhaist dhaibh dol do'n Mhonadh Dhubh, agus re na h-ijine a bhith- eadh iad an sin» ghabhadh iad fasgadh ann am bothan- àiridhe Lagan Odhar a' Chàthair Aig sail Beinne Bhric. An so bhitheadh a' Ghlaistig a' tadhal orra gus an d'fhàs i fein agus iadsan cho eòlach air a cheile is ged robh iad 'nan coimhearsnaich riamh. Ach cha robh tlachd air bith aig na sealgairibh 'na cuideachd, oir bha i ciio draghail is gu'm b' eiginn daibh a bhi a ghnàth air an earalas 'na h-aghaidh. Bha fear de na bràithribh, air an robh mar ainm Gilleasbuig, foidhidneach rithe; ach cha robh am fear eile ris an abradh iad Raonull. Cha robh Gilleasbuig toilichte d'a bhràthair air-son a ghiùlain ; oir bha eagal air gu'm brosnaicheadh e an trusdar caillich gu dioghaltas a dheanamh orra. Le sin, an uair a chasadh a bhràthair oirre le a bhiodaig, agus a ghlaodhadh i : " Caisg Raonull, a Lasbaig," theireadh Lasbaig le spraic: " Nach leig thu leis a' bheathaich bhochd." An sin thionndaidheadh i air fein, oir cha b' urrainn di fuireachd sàmhach tiota, agus dh' iarradh i air gradan, le run a ghlacadh air làimh an uair a bhitheadh e a' sineadh dhi a' ghradain, agus a thoirt THE ONICH BROTHERS AND THE GLAISTIG OF BEN BRECK. There once lived in Onich two brothers who were ex- ceedingly fond of hunting and fishing. In summer time and harvest, they used to go to the Black Mount, and while they stayed there, they took shelter in the shieling-bothy of The Dun Valley of the Moss At the heel of Ben Breck. Here the Glastig used to visit them, until she and they grew as well acquainted with each other as though they had been always neighbours. But the hunters had no pleasure in her company, for she was so trouble- some that they were obliged to be always on their guard against her. One of the brothers, named Gillesbick, was patient with her; but the other, whose name was Ronald, was not. Gillesbick was displeased with his brother for his conduct, because he was afraid of provoking the nasty hag to be revenged on them. So, when his brother would turn against her with his dirk, and she would cry: "Stop Ronald, Lasbick," Lasbick would angrily say: " Won't you let the poor creature alone? " Then she would turn on himself, for she could not keep a moment quiet, and ask of him for snuff, with the in- tention of seizing his hand when reaching it to her. 244 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. air falbh leatha. Ach chuireadh esan an gradan air bàrr na biodaige, agus chumadh e rithe e air an dòigh sin. An sin lùbadh i a gàirdean, agus thionndaidheadh t ceann a h-uillne ris, agus theireadh i: "Cuir air a so e, a Lasbaig ! " Ach bha fios aig Lasbaig gu'm b' e aobhar an iarrtais so greim fhaotainn an toiseach air cois na biodaige, agus a ris air fein. Chuireadh so e air a fhaicill roimpe, air chor is gu'n robh e 'ga glèidheadh dheth le bàrr na biodaige. Air la sònraichte chuir i le a conas a leithid de fheirg air Raonull is gu'n do leig e leis an abhag dol an sàs innte. Ghlaodh Gilleasbuig ris an cù a chasg agus e leigeil leatha. Thug Raonull cluas bhodhar dha so; agus an àite na h-abhaige a chasg, is ann a stuig e innte an cij glas mar an ceudna. Las so suas a corraich gu mòr. Thug i aon siiil ghruamach fhiar air, agus thubhairt i ris mu 'n d' fhalbh i: " Theagamh gu'n diol mise so fhathast ortsa, a fhleasgaich." An deidh dhi falbh, thubhairt Gilleasbuig r' a bhràthair: " Is olc a rinn thu. Tha eagal orm gu'n dean an aigeannach ud cron oirnn fhathast." Ach fhreagair a bhràthair nach b' eagal daibh cho fhada is a bhitheadh an cù glas agus an abhag aca. An ath oidhche, mu am dol a laighe, chuala iad guth caol an toiseach mar gu'm bitheadh e fada as, agus goirid an deidh sin, mar gu'm bitheadh e na bu teinne dhaibh. Bha an guth a' tighinn, agus a' tighinn le luathas mor. Mu dheireadh, ghlaodh Gilleasbuig ri Raonull: "Is i a' Ghlaistig a tha ann ! Glac do bhiodag gu h-ealamh, agus bi deas air a son, an uair a thig i." Tharruing Raonull a bhiodag, agus leum an cij glas a suas r' a thaobh, agus gart uamhasach air. Stuig e an sin an CIJ agus an abhag, agus air ball ghabh iad a mach le deann an còmhdhail na Glaistige. Dh' fhan an da bhràthair a stigh anns a' bhothan FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 245 and of carrying him off with her. But he would put the snufif on the point of the dirk, and present it to her in that way. Then she would bend her arm, and turn the point of her elbow towards him, and say: " Put it on this, Lasbick." But Lasbick knew that the object of this request was to get a hold, first of the handle of the dirk, and then of himself. This put him on his guard against her, so that he kept her off with the point of the dirk. On a certain day she, by her teasing, put Ronald in such a passion that he suffered the terrier to attack her. Gillesbick cried to him to stop the dog and let her alone. Ronald turned a deaf ear to this; and instead of stopping the terrier he incited the grey hound also to attack her. This greatly kindled her wrath. She gave him one stern look askance, and before going off said: " Perhaps I'll pay thee back for this yet, my lad." After she had gone, Gillesbick said to his brother: " 111 hast thou done. I fear that virago will do us harm yet." But his brother replied that there was no fear of them as long as they would have the grey hound and the terrier. Next night at bed time they heard a small voice, at first as if it were far away, and shortly afterwards as if it were nearer them. The voice was coming nearer and nearer, and that with great speed. At length Gillesbick cried to Ronald: "It is the Glastig! Take hold of thy dirk quickly, and be ready for her when she arrives." Ronald drew his dirk; and the grey hound, with an angry look, sprang up at his side. He then urged the dog and the terrier on, and they at once made their way out with a rush to meet the Glastig. The two brothers stayed in the bothy listening to 246 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. ag eisdeachd ciod a thachradh. Cha robh iad ach goirid a' feitheamh gus an cuala iad a* ghairm ghallain a thòisich a mach. Lean a' chaithream so ùine fhada mu'n dorus, ach uidh air n-uidh chaidh i na b' fhaide air falbh o'n tigh. Mu dheireadh aig tionndadh na h-oidhche gu la, sguir an cath agus thill na coin air an ais do 'n bhothan. Thainig an cii mòr an toiseach gun air ach bad an sud agus an so de fhionnadh; agus goirid 'na dhèidh thainig an abhag cho lorn ri cearc air a h-ùr spìonadh. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 247 hear what should happen. They had not been long waiting until they heard the loud barking which began outside. This noise continued long about the door, but gradually it went further away from the house. At last when night began to turn to day, the fight ceased and the dogs returned to the bothy. The big dog came first with only a tuft of hair here and there on his body; and shortly after him came the terrier as bare as a newly plucked hen. AN SEALGAIR AGUS GLAISTIG NA BEINNE BRICE. Bha sealgair latha a' tilleadh o'n Bheinn Bhric, agus an uair a ràinig e bun na beinne, bha leis gu'n cuala e fuaim coltach ri cnacail da chloiche 'gam bualadh ri chèile, no ri greadhnaich adhaircean an daimh, an uair a bhitheas e 'gan tachas ri creig. Chum e air a cheum gus an d'thàinig e an sealladh cloiche moire, a bha 'na laighe ri taobh an rathaid, agus an sin chunnaic e coltas boirionnaich 'na gurrach aig bun na cloiche, le tonnaig uaine m'a guailnibh, agus 'na lamhan da lurgainn fheidh, a bha i a' bualadh gun sgur r'a cheile. Ged thuig e gu'm bi a' Ghlaistig a bha innte, ghabh e de dhànachd a ràdh rithe: " Gu de a tha thu a' deanamh an sin, a bhean bhochd? " Ach b' e an aon fhreagairt a fhuair e: "O 'n loisgeadh a' choille, o'n loisgeadh a' choille; " agus chum i air a' cheileir so cho fhada is a bha e an astar cluinntinn dhi. THE HUNTER AND THE GLASTIG OF BEN BRECK. A Hunter was one day returning from Ben Breck, and when he arrived at the foot of the mountain, he thought he heard a sound Hke the cracking of two stones striking together, or the rattling of a stag's horns when he rubs them against a rock. He held on his way, until he came in sight of a large stone that lay beside the path, and then he saw, crouching at the foot of the stone, the semblance of a woman, with a green shawl about her shoulders, and in her hands a pair of deer- shanks, which she kept striking against one another without ceasing. Though he understood that she was the Glastig, he made bold enough to say to her: " What are you doing there, poor woman? " But the only re- ply he got was: " Since the wood was burnt, since the wood was burnt," and she kept repeating this refrain as long as he was within hearing distance of her. MAC LACHAINN AGUS A' GHLAISTIG. Bha a' cheud aon de Chloinn Lachainn Airdnamurchan ag gabhail còmhnuidh an Gleann na h-Iubhraich. 'Na ghreigh each bha lair bhrèagh, ghlas; agus bha e toileach a' cheud searrach a bhitheadh aice a ghlèidh- eadh. Ach bha fios air so aig a' Ghlaistig a bhitheadh a' tathaich nan sgairneach ri taobh easa no still a bha 's a' choimhearsnachd; agus a chionn gu n robh fuath aice dha mar choigreach 'san àite, chuir i roimpe nach faigheadh e a thoil leis. Cho luath is a rugadh an searrach, ghabh i e agus spàrr i e ann an toll os ceann sruthain a bha fo 'n talamh, agus anns an do bhàthadh e. Air an la 'na dheidh sin fhuair Mac Lachainn an searrach marbh 'san toll, ach shaoil leis gu'm b' e fein a thuit ann leis a' mhi-fhortan. An ath bhliadhna thachair an ni ceudna, oir fhuaradh an dara searrach marbh anns a' cheart toll agus anns a' cheart sruthan a bha fodha. Bha a amharus a nis air a thogail, agus le sin chuir e roimhe gu'm faireadh e an lair air an ath shamhradh aig am breith an t-searraich. An uair a thàinig an t-àm, chaidh e latha do'n mhonadh a dh' fhaicinn na làrach; ach bha a' Ghlaistig an sin roimhe agus ag cur ris an treas searrach a phiicadh troimh an toll do'n t-sruthan a bha fodha. B'aithne dha gu math ciamar a dhionadh se e fein o chumhachd nan sithichean, agus uime sin ghlac e a* Ghlaistig 'na ghàirdeanan, agus le strl mhor chuir e fodha i mu dheireadh. MACLACHLAN AND THE GLASTIG. The first of the MacLachlans of Ardnamurchan lived in Glenahurich. In his herd of horses he had a fine grey mare, whose first foal he wished to keep. But the Glastig frequenting the rocky sides of a neighbouring ravine or waterfall knew this; and because she hated him as an intruder in the place, she resolved to disap- point him. As soon as the foal was born, she took it and thrust it into a hole opening over an underground stream, in which it was drowned. On the following day MacLachlan found the foal dead in the hole, but thought that it had fallen in accidentally. Next year the same thing happened, the second foal being found dead in the same hole, and in the same underground stream. His suspicion was now aroused, and so he resolved to watch the mare next summer at foaling time. When the season arrived, he went one day to the hill to see the mare; but the Glastig was there before him, and was busy pushing the third foal through the hole into the stream underneath. He knew well how to de- fend himself from fairy influence; and, therefore, he seized the Glastig in his arms, and with a great effort succeeded at last in throwing her down. 252 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. " Tha do bhàs air do mhuin, a Chailleach," ars e, is e 'na sheasamh thairte. " Is learn fhein mo èirig," fhreagair ise. " Gu dè an èirig a bheir thu dhomh ? " ars esan. " Sealladh an da shaoghail dhuit fein, agus soirbheachadh dhuit fèin agus do d' shliochd ad dhèidh." Air na cumhnantan sin leig e as i. Uair-eigin 'na dheidh sin bha e am Bràigh Lochabar, agus thug e leis a shlat, agus chaidh e dh' iasgach air abhainn Spithein. Air a' chieud siab chuir e'n dubhan an sàs ann an iasg brèagh a thug e air tir air bruaich na h-aibhne. Air dha bhi acrach, las e teine ri taobh na h-aibhne, agus chuir e an t-iasg air. Goirid an deidh sin thuit gu'n do leag e a mheur "air bolgan a dh' eirich air taobh uachdair an èisg. Loisg an teas a mheur cho dona is gu'n do chuir e 'na bheul e 'ga fhionnarachadh. Cha bu luaithe a rinn e sin na fhuair e sealladh an da shaoghail, no am briathraibh eile, an dara sealladh. Bha a' cheud chuid de ghealladh na Glaistige air a coimhlionadh an sin, agus tha e air a ràdh gu'n do choimhlionadh a' chuid eile 'na dheidh sin. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 253 " Your death is over you, Carlin," said he, as he stood over her. *' My ransom is mine own," she re- plied. "What ranson wilt thou give me?" said he. '* The vision of the two worlds to thyself and pros- perity to thee and to thy descendants after thee." On these terms he let her go. Some time after, being in the Braes of Lochaber, he took his rod, and went to the river Spean to fish. With the first cast he hooked a fine fish, which he landed on the river bank. Being hungry, he kindled a fire at the river side, and placed the fish upon it. Soon afterwards he happened to press with his finger a blister which rose on the upperside of the fish. The heat burnt his finger so badly that he put it into his mouth to cool. No sooner had he done this than he obtained the vision of the two worlds, or, in other words, the second sight. The first part of the Glastig's promise was then fulfilled, and it is said that the other part was fulfilled afterwards. [DOMHNULL MOR OG AGUS GLAISTIG NA BUIDHEINNICH.] Tha an sgeul a leanas air innseadh an so a chionn gu'm bheil e, mar tha an dara sgeul, a' nochdadh gur trend fhiadh a bha ann an trend na Glaistige. Bha Domhnull Mòr Og Camaron a chòmhnuidh am Bràigh Lochabar ann an ceud leth an linn a chaidh seachad. Bha e 'na dhuine comharraichte air iomadh dòigh. Anns a' cheud àite bha an da shealladh aige. Mar dh' eirich do'n Phortair Cham, chunnaic e roimh làimh cuin agus c'àite an robh Cailein Caimbeul Ghlinn lubhair gu bhi air a mharbhadh ; agus a rèir beul- aithris, bha e cho cinnteach gu'n tachradh gach ni mar chunnaic e, is gu'n d' thàinig e a h-uile ceum o'n Bhràigh gu coille Odhanaich far an d' fheith e gus an cuala e fuaim na h-urchair a loisgeadh air taobh eile a' chaolais le Ailein Breac. Bha Domhnull mar an ceudna ainmeil mar shealgair fhiadh. Cha robh a leithid r'a fhaotainn an Lochabar r'a linn, agus is coltach gu'n robh an dara sealladh feumail dha mar shealgair. Air la àraidh, am feadh a bha e a' sealltainn suas o iochdar a' Ghlinne ri mullach na Buidheinnich, thubhairt e ri coimhearsnach, a bha 'na sheasamh làimh ris: "Is mise a tha a' faicinn an t-seallaidh ! Cuir thusa do chas air mo chois-sa, agus chi thu e cuideachd." Rinn a choimhearsnach mar dh' BIG YOUNG DONALD AND THE GLASTIG OF BUINACH. The following tale is told here, because it shows, like the second tale (p. 236), that the Glastig's herd was a herd of deer. Big Young Donald Cameron resided in the Braes of Lochaber in the first half of the past century (i8th). He was a remarkable man in many ways. In the first place he had the second sight. Like the One-eyed Ferryman, he foresaw when and where Colin Campbell, Glenure, was to be killed; and, according to tradition, he was so confident of everything happening as he fore- saw, that he came every step from the Braes to the wood of Onich, where he waited until he heard the report of the shot fired on the other side of the narrows by Allan Breck. Donald was also a famous deer - hunter. His equal was not to be found in Lochaber in his time ; and it appears that the second-sight was useful to him as a hunter. On a certain day, while he was looking up from the bottom of the Glen to the top of the Yellow Mountain, he said to a neighbour who was standing near him : " 'Tis I who behold the sight! Place your foot on mine, and you will see it too." His neighbour did as 256 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. iarradh air, agus chunnaic e nis ni nach faca e gus a sin, an aon sealladh bu bhrèagha a chunnaic e riamh air feidh. Bha Domhnull a ghnàth a' leantainn nam fiadh, agus b' i a roghainn thar gach beinne-seilge a' Bhuidheinn- each. Air maduinn chiiiin mu bhristeadh an la, bha e 'na shuidhe air aisridh nam fiadh 's a' bheinn le a ghunna caol nach do dhiijlt riamh air a ghlùn, agus a' feitheamh gus an teirneadh " a' ghreigh uallach " o mhullach na beinne a dh' òl an dighe-maidne as na fuarain ghlana a bha a' bristeadh a mach o thaobh an t-sleibhe fuidhe. Mu dheireadh chunnaic e iad a' tighinn a mach as a* cheò a bha a' falach a' chreachainn os a cheann, agus Glaistig mhòr 'gan iomain roimpe. Ghrad thug i an aire do'n t-sealgair, agus mu 'n d'thàinig a' chuid a bha air thoiseach do na feidh an dlùthas urchair, ghlaodh i ris: " Tha thu tuilleadh is trom air na h-aighean agam-sa, a Dhomhnuill Mhoir. Cha'n fhaod thu a bhi cho trom orra is a tha thu." Bha Domhnull Mor deas-chainnteach, agus, le sin chuir e seachad i leis an fhreagairt ullamh so: " Cha do mharbh mi riamh agh far am faighinn damh." Leig e na h-aighean seachad air, agus a' Ghlaistig 'nan deidh, agus cha do chuir i tuilleadh dragha air. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 257 he was told, and he now beheld, what he saw not till then, the finest view of deer he had ever witnessed. Donald was always pursuing the deer, and of all bens his choice for hunting was the Yellow Mountain. On a calm morning, at break of day, he was sitting on a deer-pass on the ben, with his slender-barrelled gun that never missed fire on his knee, and waiting until the light-moving herd should descend from the summit of the mountain to drink their morning draught out of the clear springs which gushed forth from the side of the slope beneath. At length he saw them coming out of the mist which hid the rocky sum- mit above him, and a tall Glastig driving them before her. She at once noticed the hunter, and before the foremost deer came within shooting distance she cried to him: " Thou art too heavy on my hinds, Big Donald. Thou must not be so heavy on them as thou art." Big Donald was ready-witted, and so he put her off with this apt answer: " I never killed a hind where I could find a stag." He allowed the hinds to pass with the Glastig behind them, and she gave him no further trouble. [AN CEATHRAR SHEALGAIR IS AN CEATHRAR GHLAISTIG.] Chaidh ceathrar shealgair a sheilg do Bhràigh Lochabar ann an aon de na linntibh a chaidh seachad. An deidh do sheilg an la a bhi thairis, thug iad orra gu bothan- àiridhe a chaitheadh na h-oidhche. Rainig iad am bothan am beul an anmoich, agus an deidh teine a lasadh agus an suipeir a ghabhail, shuidh iad mu'n teallach, agus thòisich iad ri còmhradh. Dh' fhairich iad iad fhèin ro chomhfhurtachail, agus thubhairt triùir dhiubh ann am fala-dhà nach robh ni da 'n dith a nis ach an leannain chum an deanamh cho sona ris an righ. " 'N Ni Maith eadar mise agus sin," thubhairt an ceathramh sealgair. Sguir an còmhradh an sin, agus tharruing an triùir shealgair air falbh do dh' oisinn a' bhothain, ach dh' fhuirich an ceathramh fear far an robh e. Goirid an deidh sin thàinig ceathrar bhan a stigh do 'n bhothan, an cruth agus an coltas leannan nan sealgair. Chaidh triùir dhiubh a null agus shuidh iad làimh ris an triùir shealgair 'san oisinn ; ach sheas a' cheathramh h-aon mu choinneamh an t-sealgair a bha aig an teine. An uair a chunnaic an sealgair, a bha aig an teine, so, tharruing e a bhiodag as an truaill, agus chuir e i tarsuinn air a ghlùin. An sin thug e mach da thruimb as a phòca, agus thòisich e air cluich orra. Thug a' bhean a bha m'a choinneamh an aire dha so, agus thubhairt i : " Is math an ceòl a tha 'san truimb Mur bhi am pong a tha 'na deidh : — Is math le fear d' an cuid i bhi 'Na ghob an àite tè." THE FOUR HUNTERS AND THE FOUR GLASTIGS. In one of the past centuries four hunters went a-hunting to the Braes of Lochaber. After the day's sport was over, they betook themselves to a summer-pasture bothy to pass the night. They reached the bothy in the dark; and after kindling a fire and taking supper, they sat down about tne hearth and began to converse. They felt very comfortable; and three of them said, in fun, that they wanted nothing now but the presence of their sweethearts to make them as happy as the king. " Goodness between me and that (wish)," said the fourth hunter. The conversation then ceased, and the three hunters withdrew to a corner of the bothy, but the fourth stayed where he was. Shortly after that four women entered the bothy, having the form and appearance of the sweethearts of the hunters. Three of them went over, and sat beside the three hunters in the corner; but the fourth stood before the hunter who was seated at the fire. When the hunter sitting at the fire noticed this, he drevi' his dirk from the scabbard, and laid it across his knees. Then he took two trumps out of his pocket, and began to play on them. The woman standing before him noticed this and said: — " Good is the music of the trump. Saving the one note in its train. Its owner likes it in his mouth In preference to any maid." 26o FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Ach cha do ghabh an sealgair air gu 'n cuala e i, ach chum e ag cluich air na truimb, mar bha e roimhe. An sin thòisich i air tighinn na bu dlùithe agus air breith air le a cròig; ach chum e dheth i cho math is a dh'fhaodadh e le a bhiodaig. An uair a dh'fhairslich oirre greim fhaotainn air mar so, dh'fheuch i seòl eile air. " Thoir dhomh gradan," ars i. Rinn an sealgair gradan, agus shin e dhi e air bàrr na biodaige. An uair a chunnaic i so, chum i ris ceann a h-uillne, agus thubhairt i: " Cuir an so e." Ach thuig an sealgair gu'm b' e aobhar a dèantais cothrom fhaotainn air greim a dheanamh air an làimh 'san robh a bhiodag, agus uime sin bha e air a fhaicill. Cho luath is a dh'fhairich e i a' dol a shineadh a mach a gàirdean air feadh a bha esan a' ruigsinn di a' ghradain, chum e rithe barr na biodaige agus thug e dhi sàthadh no dhà leatha. Dh'fhoghainn sin leatha. Chaidh i air a h-ais chum taobh eile an teine, agus sheas i an sin ag cumail conais ris. Mu dheireadh chuala e glaodh coilich mar gu'm bitheadh e air mullach monaidh. " Sud," ars an te a bha air taobh eile an teine, " coileach dubh a' Mhairt: is mithich a bhi falbh." Gun tuilleadh a ràdh thug i an dorus oirre, agus ghrad leum a triiiir bhan-chompan- ach 'na deidh. Cho luath is a thàinig an latha, chaidh an ceathramh sealgair a null do'n oisinn, agus fhuair e a thriùir chompanach fuar, marbh, le am muineil geàrrta, agus gach srad fala sijighte as an cuislean. Cha robh teagamh aige nis nach bu Ghlaistigean a bha 'sna mnathan. B' iad an triiiir bheistean a rinn sud, agus dheanadh an ceathramh te a leithid eile air-san, mur bhi air-son nam briathran agus nam meadhon eile a ghnàthaich e. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 26 1 The hunter, however, did not acknowledge that he heard her, but continued playing on the trumps as before. Then she began to come nearer, and tried to lay hold of him with her hand; but he kept her off as well as he could with his dirk. When she failed in getting hold of him in this way, she tried another. " Give me a pinch of snuff," said she. The hunter prepared the snuff, and reached it to her on the point of his dirk. When she saw this, she turned towards him the point of her elbow, and said: " Put it here." The hunter un- derstood that the reason for her action was to get an opportunity of seizing the hand in which the dirk was held, and so he was on his guard. As soon as he noticed her going to stretch out her arm while he was reaching her the snuff, he kept the point of his dirk towards her, and gave her one or two prods with it. That was enough. She went back to the other side of the fire, and stood there, irritating him. At length he heard the crowing of a cock as if on a hill top. "Yonder," said the woman on the other side of the fire, "is the black cock of March; it is time to depart." She said no more, but made for the door, and her three companions sprang out after her. As soon as daylight appeared, the fourth hunter went over to the corner, and found his three comrades cold and dead, with their throats cut, and every drop of blood sucked out of their veins. He had now no doubt that the women were Glastigs. The three wretches it was who did the deed, and the fourth would have done the very same to him had it not been for the words and other means he had used. [GOBHAINN SRON AN T-SITHEIN AGUS A' GHLAISTIG.] Bha gobhainn de Chloinn a' Phearsain a chòmhnuidh an Sròn an t-Sithein an aon de na linntibh a chaidh seachad. Bha e 'na chleachduinn aige a' cheàrdach a reiteachadh agus gach iarunn agus ball acfhuinn a chur seachad mu'm falbhadh e dhachaidh 'san oidhche. Ach an uair a philleadh e air ais air an ath mhaduinn agus a dh' fhosgladh e dorus na ceàrdaich, gheibheadh e a h-uile ni air an toirt as an aite 'san d'fhàg e iad, agus air an sgapadh air feadh an ùrlair. Cha b' urrainn e a thuigsinn ciod a b' aobhar do'n aimhreit so, agus uime sin chuir e roimhe fuireachd oidhche anns a' cheàrdaich feuch am faigheadh e mach e. Sheas e ann an oisinn aig cùl an doruis, agus an t-òrd mor aige eadar a dhà làimh, a' feitheamh ciod a thachaireadh. Dh' fheith e ijine mhath gun ni fhaireachadh ; ach mu dheireadh thàinig Glaistig mhor a stigh 'na still air an dorus, agus gun dàil tiota thòisich i, le mire chuthaich, air gach iarunn agus gach ball acfhuinn air am faigheadh i a làmh, a thilgeadh a null is a nail air feadh an tighe. Bha aon 'na cuideachd air an robh coltas leinibh bhig. Thug an t-aon so an aire do 'n ghobhainn 'na sheasamh aig CÙ1 an doruis, agus air ball thubhairt e: " Tha an Tamhasg 's a' chùil, a chailleach ! Tha an Tamhasg 's a' chùil." Fhreagair i gun uibhir agus stad air a ceum no sùil a thoirt an taobh a bha an gobhainn: " Cha'n 'eil ann ach Logais Beag! Cha'n 'eil ann ach Logais Beag! " THE STRONTIAN SMITH AND THE GLASTIG. There was in one of the past centuries a smith of the Clan Pherson dwelling at Strontian. He was accus- tomed to put the smithy in order, and lay aside all the iron bars and tools before he would go home at night. But when he would return next morning, and open the door of the smithy, he would find everything taken out of the place where he had left it, and scattered all over the floor. He could not understand the cause of this confusion, and he resolved to stay a night in the smithy to see if he could find it out. He stood in a corner at the back of the door with the sledge-hammer between his hands, awaiting what should happen. He stayed a good while without noticing anything; at length a big Glastig came rush- ing in at the door, and, without a moment's delay, began, in mad frolic, to pitch hither and thither, over the house, all the iron bars and tools on which she could lay hand. In her company was one having the appearance of a little child. This one, noticing the smith standing behind the door, instantly said: "The Ghost is in the corner, Carlin ! the Ghost is in the corner." Without waiting a moment, or casting one look in the smith's direction, she answered: "It is only Little Shambler. It is only Little Shambler." 264 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Mu dheireadh fhuair an gobhainn cothrom oirre 'san dol seachad, agus bhuail e an t-òrd mòr oirre le a uile neart. Tharruing e an sin an t-òrd a thoirt di ath bhuille, ach ghlaodh i ris e chumail air a làimh, agus nach cuireadh i dragh tuilleadh air. Rinn e mar dh'iarr i, agus cho luath is a fhuair i as, thubhairt i ris gu 'm bilheadh gach aon d'a shliochd, a rachadh a thoirt a stigh air a fheusaig troimh dhorus na ceàrdaich, 'na làn-ghobhainn o'n uair sin. Mar thubhairt b' fhior. Cha robh aon d'a shliochd nach d'fhuair a cheàird air an dòigh fhurasda so, agus bha an dream 'nan goibhnibh ainmeil 'san àite rè iom- adh linn. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 265 At length the smith, having got a good opportunity as she was passing him, struck her with the big hammer with all his might. He drew it again to strike her another blow, but she cried to him to stay his hand, and that she would not trouble him any more. He did as she wished; and as soon as she got out of danger, she told him that everyone of his descendants, taken by the beard in through the door of the smithy, would henceforth be a perfect smith. It happened as she had said. There was none of his descendants who did not acquire his trade in this easy way, and the race were famous smiths in the district for many generations after. [GLAISTIG NO MAIGHDEAN GHLINN DUROR.] Bha Glaistig an Gleann Dùror ris an abradh iad a' Mhaighdean. Bu bhoirionnach saoghalta a bha innte an toiseach. Bho cheann da no tri cheud bliadhna bha i 'na banaraich eadar Gleann Dùror agus Gleann a' Chaolais, agus tha a h-ainm agus a sloinneadh, agus eadhon am baile 'san d'araicheadh i, fhathast air chuimhne. Thugadh air falbh i as a laighe-shiùbhladh leis na sithichean, agus cha do thill i tuilleadh. Ach a reir beul-aithris, thionndaidheadh i 'na ban shithe no *na Glaistig, a ghabh fasgadh ann an easaibh agus ann an còsaibh nan creag eadar an da Ghleann. Bha i gu sònraichte a' tathaich Eas nam Mèirleach air taobh deas Beinn Bheithir agus bu trie a chunnacas an sin i le luchd-gabhail-an-rathaid. Is coltach gu'n do lean rithe 'na Glaistig an spèis a bha aice roimhe do chrodh agus do gach seòrsa sprèidhe. Gu minic bha i r'a faicinn am meadhon a' chruidh mar gu 'm bitheadh i 'gan cunntas, agus roimh fhaidhrich- ean, agus aig am atharrachadh tuath, mar gu'm bitheadh i ag cur air leth a' chuid de'n stochd a bha falbh, no ag gabhail seilbhe anns a' chuid a bha air tighinn. Ma bha aon de 'n tuath a b' fhearr leatha na each, bha i ro chijramach m'a sprèidh-san ; agus aig am dol air imrich, chuireadh i gach bacadh eadar e agus an togail bhàrr an fhearainn. A reir beul-aithris thachair so an uair mu dheireadh o cheann deich THE GLASTIG OR MAID OF GLEN DUROR> There was a Glastig in Glen Duror, whom people called the " Maiden." She was an earthly woman at first. Two or three hundred years ago she was a dairy- maid between Glen Duror and Glen-a-Chulish ; and her name and surname, and even the farm where she was reared, are still remembered. She was taken away out of child-bed by the fairies, and she returned no more. But according to tradition she was changed into a Banshee, or Glastig, who took shelter in the ravines and clefts of the rocks between the two Glens. She frequented, in particular* the Robbers' Ravine on the south side of Ben Vehir, and there she was often seen by the passers by. It appears that the liking she formerly had for cows and all kinds of cattle stuck to her as a Glastig. Often she was to be seen in the midst of the cattle, as if she were engaged in counting them; and before markets, and at the time of changing tenants, as if she were separating the out-going part of the stock, or taking possession of the part newly come in. If she happened to have a greater liking for one of the tenants than for the rest, she was very careful of his cattle; and at the time of flitting, she would place every obstacle between him and the lifting of them off the ground. Accord- ing to tradition, this happened for the last time about 268 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. bliadhna fichead. Co dhiiibh, o sin gu so cha'n fhacas is cha chualas a' Ghlaistig. Theagamh gu'n do ruaigeadh as a' Ghleann i le sgreadail fhideag nam bàtaichean smùide a' dol sios is suas an Linne Sheilich, no le urchairean luchd-buidhinn cloiche na Creige- Eiteige aig bun Eas nan Con. Co dhiùbh, dh'fhalbh i, agus cha'n 'eil duine 'ga h-ionndrainn. Is iomadh sgeul a bha air innseadh m'a timchioll, agus is iomadh meadar math bainne a chaitheadh oirre le banaraichean air airidhean a' Ghlinne. Oir an oidhche a dh' fhagadh iad am meadar Ian bainne aice, gheibheadh iad gach ni ceart an dara mhàireach; ach an oidhche nach fagadh, bhitheadh na laoigh air an leigeil a mach as a' chrò, agus an crodh air an deoghal air an ath mhaduinn. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 269 thirty years ago. At any rate, from that day to this, the Glastig has been neither seen nor heard. Perhaps she was chased out of the Glen by the screaming of the whistles of steamers passing up and down Loch Linnhe, or by the blasts fired by the quarriers of the Quartz-Rock at the foot of the Dogs' Ravine, At any rate she has departed, and no one misses her. Many a tale was told about her, and many a pail of milk was spent on her by the dairymaids at the shiel- ings of the Glen. For the night they left the pail full of milk for her, they would find everything right next day; but the night they neglected to do this, the calves would be let out of the fold, and the cows would be sucked dry next morning. BANRIGH NAN SITHICHEAN AN RIOCHD MUILE-MHAG. Bha uair eigin a' fuireachd, aig ceann Loch Raonasa an Arainn, bean tuathanaich a bhitheadh a' deanamh àite mna-glùin d'a ban-choimhearsnaich. Air latha bòidheach fogharaidh thuit dhi fein agus do mhnaoi eile a bhi mach air an achadh ag geàrradh coirce. Roimh fheasgar leum muile - mhag mhor, bhuidhe gu h-eigineach à rathad a corrain ; agus, an uair a chunnaic i an creutair truagh 'ga slaodadh fein a cunnairt, thubh- airt i: " Tha thusa an sin, a luideag bhoclid; b' fheàirrde thu mise mu d' thimchioll an ùine ghoirid." " O! am beathach mosach," ars a' bhean eile: " ma thig i an rathad agamsa, cuiridh mi barr mo chorrain troimpe." " Cha chuir, cha chuir," arsa bean ^n tuathanaich; " cha'n 'eil an creutair bochd ach a' màgaran mu 'n cuairt a' trusadh a cuid mar tha sinn fein." Agus leigeadh air falbh a' mhuile-mhàg le a beatha. An ceann beagan laithean thàinig gille an cabhaig a' marcachd air each glas gu tigh an tuathanaich, agus bhuail e buille air an dorus leis an t-slait a bha 'na làimh. Chaidh an tuathanach a mach, agus thubhairt an gille ris gu'n d'thainig e air-son na mnà a dh' fheitheamh a bhan-mhaighstir, is i am feum a cuideachaidh. Dh'iarr an tuathanach air dol a stigh agus biadh a ghabhail, am fad is a bhitheadh a bhean a' deanamh deas air-son an turuis. Fhreagair e gu'n THE FAIRY QUEEN IN THE FORM OF A FROG. At the head of Loch Ransa, in Arran, there once lived a farmer's wife who used to act as midwife to her neighbours. On a fine day in harvest she and another woman happened to be out in the field cutting oats. Before evening a large yellow frog leaped with difficulty out of the way of her sickle, and when she saw the poor creature dragging itself out of danger, she said: "There your are, poor clumsy thing; you would be the better of my help soon." "O! the nasty beast," said the other woman, " if she comes my way, I'll put the point of my sickle through her." "No! No!" said the farmer's wife, " the poor creature is only crawling about gathering her portion like ourselves," and the frog was let away with her life. In a few days a lad, riding on a grey horse, came in haste to the farmer's house, and struck a blow on the door with the switch that was in his hand. The farmer went out, and the lad said to him that he had come for the wife to attend his mistress, who needed her assistance. The farmer told him to go in and take food, while his wife was making ready for the journey. He replied that he was in haste, and that he would wait 272 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. robh e an cabhaig, ach gu'm feitheadh e far an robh e gus am bitheadh i deas. An so thàinig a' bhean a mach, agus thubhairt i nach rachadh i ceum leis mur tigeadh e stigh, agus an gabhadh e greim bidh, Ach chuir e 'na cuimhne ciod a thubhairt i r'a bhan- mhaighstir an uair a thachair i oirre ann an riochd muile-mhàg air an achadh bhuana; agus an sin thubh- airt e nach faodadh i dol a cois a facail. Chunnaic i gu'n robh i an sàs leis an ni thubhairt i, agus gu 'm feumadh i falbh leis. Ach mu'n d' fhalbh i, gheall an gille gu'n tugadh e dhachaidh gu sabhailt i an ceann beagan laithean. Chuir an tuathanach a bhean air cùl a' ghille; agus cho luath is a fhuair i 'na suidhe an sin, air falbh 'na dheannaibh ghabh an t-each glas a suas ri aodann a' bhruthaich. Ann an ùine glè ghoirid ràinig e am mullach, agus an sin thionndaidh e a aghaidh ri glomhas mor a bha eadar am bruthach a dhirich e agus aon eile a bha m'a choinneamh. An uair a thug bean an tuathan- aich so fa-near, ghlaodh i ris a' ghille: "Ciod is ciall duit? Am bheil thu an dùil gu'n leum an t-each an glomhas sin." Ach mu 'n robh na briathran as a beul chaidh an t-each thairis air mar eun air iteig. " Is math a fhuaradh thu, a phiseag ghlas!" ars an gille ris an steud a bha fodha. Chuir na briathran so iogh- nadh air bean an tuathanaich ; ach, ma chuir, bu mhoide a h-ioghnadh an uair a dh' amhairc i, agus a chunnaic i nach robh anns an steud a mharcaich i fein agus an gille, ach cat glas. "A nis," ars an gille ri bean an tuathanaich, " tha thu a' dol do Shithean, a tha goirid as a so, a dh'fheitheamh air Ban-righ nan Sithichean; agus, mu'n teid thu na 's fhaide, innsidh mi dhuit ciod is coir dhuit a dheanamh, an uair a ruigeas tu e. Na bitheadh eagal ort mo chomhairle-sa a ghabhail, oir cha'n e sithiche FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 273 where he was, until she would be ready. The woman now came out, and said that she would not go a step with him unless he would come in and take a morsel of food. Then he reminded her of what she had said to his mistress when she met her in the form of a frog on the reaping field, and then he said that she dared not go back from her word. She saw that she had put herself in his power by what she had said, and that she must go with him. Before she departed, however, the lad promised to bring her home safely in a few days. The farmer placed his wife behind the lad, and as soon as she had got seated there, away went the grey horse at full gallop up the face of the hill. In a very short time he reached the summit, and then he turned his face towards a great chasm which lay between the hill he had ascended and another opposite. When the farmer's wife noticed this, she cried to the lad: " What do you mean ? Do you expect the horse to leap that chasm ? " But before the words were out of her moi^th the horse went over it like a bird on the wing. " Well done, grey kitten! " said the lad to the steed that was under him. These words made the farmer's wife wonder; but, if so, her wonder was the greater when she looked and saw that the steed which she herself and the lad rode was but a grey cat. " Now," said the lad to the farmer's wife, "you are going to a Fairy Knoll, which is a short distance from this, to attend the Queen of the Fairies; and before you proceed further, I shall tell you what you ought to do when you reach it. Be not afraid to take my advice, for I am not a fairy at all, but a human being. T 274 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. a tha annam-sa idir, ach duine saoghalta. Tha mi fo gheasaibh aig na sithichean fad bliadhna thar fhichead; agus tha bliadhna eile agam ri chur a stigh fhathast, mu'm bi mi saor, agus comas agam pilleadh air m' ais ri mo dhaoine fèin a rithist. Chum gu 'm bi agad-sa cuideachd comas pilleadh dhachaidh aig ceann do iiine fèin, thoir fa-near ciod a their agus a ni thu, fhad is a bhitheas tu 'san t-Sithean. Cha bhi nithean an sin mar dh' amhairceas iad; ach, dean thusa mar dh' iarras mise ort, agus chi thu iad mar tha iad; agus cha bhi thu tuilleadh an cunnart a bhi air do mhealladh leò. Ma-tà, gheibh thu tri seòrsachan siabuinn, aon aca geal, aon eile dhiubh buidhe, agus an treas aon dearg. An uair a gheibh thu leat fein, suath an siabunn geal OS ceann do shùla deise, agus bheir e air falbh an sgleò dhith, agus an sin chi thu nithean gu ceart. Ach thoir aire mhath nach bean thu ri do shiiil no ri do mhala le aon de 'n da sheòrsa eile. Sin agad mo cheud chomhairle; agus so tè eile, agus bi cinnteach nach dearmad thu i. An uair a bhitheas do ijine mach, thig mise air do shon ; agus an sin cruinnichidh na sithichean mu do thimchioll, agus tairgidh gach aon diubh ni-eigin r'a thabhairt leat mar ghean-math. Faodaidh tu rud air bith a bheir iad dhuit a ghabhail, ach or is airgiod; agus innsidh mise dhuit a rithist ciod is coir dhuit a dheanamh riu. Ach tha sinn a nis an sealladh an t-Sithein, agus feuch nach tig thu thairis air ni air bith a thubhairt mise riut." Bha dorus an t-Sithein fosgailte rompa, agus solus sèimh a' deàrrsadh a mach troimhe. Chaidh bean an tuathanaich a stigh, agus b' ann an sin a bha an t-àite brèagh. Bha na ballachan agus am mullach loinnireach le or agus airgiod; agus air an ùrlar bha bòrd fada, uidheamaichte, agus saor do na h-uile a thigeadh. Bha an sin cuideachd mhòr a dh' fhir agus a mhnathan òga FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 275 I lie under spells by the fairies for twenty-one years, and I have another year yet to put in before I shall be free and have power to return back to my own people again. That you also may have power to return home at the end of your time, take heed what you say and do as long as you are in the Fairy Knoll. Things there will not be as they will appear; but do you as I tell you, and you will see them as they are; and you will no longer be in danger of being deceived by them. Well, you will get three kinds of soap, one white, another yellow, and the third red. When you find yourself alone, rub the white soap over your right eye, and it will remove thence the glamour, and then you will see things aright. But take good heed that you do not touch your eye, or your brow, with either of the other kinds. That is my first advice; and here is the other, and be sure that you do not neglect it. When your time is out, I will come for you, and then the fairies will gather about you, and each one of them will offer something to take with you as a gift. You may take anything they will give you, except gold or silver; and I will tell you again what you ought to do with them. But we are now in sight of the Fairy Knoll, and see that you will not come over anything I have said to you." The door of the Fairy Knoll stood open before them, and a mild light was shining through the doorway. The farmer s wife entered, and it was there that the grand place was. The walls and the ceiling were glistening with gold and silver; and on the floor stood a long table, covered with abundance, and free to all comers. A great company was there, of young men 2;6 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. sgeadaichte an aodach uaine, agus a thug bàrr air na chunnaic i riamh ann am maise. Chuir iad uile fàilte oirre, agus thug aon aca stigh i do sheòmar na Ban-righ. Rinn a' Bhan-righ gairdeachas rithe, agus thubhairt i gu'n robh earbsa aice innte, o'n la a ghabh i truas dith air an achadh bhuana. Dh' fhuirich bean an tuathanaich greis 'san t-Sithean. Air la àraidh, an uair a bha i leatha fein, ghabh i an siabunn geal, agus shuaith i e os ceann a sijla, agus an sin ghrad dh'atharraicheadh gach ni m'a timchioll. Thionndadh an t-àite brèagh 'na tholl ruadh gainmhich, agus na daoine mora eireachdail a bha ann, 'nan seann chreutairean beaga, duaichnidh. Cha do ghabh i oirre ciod a rinn no chunnaic i, ach o sin bu latha gach mionaid leatha gus an d' fhuair i as. Mu dheireadh thàinig an gille an cabhaig, agus ghlaodh e rithe a bhi deas falbh leis-san, a chionn gu'n d' thàinig an t-àm anns am feumadh esan a ghealladh a choimhlionadh d'a fear. Cho luath is a chuala na sithichean so, chruinnich iad mu'n cuairt oirre, agus thairg gach aon aca dhi ni-eigin mar ghean-math. Ghabh i gach ni a fhuair i, ach airgiod agus or, mar dh' iarradh oirre; agus chaidh i mach. An sin dh' fhalbh i 'na suidhe air cijl a' ghille air an steud ghlas. Ach ghabh an gille rathad ijr a thug iad troimh phreasan dhreas agus dhroighinn. Cho luath is a ràinig iad a' cheud phreas, ghlaodh an gille rithe aon de thiodhlacan nan sithichean a thilgeil ann. Rinn i sin, agus ghrad-sprèadh e le fuaim cho cruaidh ri urchair gunna, agus chuir e am preas 'na lasair theine. An sin thilg i air falbh na bha aice, aon an deidh aoin ; agus mar thachair do'n cheud aon, thachair do'n chòrr. " A nis," ars an gille, " na'n do glèidh thu na rudan ud gus an deachaidh thu dhachaidh, FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 277 and women, arrayed in green garments, and surpassing all she had ever seen in comeliness. They all welcomed her, and one of them took her into the Queen's chamber. The Queen rejoiced to see her, and said that she had confidence in her, since the day she pitied her on the reaping field. The farmer's wife stayed a while in the Fairy Knoll. One day when she was alone, she took the white soap and rubbed it over her eye, and then everything around her w^as suddenly changed. The grand place was turned into a pit of red gravel, and the tall, handsome people that were in it into old creatures, small and ill-favoured. She never made known what she did or saw, but from that time she felt every minute as long as a day till she got out of it. At last the lad came in haste, and called on her to be ready to depart with him, because the time had arrived when he must fulfil his promise to her husband. As soon as the fairies heard this, they gathered around her, and everyone of them offered her some- thing as a token of goodwill. She took every thing she got, except gold and silver, as she had been told; and she went forth. Then she took her departure, sitting behind the lad on the grey steed. But the lad took a new road, which led them through bushes of briars and thorns. As soon as they reached the first bush, the lad called to her to throw therein one of the fairies' gifts. She did so; and next moment it exploded with a report as loud as a gun-shot, and turned the bush into a flame of fire. She then threw away all the gifts she had, one after another, and as had happened to the first one it happened to the rest. " Now," said the lad, " had you kept those things until you went 278 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. chuireadh iad an tigh ri theine, agus loisgeadh iad thu fein is na bhitheadh ann." Ràinig iad tigh an tuathan- aich an tèaruinteachd, dh' fhàg an gille beannachd aig a' mhnaoi, agus an sin dh' fhalbh e air an steud ghlas an taobh a ghabh e an toiseach. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 279 home, they would have set the house on fire, and burnt you yourself, and all that was in it." They reached the farmer's house in safety, the lad bade farewell to the farmer's wife, and then departed on the grey steed in the direction he had taken at first. BO MHAOL ODHAR DHOIRE - MHIC - BHRANNDAIDH. Anns an linn a chaidh seaehad, bha fear a Chloinn Choinnich 'na aon de thuath Odhanaich an iochdar Lochabar. 'Na am thuit gu'n do thòisich crodh a' bhaile air faotainn a mach 'san oidhche as a' bhuaile thodhair agus air dol do'n dail choirce far an d' rinn iad moran dolaidh. Cha robh fhios ciamar a bha a' bhuaile air a bristeadh sios, agus rathad air a dheanamh troimpe oidhche an deidh oidhche. Bha aon ni a mhàin cinnteach, agus b'e sin nach d'rinn na coimhearsnaich no an crodh fein an obair chronail so riamh. Mu dheireadh smaointich MacCoinnich gu'n robh làmh aig na sithichibh anns a' ghnothach ; agus le sin chuir e fios air a bhràthair, am Portair Cam, tighinn agus faire a dheanamh maille ris fad aon oidhche air a' bhuaile thodhair, dh* fheuch an robh no nach robh e ceart 'na bharail. Thainig am Portair Cam, agus cho luath is a thàinig am feasgar, chaidh iad le cheile dh' ionnsaidh an achaidh thodhair. An uair a ràinig iad an t-achadh, chuir iad an crodh a stigh do'n bhuaile, agus ghabh iad aice cho math is a b' urrainn iad. An sin shuidh iad sios an àite am fagus di, far an d' fheith iad dh' fheuch ciod a thachradh. An deidh do chuid mhath de 'n oidhche dol seaehad, chuala iad air leò na cabair 'gam bristeadh air an taobh a b' fhaide air falbh de 'n bhuaile. Ghrad dh'eirich am Portair Cam, agus ghabh e cuairt an taobh o'n d'thàinig an fhuaim. Cha deachaidh e ach goirid gus THE DUN COW OF MACBRANDY'S THICKET. In the past century, a man of the Clan Kenzie was one of the tenants of Onich, in Nether Lochaber. In his time it happened that the cattle on the farm began to get out of the tathing-fold at night, and to go into the corn field, where they did much damage. No one knew how the fold was broken down, and a way made through it night after night. One thing only was certain, and that was that neither the neigh- bours nor the cattle themselves ever did this mischiev- ous work. At last MacKenzie suspected that the fairies had a hand in the matter; and for that reason he sent word to his brother, the One-eyed Ferryman, to come and watch the tathing-fold with him during one night, to see whether or not he was right in his conjecture. The One - eyed Ferryman arrived, and as soon as night came, they went together to the tathing - field. When they reached the field, they put the cattle inside the fold, and secured it as w^ell as they could. Then they sat down in a place near it, where they waited to see what would happen. After a good part of the night had passed, they thought they heard the stakes being broken on the furthest off side of the fold. The One-eyed Ferryman rose up immediately, and took a turn in the direction from which the sound came. He had gone but a short 282 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. am faca e, oir bha an da shealladh aige, mart maol odhar a' tilgeil nan cabar as an kite le a ceann, agus an sin a' dol a stigh do 'n bhuaile far an do chuir i mart an deidh mairt air an cois, agus as an d' iomain i iad uile troimh 'n bhealach a rinn i chum na dail choirce. Lean am Portair a' bhò mhaol odhar gus an d' ràinig i Sithean Doire-Mhic-Bhranndaidh. Dh' fhosgail an Sithean roimpe, agus chaidh i stigh. Ghreas am Portair 'na deidh gu ruig an dorus, agu* chum a ghlèidheadh fosgailte, shàth e a bhiodag ann an aon de na h-ursnaibh. Fhuair e nis làn-shealladh air taobh a stigh an t-Sithein. Bha an Sithean air a lasadh suas le solus dealrach, agus bha teine mòr le coire iaruinn an crochadh os a cheann air meadhon an ijrlair; agus mu'n cuairt do'n teine bha cròilean de sheann daoinibh mora Hatha 'nan laighe air an uilnibh. Thàinig an tuathanach a nis gu dorus an t-Sithein; ach ma thàinig, cha'n fhaca e ni air bith gus an do chuir e a chas air chois a' Phortair Chaim. Ach cho luath is a rinn e sin, dh' fhosgail an Sithean, agus chunnaic e gach ni a bha an taobh a stigh dheth. Chuir an sealladh iongantach m'a choinneamh a leithid de dh' eagail air is gu 'n do ghuidh e air a' Phortair an t-aite neo-chneasda fhagail gun dàil. Cha d' thug am Portair umhail air bith dha. An àite sin is ann a ghlaodh e le guth àrd ris na sithichibh : " Na'n cuireadh a' bhò mhaol odhar aca dragh tuilleadh air buaile Odhanaich, gu'n tugadh e gach ni 'san t-Sithean as, agus gu'n tilgeadh e mach iad air Rudha na h-Oitire." Air dha so a ràdh tharruing e a bhiodag as an ursainn, agus air ball dhruid an dorus air fèin agus air a bhràthair. Phill iad 'na dhèidh sin dachaidh ; agus o'n oidhche sin cha'n fhacas tuilleadh bo mhaol odhar Doire-Mhic-Bhranndaidh ann am buaile Odhanaich. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 283 distance when he beheld (for he had the second sight) a dun polled cow throwing with her head the stakes out of their place, and then going into the fold where she put cow after cow on their feet, and whence she afterwards drove them all through the gap she had made into the corn field. The Ferryman followed the dun polled cow until she arrived at the Fairy Knoll of Derry MacBrandy. The Fairy Knoll opened up before her, and she entered. The Ferryman hastened after her as far as the door, and to keep it open, drove his dirk into one of the jambs. He now got a full view of the inside of the Fairy Knoll. It was lighted up with a brilliant light, and on the middle of the floor was a large fire with an iron caldron hanging over it; and around the fire was a circle of big old grey-haired men resting on their elbows. The farmer now came to the door of the Fairy Knoll ; but, if so, he saw nothing until he placed his foot on that of the One-eyed Ferryman. But as soon as he did that, the Fairy Knoll opened, and he saw every- thing that was within it. The wonderful sight before him put him in so great fear that he besought the Ferryman to leave the uncanny place without delay. The Ferryman paid him no attention whatever. In- stead of that, he called in a loud voice to the fairies, saying: *' If their dun polled cow should ever again trouble Onich fold, he would take out everything in the Knoll and throw it out on Rudha na h-Oitire." Having said this he drew his dirk out of the jamb, and straightway the door shut against him and his brother. After that they returned home; and from that night the dun cow of Derry MacBrandy has never been seen in an Onich fold. NA GRUAGAICHEAN. Bha uair-eigin a' fuireachd an Callairt duin'-uasal a bha 'na shealgair fhiadh ro ainmeil. Bha cù glas aige nach robh a leithid ri fhaotainn 'san am an Lochabar; ach, bha e, coltach r' a mhaighstir, a' fas sean, agus ag call a luathais. Air la àraid 'san fhogharadh dhirich an duin'-uasal le a sheann chù glas fein monadh Cheann Loch Mòr a leantainn nam fiadh. Ràinig e na coireachan a b' àbhaist dhoibh a bhi a' tathaich; ach, ged chunnaic e greigh an deidh greighe dhiubh, agus a lean e iad fad an la, cha d'fhuair e an astar saighead a thilgeil orra, no an cù a leigeil riu. Mu dheireadh aig cromadh na grèine 'san àird-an-iar, thàinig e air làn-damh brèagh leis fèin, agus leig e an cù air falbh 'na dheidh. Shin an cii as le a uile neart, agus an toiseadh bha e a' buidhinn air an damh ; ach cho luath is a leag an damh a chabair air a ghuailnibh, agus a thog e a chuinneinean 'san athar, thòisich an cù a' tuiteam air dheireadh, agus an ùine ghoirid chaill e sealladh air gu h-iomlan. Shuidh an duin'-uasal sios, gu sgith, aimhealach air cnocan uaine an gleann domhain eadar da shliabh àrd. Cha robh e fada an sin gus an do sheas da ghruagaich a b' aille cumadh agus dreach m'a choinneamh, agus cù brèagh aig tè dhiubh air eill. Labhair an te eile an toiseach, agus thubhairt i: " Tha thu sgith, a shealgair nam fiadh, agus fo aimheal a chionn gu'n do leig an seann chii as an damh mor." " Tha mi sgith, gu THE MAIDENS. There once lived in Callart a gentleman who was a very famous deer - hunter. He had a greyhound the equal of which was not then to be found in Lochaber; but, like his master, he was growing old and losing his speed. One day in autumn the gentleman, followed by his old greyhound, ascended the hill above Kinloch More to chase the deer. He reached the corries they used to frequent; but though he saw herd after herd of them and followed them all day long, he never got near enough to shoot an arrow, or to slip the dog after them. At length, when the sun was going down in the west, he came upon a fine full-grown stag all by himself, and he slipped the dog in pursuit of him. The dog stretched away with all his might, and at first was gain- ing on the stag; but as soon as the stag laid his antlers down over his shoulders, and lifted his nostrils in the air, the dog began to fall behind, and soon lost sight of him altogether. Wearied and vexed, the gentleman sat down on a green hillock in a deep glen between two lofty moun- tains. He was not long there when two maidens of fairest form and mien stood before him, one of them holding a noble dog in a leash. The other was the first to speak, and she said: "You are tired, hunter of the deer," said she, "and vexed because the old dog has allowed the big stag to escape." " I am tired, 286 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. dearbh, agus duilich gu 'n deachaidh latha a' choin ghlais seachad," fhreagair an sealgair. "Tog do mhisneach, agus their leat an cù so," ars an dara ^ruagach, "agus cha'n 'eil creutair ceithir-chasach air ^ghaidh na talmhainn, o'n mhaighich bhig gus an làn- damh cròiceach, air nach beir e, agus nach tabhair e gu d' ionnsaidh." " C ainm a tha air?" dh' fheòr- aich an sealgair. Fhreagair i gu 'n robh Brodum. Rug e air an eill as a làimh, agus thug e buidheachas dhi air-son a' choin. Dh' fhàg e an sin beannachd aice fein agus aig a ban-chompanach, agus dh' fhalbh e dhachaidh. Cho luath is a dh eirich e an ath latha, thug e mach leis gach duine a bha 'san tigh, agus air dha a aghaidh a thionndadh ris an da shliabh, eadar am faca e na gruagaichean, thubhairt e: " Am faic sibh an da shliabh lid a tha m' ur coinneamh ? A so a mach cuimhnichibh gur e a their sibh riu na Gruagaichean;" agus is e sin a theirear riu gus an latha an diugh. Lean an cij ris an duin'-uasal fhad is a bu bheò dha. Cha deachaidh iall riamh air cù a b' fhearr. Cha robh ni a rachadh iarraidh air nach deanadh e, no creutair ris an rachadh e a leigeil nach beireadh e air. Agus ■cha robh duine beò a leanadh e, no fhreagaireadh e, :ach a mhaighstir. An uair a chaochail a mhaighstir, chaill e a mhis- neach. Lean e an tiodhlacadh gu ruig eas a tha eadar Callairt agus an ath bhaile; ach stad e an sin, agus theirinn e do'n eas, far am facas e a' dol a stigh do dh' uaimh, as nach do thill e tuilleadh. Tha a ainm air a chumail air chuimhne ann an ainmean an da àite sin; oir is e a theirear riu fhathast Eas Bhroduim agus Uaimh Bhroduim. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 287 indeed, and grieved that the grey dog's best days have passed," answered the hunter. "Courage, and take this dog with you," said the second maiden, "and there is not a four-footed creature on the face of the earth, from the little hare to the full-grown antlered stag, but he will catch, and bring to you." " What is his name?" asked the hunter. She replied that it was Brodum. He took the leash out of her hand, and thanked her for the dog. He then bade farewell to herself and her companion, and went away home. As soon as he rose the next day, he brought every one in the house out with him, and after turning his face towards the two mountains between which he had seen the maidens, he said: " Do you see yonder two mountains opposite you ? From henceforth remember that you are to call them the Maidens," and that is what they are called to the present day. The dog followed the gentleman as long as he lived. Never was a leather strap placed on a better dog. Whatever he was asked to do he did, and no creature he was sent after but he caught. And there was no man living he would follow, or answer, save his master. When his master died, he lost heart. He followed the funeral as far as the ravine between Callart and the next farm; but he stopped there, and descended the ravine, where he was seen entering a cave, out of which he never returned. His name is preserved in the names of these two places ; for they are still called Brodum's Ravine and Brodum's Cave. GOBHAR NA CADHA RUAIDHE. Anns na làithibh a chaidh seachad is gann a bha baile 's a' Ghàidhealtachd gun bhadan ghobhar. B' àbhaist do 'n tuath an iomain gu srath, agus an cur a stigh do chrò nan gabhar 'san fheasgar gu bhi an sin air an leigeil. Air feasgar àraidh bha tuath Odhanaich ag cur nan gobhar gu baile an uair a thug iad fa-near coltas de ghobhair mhoir ghlais am measg an treid. Lean i so each math gu leòir gus am faca i iad air an iomain a stigh do 'n chrò. An sin bhrist i mach asda, agus thug i a h-aghaidh ris a' mhonadh. Chaidh na coin 'na deidh, agus thug iad di an droch bheubachadh mu'n do bhuidhinn i a' Chadha Ruadh. Ach an uair a ràinig i a' Chadha, thill i air an lodhainn, agus an iiine gle ghoirid chuir i dhachaidh iad 'san sgalartaich. An sin sheas i air mullach na Cadha agus thubhairt i: " B' e sin an cath cruaidh, A' Chadha Ruadh a thoirt a mach." An deidh dhi so a radh dh'fhalbh i; agus o sin gu so cha'n fhacas i an Odhanaich. THE GOAT OF THE RED PASSAGE. In bygone days there was scarcely a farm in the Highlands without a small flock of goats. The tenantry used to drive them to the low ground, and put them in the goat-fold in the evening, there to be milked. On a certain evening the tenantry of Onich were driving their goats farmwards when they noticed what appeared to be a large grey goat in the midst of the flock. She followed the rest quite well, until she saw them driven into the fold. Then she broke away from them, and set her face to the hill. The dogs went after her, and gave her a bad worrying before she won the Red Passage. But when she had reached the Passage, she turned on the pack, and in a very short time sent them yelling homewards. Then she stood at the top of the Passage, and said : "That was a hard bout. The Red Passage to make out." After saying this she departed; and from that day to the present she has not been seen in Onich. U AN LAOGH-ALLA. Bha an Laogh-alla a* leantainn nam bàthaichean bu shine 's a' Ghaidhealtachd. A rèir fear-mo-sgeòil, cha'n fhacas riamh e; agus air an aobhar sin cha b' urrainn e a ràdh cò ris a bha e coltach. Ach ged a bha e a ghnàth a' fuireachd as an t-sealladh, rinn se e fèin aithnichte ann an rathaidibh eile. Air uairibh bha e air a chluinntinn mu mharbh mheadhon-oidhche ag geumn- aich anns a' bhàthaich ; a bha daonnan togta aig at)n cheann de 'n tigh chòmhnuidh. Bha fios aig an tuathanach a chuala an sin a ghuth gu'n d'thainig cothrom 'na charaibh, agus gu'm bu choir dha fàth a ghabhail air. Le sin dh'èireadh e as a leabadh, rachadh e gun lòchran, gun choinneil, do'n bhàthaich, agus dh' iarradh e an creutair sithe anns an dorchadas. Na'n robh de shealbh air gu'm beanadh e dha, ghlacadh e le a ghàirdeanaibh e mu'n cuairt a chuirp, agus o'n uair sin dh'fhàsadh e 'na dhuine sona mu thimchioll feudalach. Is e sin ri ràdh gu'n soirbhich- eadh leis mar fhear togail agus glèidhidh sprèidhe; agus a thaobh gu'n robh saoibhreas a' Ghàidheil 'sna làithibh a chaidh seachad ag comh-sheasamh am mòr- chuid ann an sprèidh, tha e ag ciallachadh mar an ceudna gu'n cinneadh e 'na dhuine beartach agus soirbheach. Chualadh an Laogh-alla an uair mu dheireadh mu thuaiream deich agus tri fichead bliadhna roimhe so ann an Achadh an Dùin an Liosmòr. B'e am bàthaich THE WILD -CALF. The Wild-calf haunted the oldest byres in the High- lands. According to my informant, it was never seen ; and for that reason he could not say what it was like. But though it always remained invisible, it made its presence known in other ways. Sometimes it was heard at dead mid-night lowing in the byre, which was always built at one end of the dwelling-house. The farmer who then heard its voice knew that an opportunity had come within his reach, and that he ought to take ad- vantage of it. So he quietly got out of bed, went with- out lamp or candle to the byre, and groped in the dark for the weird creature. If he had the good fortune of touching it, he immediately embraced it with his arms round its body, and from that moment he became a lucky man about cattle. That is to say, he became a successful rearer and manager of cattle; and as the wealth of the Highlander of bygone days consisted mainly in cattle, it meant also that he turned out a rich and thriving man. The Wild-calf was last heard in Achanduin, in Lis- more, somewhere about seventy years ago. The byre 292 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. anns an cualadh e an treas bàthaich a bu shine 'san Eilean, agus b'e an t-àm 'san cualadh e, mar dh' fhaodadh diiil a bhi againn, marbh mheadhon-oidhche. Air do 'n tuathanach a bhi air a dhijsgadh le a gheum- naich, dh' eirich e a chHsge as a leabadh. Ach air dha bhi fo eagal dol 'na dhàil anns an dorchadas, las e coinneil, rug e air a' choinneil 'na làimh, agus an sin ghlac e de mhisnich gu'n deachaidh e do 'n bhàthaich leis fèin. Ach dh' iarr e an laogh an diomhain, a chionn gu'n do bhrist e aon de na cumhnantan air an do rinn se e fein aithnichte. Le sin chaill e a chothrom, agus cha d' fhuair e air-son a shaothrach ach ciir- iomchoire a mhnà. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE 293 in which it was heard was the third oldest in the Island; and the time of hearing it was, as we might have ex- pected, the dead hour of midnight. The farmer, awakened by its lowing, rose immediately out of bed. But fearing to come in contact with it in the dark, he lighted a candle, took the candle in his hand, and then mustered sufhcient courage to enter the byre alone. His search, however, proved useless, for he had violated one of the conditions on which it made itself felt. So he lost his opportunity, and got nothing for his trouble but his wife's reproaches. URUISG SGURR-A'-CHAORAINN. Bha Uruisg a' fuireachd roimhe so arm an creig chas aig bun Sgùrr-a'-Chaorainn an Lochabar. Bha an t-Uruisg so, a reir coltais, ro dhraghail do bhuachaille Bhlàr-a'-chaorainn an uair a thuiteadh dha a bhi a' dol rathad na Sgùrra. Cha robh feasgar a rachadh e seachad oirre, nach cuireadh an t-Uruisg a cheann a mach air toll an aodann na creige, agus nach glaodhadh e 'na dhèidh : " Bodach mac bhodaich 'ic bhodaich ! Tha sin de bhodaich a triùir : is bodach thu fhein, agus is bodach d' athair, agus 'na bhodach bithidh do mhac, agus bithidh mac an fhir sin 'na bhodach, agus bithidh sibh uile 'nur bodaich, ioc air an achd." An uair a dh' fhàg am buachaille so Blàr-a'- chaorainn, thàinig fear eile 'na àite ris an abradh a luchd-eòlais Domhnull Mòr. Cha robh Domhnull ach goirid air a' bhaile gus an robh e cho mor air a shàrachadh leis an Uruisg is a bha am buachaille a dh' fhalbh. Cha robh feasgar a thilleadh e o'n mhon- adh seach a' chreag nach glaodhadh e 'na dhèidh : " Dhomhnuill Mhoir, cha toigh leam thu." Bha an fhàilte so fada o bhi taitneach le Domhnull coir, ach ghlèidh e a bheachd dha fhein cho fada is a b' urrainn e. Mu dheireadh bha a fhoidhidinn cho glan air a claoidheadh le slor-sgallais an Uruisg is nach b' urrainn e cumail air fèin na b' fhaide. Air feasgar àraidh, is e a' tilleadh gu fuar, ocrach THE URISK OF SGURR-A-CHAORAINN. An Urisk once lived in a steep rock at the foot of Sgurr-a-Chaorainn in Lochaber. This Urisk was, it appears, very troublesome to the herd of Blar - a - Chaorainn, when he happened to go the way of Sgurr. Not an evening he passed it but the Urisk put his head out of a hole in the face of the rock and bawled after him : " Carl, son of carl, son of carl. There you have of carls three: — a carl are you, and a carl is your father, and your son will be a carl, and his son will be a carl, and you all will be carls, like it or not." When this herd left Blar-a-Chaorainn, there came in his place another whom his acquaintances called Donald Mor. Donald was but a short time on the farm, until he was as much annoyed by the Urisk as the herd that had left. Not an evening did he return from the hill past the rock but the Urisk bawled after him: " Donald Mor, I do not like you." This saluta- tion was far from being pleasing to honest Donald, but he kept his opinion to himself as long as he could. At length his patience was so completely worn out by the Urisk's continual jeering that he could not contain himself any longer. One evening, when returning, cold and hungry, from ago FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. as a' mhonadh, agus an t-Uruisg ag glaodhaich 'na dhèidh, mar b' àbhaist: " Dhomhnuill Mhòir, cha toigh leam thu," thionndaidh e air a shàil ann am feirg, agus ghlaodh e cho àrd is a rinn an t-Uruisg fhèin : " Cha'n 'eil sin ach comain duit." Sguir an t-Uruisg d'a sgallais; agus o sin gu so, cha chualadh a ghuth le duine air bith eile. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 297 the hill, and the Urisk bawling after him as usual : " Donald Mòr, I do not like you," Donald turned on his heel in wrath, and bawled as loud as the Urisk himself: "That is but the return you owe me." The Urisk ceased his jeering; and from that time to this his voice has not been heard by any other person. URUISG AN EASA BHUIDHE. Ann an Gleann-Màilidh an Lochabar, tha eas ùigeil ris an abrar an t-Eas Buidhe. Anns an eas so bha e air a ràdh gu 'n robh na h-Uruisgean ag gabhail fasgaidh ; agus b' ann làimh ris a bha bothain-àiridhe cuid de thuath a' ghlinne suidhichte. Bha aon de na h-Uruisgean, " Uruisg an Eas'-Bhuidhe *Na shuidhe 'n Gleann-Màilidh." ro dhraghail do the de na banaraichean a bha anns na bothain-àraidhe làimh ris an eas. Cha robh latha nach tigeadh e stigh do 'n bhothan far an robh i; agus nach cuireadh e seachad an iiine 'na shuidhe mu'n teine, a' feòraich cheisdean dhith, agus ag cur bacadh oirre 'na h-obair. Dh' fhàs i sgith dheth, ach cha robh fhios aice cia mar a ghràinicheadh i e gun chorruich nan Uruisgean eile a thionndadh 'na h-aghaidh. Mu dheireadh chlaoidheadh a foidhidinn cho buileach leis is gu'n do chuir i roimpe a bhi cuidhte is e, ciod air bith a thachradh. Air latha àraid a bha e 'na ghurrach mu'n teine mar b* àbhaist, dh' fheòraich e am measg a cheisdean, c' ainm a bha oirre. Fhreagair i gu'n robh: "Mi fhèin is Mi fhèin. " Is iongantach an t-ainm sin," ars esan. " Coma co dhiijbh, is e sin a tha orm." Bha poit mhèig air an teine, agus an uair a chaidh i g'a toirt dheth, bha esan 'san rathad oirre, mar bu ghnàth leis. Bhrosnaich so i cho mòr is gu 'n do leig THE URISK OF EAS BUIDHE. In Glen Mallie, in Lochaber, there is an eerie ravine called Eas Buidhe. In this ravine it was said that the Urisks took refuge; and near it were the summer pas- ture bothies of some of the farmers in the Glen. One of the Urisks, " The Urisk of Eas Buidhe, Sitting in Glen Maillie," was very troublesome to one of the dairymaids staying in the bothies near the ravine. Not a day passed but he came to the bothy where she lived; and he spent the time sitting at the fire, asking questions, and obstruct- ing her in her work. She grew tired of him, but she knew not how to rout him without turning the wrath of the other Urisks against her. At last her patience with him was so completely worn out that she resolved to get rid of him, happen what might. One day as he was crouching about the fire as usual, he asked, among his questions, what her name was. She replied that it was: " Myself and Myself." " That is a curious name," said he. '* Never mind, that is what I am called." A pot full of whey hung over the fire, and when she went to take it off, he was in her way, as usual. This so provoked her that she inten- 300 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. i d'a deòin le taom de'n mhèag ghoileach tuiteam m'a chasan, agus a sgaldadh. Leum e gu grad o a àite- suidhe, agus ruith e mach a' burralaich agus ag glaodh- aich gu'n do loisgeadh e. Cho luath is a chuala na h-Uruisgean eile so, ruith iad a nios as an eas 'na choinneamh, agus dh'fheòraich iad cò a loisg e. Fhreagair e gu 'n do loisg, " Mi fhèin is Mi fhèin." " O, ma's tu fhein a loisg thu, cha'n 'eil comas air; ach, na'm b' e aon air bith eile a rinn e, loisgeamaid e fhein agus na tha 'sna bothain-àraidhe leis. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 3OI tionally allowed a wave of the boiling whey to fall on his feet, and scald him. He sprang up quickly from his seat, and ran out, howling and crying that he was burnt. As soon as the other Urisks heard this, they ran up from the ravine to meet him, and asked who burnt him. He answered that it was " Myself and Myself." "Oh, if you have burnt yourself, it cannot be helped; but if anyone else had done it, we would have burnt him and all that is in the bothies along with him." ALASTAIR MOR AGUS AN T-URUISG. Bha Alastair Mòr 'na iasgair-slaite cho math agus cho tograch is a bha anns an àite d' am buineadh e. Cho luath is a chitheadh e coltas deagh fhroise a' tighinn, ghrad-thilgeadh e a shlat thar a ghualainn, agus air falbh 'na throtan ghabhadh e dh' ionnsaidh na h-aibhne. Air feasgar blàth samhraidh, agus ceòban math uisge ann, thug e an abhainn air, mar bu ghnath leis; agus an dèidh dha an t-slat a chur an òrdugh, thilg e mach leatha an acfhuinn. Cho luath is a bhean an dubhan do 'n uisge, thòisich an aon ghabhail air an iasg a b' fheàrr a chunnaic e riamh. Bha e a' slaodadh nam breac a stigh cho tiugh an dèidh a chèile is nach robh ùine aige feitheamh ri'n cur aon chuid air gad no air sreing. Ach thilg e iad air an fheur ghlas air bruaich na h-aibhne le run tilleadh air an son an uair a bhith- eadh an t-iasgach seachad. Bha a aire cho mòr air an obair a bha aige is gii'n d'thàinig an oidhche air gun fhios da. Thug e an sin stjil 'na dhèidh, agus cò a chunnaic e ag iasgach r'a thaobh ach Uruisg mòr is e a' toirt a stigh breac air a' bhreac ris, agus 'gan tilgeadh còmhla r' a chuid èisg-san air an fheur. Cha robh comas air, no feum aon diog a ràdh. Ach chuui e ièìn agus a chompanach air an iasgach, gus an deachaidh a' chuid a b' fheàrr de 'n oidhche thairis. An sin ghlaodh an t-Uruisg: "Is mithich stad, Alastair Mhòir, agus an t-iasg a roinn." " Ud! Ud!" BIG ALASTAIR AND THE URUISG. Big Alastair was as good and as keen a rod-fisher as there was in his native place. As soon as he would see the appearance of a good shower coming, he would instantly throw his rod over his shoulder, and he would hie away at a trotting pace to the river. On a warm summer evening, with a good drizzling rain falling accompanied with mist, he, as his custom was, betook himself to the river; and after getting his rod in order, he therewith cast out the tackle. As soon as the hook touched the water, the fish began to take better than he had ever seen them take before. He was hauling the trout in so thickly, one after another, that he had no time to wait to put them on either withy or string. He just threw them on the green grass on the bank of the river, with the intention of returning for them when the fishing was over. His attention was so much on his work that night came upon him without his observing it. He then gave a look behind him, and whom did he see, fishing at his side, but a great Uruisg, who was taking in trout for trout with him, and throwing them with his own catch of fish upon the grass. There was no help for it, and no use in saying a syllable. But he and his companion kept on at the fishing until the best part of the night was overpast. Then the Uruisg cried: " It is time to stop. Big Alastair, and divide the fish." "No! No!" said Big 304 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. ars Alastair Mòr, " cha mhithich idir, agus an t-iasg ag gabhail cho math." Gun tuilleadh a ràdh thill an t-Uruisg gu doicheallach ris an iasgach. An ceann ùine maithe 'na dheidh sin ghlaodh e rithis: " Stad a nis, 'Alastair Mhoir, agus roinneamaid an t-iasg." " Dean foidhidinn bheag fhathast," ars Alastair, "agus nach faca mi riamh roimhe, a leithid de ghabhail air an iasg." Rinn an t-Uruisg mar dh' iarradh air, ach cha b' ann gu toileach ; oir bha an latha a' tighinn, agus iasgach eile r'a dheanamh mu'n tigeadh e. Uime sin, an ùine ghoirid, ghlaodh e an treas uair air Alastair stad. Thuig Alastair o fhuaim guth na beiste nach robh feum 'sam bith tuilleadh dail iarraidh. Le sin thionndaidh e ris, agus thubhairt e: "Co dhiùbh a thrusas tusa an t-iasg, no roinneas tu iad?" Fhreagair an t-Uruisg: " Trusaidh mise iad, agus roinneadh tusa iad." " Cha 'n 'eil fios agamsa ciamar a roinneas mi iad," ars Alastair. " Hù ! cha'n 'eil sin duilich. Sgiolam shios, is sgiolam shuas; sgiolam thall, is sgiolam a bhos ; agus an sgiolam mhòr mu dheireadh dhomh fhèin." Cha do chord an roinn so ach dona ri Alastair Mòr, oir thuig e gu'ni b' esan an sgiolam mhor a b' àill leis an Uruisg fhaotainn air a earrainn mu'n tigeadh an latha. Ach ciod a bha e r'a dheanamh chum an trusdar a mhealladh ? Bha an latha a' tighinn, agus na'n cumadh e an obair neo-chriochnaichte gus an tigeadh e, bhitheadh e tèaruinte. Thòisich e air an iasg a roinn ach a reir coltais cha robh cabhag air an obair sin a chriochnachadh. Mur sleamhnaicheadh an t-iasg as a lamhan, rachadh an cunntas am mearachd air, no thachradh driod-fhortan eigin eile a chuireadh bacadh air. Bha an t-Uruisg ag call a fhoidhidinn, agus cha robh tubaist a thigeadh air Alastair nach robh ag cur teine r' a chorruich. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 305 Alastair, " it is not at all time, while the fish are taking so well." Without saying more the Uruisg returned sulkily to the fishing. A good while after that, he cried again: "Stop now. Big Alastair, and let us divide the fish." "Have patience a little longer," said Alastair, "considering that I never before saw the fish in such a taking humour." The Uruisg did as he was asked, but it was not willingly; for the day was approaching, and another fishing to accomplish before it would arrive. So, in a short while, he cried the third time to Alastair to stop. Alastair knew, from the tone of the monster's voice that there w^as no use whatever in asking a longer delay. Whereupon he turned towards him and said: " Whether wilt thou gather the fish, or divide them? " The Uruisg answered: "I shall gather them, and do thou divide them." " I do not know how to divide them," said Alastair. "Pooh! that is not difficult. A spratlum down, and a spratlum up ; a spratlum there, and a spratlum here; and the last big sprat- lum for me." This division pleased Big Alastair very indifferently, for he understood that he himself was the big spratlum which the Uruisg wished to have as his share of the fish before the day should come. But what was he to do to disappoint the nasty fellow ? The day was ap- proaching, and if he could keep the work unfinished until it came, he would be safe. He began to divide the fish, but to all appearance he was in no hurry to finish that task. When the fish would not slip out of his hands, he would make a mis- take in t'le counting, or some other mishap would occur to delay him. The Uruisg was losing his patience, and no mischance would befall Alastair which did not inflame his wrath. V 306 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Chrathadh e a cheann is a ghuaillean, phostadh e an talamh le a chasan, agus le guth leth-chrosda, leth- ghearanach ghlaodhadh e: " Nach toir thu an aire, Alastair Mhoir! nach toir thu an aire, Alastair Mhoir!" Ach leigeadh Alastair le a earail dol a stigh air an aon chluais agus a mach air a' chluais eile. Mu dheireadh dhùisg an coileach ruadh, agus thug e fuasgladh dha as a' chàs anns an robh e. Ghoir e air torn os ceann na h-aibhne, agus air ball chaidh an t-Uruisg as an t-sealladh. Thog Alastair leis an t-iasg, agus thill e dhachaidh. Ach o'n la sin gu la a' bhàis cha deachaidh e dh' iasgach bhreac air an abhainn an deidh do 'n oidhche tuiteam. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 307 He would shake his head and shoulders, stamp on the ground with his feet, and in a voice half angry, half plaintive, cry out: "Won't thou take care, Hig Alastair? Won't thou take care, Big Alastair?" But Alastair would suffer his remon- strance to go in at one ear and out at the other. At length the red cock awoke, and relieved him from the strait he was in. He crowed on a knoll above the river, and straightway the Uruisg went out of sight. Alastair took with him the fish, and returned home. But from that day to the day of his death he did not go to fish trout on the river after nightfall. EACH-UISGE PHOLL NAN CRAOBHAN. Anns na laithibh a dh' fhalbh bha Poll nan Craobhan, linne air abhuinn Spe, an Cromba, air a thathaich le each-uisge, a bha 'na aobhar eagail do 'n dùthaich mu'n cuairt air. Air uairibh àraid, bha e ri fhaicinn ag itheadh leis a' chrodh aig bruaich na h-aibhne; agus an sin b'e, a reir coltais, an t-aon each bu bhòidhche a chunnaic duine riamh. Bha a chraicionn cho dubh shliom ri sgiath an fhithich. Air a cheann bha srian loinnireach, agus air a dhruim diollaid le stiorapan airgid. Ach an uair a rachadh fear bu dàna na chèile tuilleadh is dliJth air, chuireadh aon sealladh d'a shùil cholgach gris troimhe a fhreumhaicheadh e ris an talamh, air chor is nach robh comas aige làmh no cas a ghluasad. Na'n di-chuimhnicheadh an duine, leis an eagal, e fein a chroiseadh, an sin tharruingeadh an t-each dubh bu bhòidhche dealbh, na bu dlùithe agus na bu dliiithe dha, agus dh'atharraicheadh sealladh fiadhaich a shijla gu sealladh ciùin an fheidh. An uair a thigeadh e nios ris an duine, dheanadh e sodal ris, a' suathadh a chinn shliom r'a bhroilleach. An uine ghoirid dh' fhagadh an t-eagal an duine, agus leumadh e 'san diollaid; agus an sin cho luath ri saighead o'n bhogha, leumadh an t-each a mach do Pholl nan Craobhan, Cha bhitheadh an duine ri fhaicinn tuilleadh, agus cha bhitheadh an t-each dubh ri fhaicinn fad latha is bliadhna. Laimh ri abhuinn Spe bha chòmhnuidh duine d' am b' ainm Iain Beag, B' àbhaist do dh'Iain Beag a* THE WATER-HORSE OF POLL NAN CRAOBHAN. In bygone days, Poll nan Craobhan, a pool on the river Spey, in Cromdale, was haunted by a water-horse which was the terror of the surrounding country. At certain seasons he was to be seen feeding with the cattle on the bank of the river; and then he seemed to be the most beautiful horse that man ever beheld. His coat was as black and glossy as the raven's wing. On his head was a glittering bridle, and on his back a saddle with stirrups of silver. But when any man, bolder than his fellows, approached too near him, one glance of the horse's fiery eye sent a thrill of tenor through him that rooted him to the earth, so that he could not move liand or foot. If, in his fear, the man then forgot to cross himself, the black horse of the most beautiful shape would draw nearer and nearer him, and the fierce glance of his eye would change to the mild look of the deer. When he would come up to the man, he would fawn on him by rubbing his shining head against his breast. Soon the man's fear would vanish, and he would spring into the saddle; and then, quick as an arrow from the bow, the black horse would plunge into Poll nan Craobhan. The man was to be seen no more, and the black horse was not to be seen for a year and a day. Near the river Spey lived a man named Little John. Little John usually spent a great part of the year in the 310 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. chuid mhòr de 'n bhliadhna a chaitheadh 's a' Bhlàr Bhuidhe a' deanamh mòna, agus air an aobhar sin theireadh iad ris am fad is am farsuingeachd na sgireachd, lain Beag a' Bhlàir-Bhuidhe. Ged bha Iain Beag, mar tha a ainm ag innseadh, ro bheag am pearsa, bha e cho neo-sgàtiiach, dàna ri aon de na Fiantaibh fein. Bha a smuaintean fad an la, agus a bhruadair re na h-oidhche, mu each-uisge Pholl nan Craobhan; agus b'iomadh innleachd gun rath a dhealbh e a chur as do 'n each. Mu dheireadh thall smaointich e gu'n rachadh e agus gu'n cuireadh e a chomhairle ri cailleach dhubh Allnaig; agus cha robh e fada a' fagail Beinn Chromba 'na dheidh. An uair a ràinig e bothan na cailHche duibhe, bhuail e aig an dorus, agus air ball thàinig an fhreagairt a mach : " Thig a stigh, Iain Bhig a' Bhlàir Bhuidhe, is ann domhsa is aithne ciod a tha thu ag iarraidh; agus CO aig am bheil fios nach cuir thusa agus mise teadhair air each dubh Pholl nan Craobhan fhathast. An deidh do dh' Iain Beag a leòir cabhruich agus bainne milis fhaotainn, ghabh a' chailleach dhubh a clach fhiosachd, agus dh'amhairc i innte iiine fhada. Mu dheireadh thog i suas a ceann, agus thubhairt i: ■' Nis, Iain Bhig, tha fhios agam gu math nach gealtair a tha annad, agus gu'n ceannsaich thu each-uisge Pholl nan Craobhan." " Cha'n 'eil fhios agam air sin," ars Iain Beag. " Cum a suas do mhisneach, agus cha'n eagal duit! Ach so an ni a dh' fheumas tu a dheanamh: Bithidh an t-each ag itheadh 'san Ion air feasgar Bealltuinne. An uair a thòisicheas a' ghrian air tèarnadh o a h-àirde 'san speur, marbhaidh tu an damh ballach. Cuiridh tu an sin an craicionn umad fein, agus falbhaidh tu air do làmhaibh agus air do chasaibh, cosmhuil ri damh. Roimli laighe na grèine, iomaineadh cuid-eigin thu fein agus an crodh gu taobh Pholl nan FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 3II Yellow Moss making peats, and on that account he was known over the length and breadth of the parish as Little John of the Yellow Moss. Though Little John, as his name indicates, was very small in person, he was as bold and fearless as one of the very Fèinn. His thoughts all day and his dreams by night were of the water horse in Poll nan Craobhan ; and many were the fruitless plans he formed for the destruction of the horse. At long last, he thought he would go and consult the black wife of Alnaic; and he was not long in leaving Cromdale Hill behind him. When he arrived at the hut of the black wife, he knocked at the door, and the answer came out at once: " Come in, Little John of the Yellow Moss; it is I who am aware what you want; and who knows but you and I may yet put a tether on the black horse of Poll nan Craobhan." When John had got enough sowens and sweet milk, the black wife took her divining stone, and looked into it for a long time. At last she lifted up her head, and said: " Now, Little John, I know well that you are no coward, and that you will subdue the water horse of Poll nan Craobhan." " I do not know about that," said Little John. " Keep up your heart, and there is no fear of you! But this is what you must do: The horse will be feeding on the meadow on Beltane-eve. When the sun begins to descend from his highest point in the sky, you will kill the speckled ox. You will then put the skin about yourself, and go on your hands and feet, like an ox. Before the setting of the sun let some- one drive yourself and the cows to the side of Poll nan 312 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. Craobhan. Cho luath is a laigheas a' ghrian, thig an t-each dubh a nios as an uisge, agus tòisichidh e air itheadh leis a' chrodh. A chionn gu'n amhairc thusa coltach ris an damh, bithidh an t-each air a chur as a umhail. Ach ma dh' fhairicheas, no ma nochdas tu an t-eagal is lugha, is diomhain a bhitheas aig do bhean sùil ri d' ath philleadh. Rach air d' athais na's dlùithe agus na's dliiithe do 'n abhainn, gus am faigh thu eadar an t-each agus an t-uisge; agus an sin is ann agad fèin a bhitheas a' choire, mur faigh thu an làmh an uachdair air. Cha'n 'eil 'san t-srèin aon chuid sparrag no smeachan ; agus, uime sin, an uair a gheibh thu dlùth gu leòir, bheir thu leum a dh' ionnsaidh na sreine, agus spionaidh tu dheth i. An sin bithidh an t-each dubh fo do smachd, agus ni e ni air bith is toil leat, cho fad is a chumas tu an t-srian uaith. Bi ciiramach mu 'n t-srein, air neo is ann duitse is miosa e. Nis, Iain Bhig, gabh do rathad." Chaidh Iain Beag dhachaidh, agus dh' fheith e gus an d' thàinig an latha roimh fheasgar Bealltuinne mu'n cuairt. Cho luath is a chaidh a' ghrian seach a h-àirde 'san speur, mharbh e an damh ballach. Chuir a' bhean an craicionn uime air dhòigh cho seòlta is gu'n do ghabh an crodh fein e air-son an daimh a chaidh a mharbhadh. Roimh laighe na greine dh' iomain i an crodh a dh' ionnsaidh bruaich na h-aibhne, agus lean esan iad mar a b' fhearr a dh' fhaodadh e. An uair a chaidh a' ghrian fuidhe, thàinig an t-each dubh a nios air a shocair as an linne, agus thòisich e air itheadh am measg a' chruidh. Ars Iain Beag ris fein: "A nis, a mhic m' athar fhèin, na bitheadh eagal ort, " agus ag gabhail air a bhi creimeadh an fheòir, mar bha e a' dol air aghaidh, fhuair e mu dheireadh eadar an t-each agus an t-uisge. An sin le cruaidh leum fhuair e greim air an t-srèin loinnirich, spion e bhàrr an eich FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 313 Craobhan. As soon as the sun sets, the black horse will come up out of the water, and begin feeding with the cattle. As you will look like an ox, the horse will be thrown off his guard. But if you feel or show the least fear, your wife will look for your return in vain. Draw nearer and nearer the river at your leisure, until you get between the horse and the water; and then it will be your own fault if you get not the better of him. The bridle has neither bit nor chin-strap ; and, therefore, when you get near enough, you will make a spring at the bridle, and pull it off. The black horse is then under your control, and will do whatever you wish, so long as you keep the bridle from him. Be careful of the bridle, or it will be the worse for you. Now, Little John, go your way." Little John went home, and waited till the day before Beltane-eve came round. As soon as the sun had crossed his highest point in the sky, he killed the speckled ox. His wife put the skin upon him in such a clever way that the very cows mistook him for the ox that had been killed. Before sunset she drove the cows to the bank of the river, and he followed as best he could. When the sun went down, the black horse came slowly up out of the pool, and began feeding among the cattle. Said Little John to himself: " Now, son of my own father, be not afraid," and pretending to be nibbling the grass as he went, he at last got be- tween the horse and the water. Then with a great spring he got hold of the glittering bridle, pulled it oflF 314 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. i, agus rug e air a bhad-mullaich air. " Hal Ha! a fhleasgaich, tha thu agam, a nis," ars e. Fhreagair an t-each: "Tha mi agad a nis, gu dearbh, Iain Bliig a' Bhlàir Bhuidhe; ach ma nochdas tu dhomhsa an caoimhneas a tha thu leigeil ris do na beathaichean eile a tha agad, ni mi seirbhis dhileas duit a la agus a dh' oidhche, gus an toir thu air ais dhomh mo shrian agus mo dhiollaid fèin le làimh maighdinn ; agus an sin cha chuir mi dragh tuilleadh air an dùthaich." "Chi sinn mu'n chùis sin," ars Iain Beag. Bu mhor eagal mnà Iain Bhig an uair a chunnaic i am beathach uamhasach air iomain a stigh do 'n stàbull ; ach dh' innis Iain Beag dhi gu 'n deanadh each-uisge Pholl nan Craobhan am fortan fhathast. Dh'fhalaich Iain Beag an t-srian agus an diollaid an àite uaigneach os ceann leabadh na ceàrna. Cha robh duine bu mho as fein na esan ; oir cha robh an ruith Spè each a dh'fhaodadh a choimeas ris an each dhubh dhreachmhor aige. Cha robh rathad air bith tuilleadh is garbh ri a shiubhal, no eallach air bith tuilleadh is trom ri a giùlan, no fodar air bith tuilleadh is làidir ri a itheadh leis. Le a chàrn mor fein dh' fhalmhaicheadh Iain Beag a nis am Blàr Buidhe de 'n mhòine na bu luaithe na chuireadh muinntir a' Chlachain a suas i 'na cruaich. Bha e a' fas beairteach, agus bha moran a' tighinn am fad agus am farsuinneachd a cheannach an eich dhuibh ; ach bha iad air am fàgail a philleadh dhachaidh as a eugmhais. Chaidh gnothuichean air an aghaidh mar so le Iain Beag fad gràinnein bhliadhnachan gu ruig latha a chaidh e fein agus a bhean gu faidhir an Clachan Chromba, agus an d'fhàg iad Sine Bhàn, an nighean, a dh' amharc as deidh an tighe. B' àbhaist do Shine Bhàin an t-each dubh a bhiathadh le a làimh fhèin, FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 315 the horse, and caught him by the forelock. " Ha, ha! my lad, I have you now," said he. The horse answered: " You have me now, indeed, Little John of the Yellow Moss; but if you will show me the same kindness as you show to your other animals, I will serve you faith- fully day and night, until you give me back my ow^n bridle and saddle by the hand of a maiden ; and then I will trouble the country no more." " We will see about that," said Little John. Great was the terror of Little John's wife when she saw the awful beast being led to the stable; but Little John assured her that the water-horse of Poll nan Craobhan would yet make their fortune. Little John hid the bridle and the saddle in a secret corner above the kitchen bed. No man was so proud as he; for no horse in the course of the Spey could be compared with his beautiful black horse. No road was too rough for him to tread, no load too heavy to carry. no fodder too coarse to eat. With his great sled-cart Little John could now empty the Yellow Moss of peats quicker than the men of the Clachan could build them into stacks. He was getting rich, and many came from far and near to buy the black horse ; but they were left to return home without him. Things went on in this way with Little John for some years, until one day he and his wife went to a fair at the Clachan of Cromdale, and left their daughter Sheena Vane to look after the house. Sheena Vane used to feed the black horse with her own hand, and 3l6 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. agus a mharcachd a dh'ionnsaidh an uisge; ach air an latha dhuÌDh, dhona ud, thuit dhi amas air an t-srein agus air an diollaid far an robh iad falaichte. Smaointich i gu 'm b' ann an sin a fhuair i an cothrom air aon reis fhada, mhath fhaotainn air druim an eich dhuibh; agus air falbh ghabh i leis an t-srèin agus leis an diollaid do 'n stàbull. An uair a chunnaic an t-each a uidheam fein, shitrich e rithe le gairdeachas mòr. An ùine ghoirid chuireadh e fo uidheam; ach cha bu luaithe bha Sine Bhàn 'na suidhe 'san diollaid na dh' fhalbh e le luathas na gaoithe, cha b' ann do Pholl nan Craobhan, ach do Lochan a bha làimh ri Clachan Chromba. An uair a bha iad a' dol troimh Ath Chroisg, choinnicheadh iad le Iain Beag agus le a mhnaoi, agus ghlaodh an t-each dubh riu 'san dol seachad: " Fhuair mi nis mo shrian agus mo dhiollaid o làimh maighdinn, agus cha chuir mi dragh air duine tuilleadh." Chunnacas an teach agus an nighean a' dol fodha an còmhail an cinn anns an aite bu doimhne de 'n Lochan, far an robh moran a' saoilsinn gu 'n robh e gun iochdar. B'e sin an sealladh mu dheireadh a fhuaradh de Shine Bhàin agus de each-uisge Poll nan Craobhan, ach cha b' ann an sin a chualadh an t-iomradh mu dheireadh mu Shine, mar chithear a nis. Bha e air a thoirt fa-near nach robh a' chuid de 'n Lochan anns an deach an t-each-uisge fodha le Sine Bhàin, a' reothadh, ciod air bith cho tiugh is a bhith- eadh an eigh air an uisge m' a thimchioll. Anns na h-oidhchean fuar geamhraidh, an uair a bhitheadh a' ghaoth a' seideadh gu cruaidh, agus a' sguabadh an t-sneachd 'na mhill thiugha o Bheinn Chromba, bhitheadh an glaodh tiamhaidh, brònach : "Is mise tha fuar, is mise tha fuar," air a chluinntinn os ceann fuaim na doininn, a' tighinn o'n Lochan, agus ag cur FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 317 ride him to water; but on this black, evil day she hap- pened to light upon the bridle and saddle, where they lay concealed. She thought to herself that now was her chance of having a good long ride on the black horse's back; and away she went with the bridle and saddle to the stable. When the horse saw his own furniture, he neighed at it with great delight. In a short time he was in harness ; but no sooner was Sheena Vane seated on the saddle than away he went with the swiftness of the wind, not to Poll nan Craobhan, but to a Lochan near the Clachan of Cromdale. As they were going through Achroisk they were met by Little John and his wife, and the black horse cried out in passing: " 1 have now got my bridle and saddle from the hands of a maiden, and I will trouble no man any more." The horse and the maiden were seen to plunge head- long into the deepest part of the Lochan, where many believed it had no bottom. That was the last that was seen of Sheena Vane and the water-horse of Poll nan Craobhan, but not the last that w-as heard of Sheena, as will presently be seen. It was observed that the part of the Lochan in which the black horse disappeared with Sheena Vane never froze over, however thick the ice might be on the sur- rounding w^ater. In the cold winter nights, when the wind blew strong, and swept the snow^ in blinding clouds from Cromdale Hill, an eerie, piteous cry of: " I am cold, I am cold," was heard above the noise of the storm, coming from the Lochan and sending a 3l8 FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. gaoir fhuar troimh chridheachan na dream a chuala e. Bliadhna an deidh bliadhna bha an guth muladach ceudna air a chluinntinn, gus an d'thàinig gobhainn a Gleann Braon, agus an do thuinich e 's a' Chlachan. Bha an gobhainn so air a theagasg le cailleach dhubh Allnaig, cionnus a labhradh e ri tannaisg; agus cho luath is a chuala e an glaodh brònach, thubhairt e gu'm faiceadh esan an athghoirid ciod a bha an tannasg ag iarraidh. Chaidh e mach a dh' ionnsaidh an Lochain, agus ghnathaich e na briathran a dh' fhoghluim e o'n chaillich dhuibh; agus dh' innis an tannasg dha nach b' urrainn e fois fhaotainn gus an leughadh an sagairt seachd aifrinn do dh'anam Shine Bhàine. Bha an aifrionn air a leughadh ; agus 'na dheidh sin cha chualadh an glaodh tiamhaidh : "Is mise tha fuar, is mise tha fuar." Is e theirear ris an Lochan gus an latha an diugh Bog-an-Loirein ; agus ris an àite, 'san robh Iain Beag a' Bhlair Bhuidhe ag gabhail còmhnuidh, Dail-a'-chapuill. FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORE. 3I9 cold chill through the hearts of those that heard it. Year after year the same mournful cry was heard, until a smith from Glen Braon came and settled in the Clachan. This smith had been taught by the black wife of Alnaic how to speak to ghosts; and when he first heard the piteous cry, he said that he would soon see what the ghost was wanting. He went out to the Lochan, and used the words he had learned from the black wife of Alnaic; and the ghost told him that h could find no rest until the priest had said seven masses for the soul of Sheena Vane. The mass was said, and the eerie cry of: "I am cold, I am cold," was not heard thereafter. The Lochan is called to this day Bog-an-Loirein ; and the place where Little John of the Yellow Moss lived, Dalchapple (Horsefield). NOTES Page 3 — "The white Red-eared Hound" occurs also in Folk and Hero Tales, Hi. p. 84. Compare also the toUowing passages : — "The physicians declared that nothing could cure him but the flesh of a perfectly white cow with red ears."— 5ooi of Fermoy, p. 36, where there is a note with further instances. "Morgan awoke on the morrow and saw the fifty white red-eared kine." — Voyage of Bran, i., ^5, 3. Before sunrise yesterday at Knightlowe, Warwickshire, the ancient cere- mony was enacted of collecting "wroth silver," payable to the Duke of Buccleuch. To the assembly round the wayside cross, beneath Scottish firs, the steward read the charter specifying a fine of twenty shillings for every penny not forthcoming, or forfeiture of a white bull with red nose and ears. — Scotsman, 1 2th November, 1909. R. T. Simpson, a local antiquarian, says that only once was the fine enforced during the last century, a white bull having been demanded by the steward of the late Lord John Scott, the then Lord of the Hundred, in a case where the money either was not paid at all or was not paid before sunrise. The beast was, however, rejected, as it did not fully answer the description. He goes on to say that the breed at Cadzow Castle does so, and in a lesser degree, those at Kilmory House, Argyllshire, and at Chillingham, Northumberlannd. — A Curious WarivickshWe Custom, Collection of "Wroth Silver," Rugby, 1884. Page 8 — " Blackening on the soles of her feet," &c A "run" found on p. 58, and also in Spiorad na h-Aoise (Gaelic Fairy Tales, 1907), a tale which has many features in common with Cathal O'Cruachan, as the last has with The Weaver' Son and the Giant of the White Hill, Curtins' Myths and Folk Lore, p. 64. Page i3^The Henwife is the mischief-maker. — Waifs and Strays, iii. 277. Page 15 — The tale concludes with a "tag" or "nonsense ending," so p. 55, 67, 95, &C. — See Waifs and Strays, iii, 185, Page 16 — The skill and supernatural power of smiths is early in evidence "Very sharp is Goibniu's science." — Thesaurus Palceohibernicus, ii. 248. This is a story of the Gael. When the battle of Moytura was being fought, Goibniu the Smith was in the forge making the weapons for the Tuatha De Danann, and Luchtine the Carpenter was making the shafts for the spears, and Credne the Brazier was making rivets for the same spears. Dicunt autem Scoti that 322 NOTES — continued. Goibniu the Smith faciebat iuutas by three actions, and the last action was the finish. Then Luchtine made the shaits by three cuts, and the last cut was the finish. Sk et Creidne Jaciebat the rivets. Goibniu used to hurl the spear-heads from the tongs, and they used to stick in the jamb. Luchtine used to cast the shafts after them, and it was enough to fix them in. Creidne used to hurl the rivets from the teeth ol the tongs, and it was enough to fix them in. Now, while Goibniu was at this thing a crime is charged against his wife. It appeared to him then that the story hurt him, and he grew jealous thereat. This is what he does. There was a pole in his hand when the story was told him, and about it the furnace of clay is made ; and he sang spells over that pole, and to every man who came to him he gave a blow of that pole. Then, if the man escaped, a lump full of gory liquid and matter was raised upon him, and the man burned like fire. Cormacs Glossary, p. 32, Tr. 123. St. Patrick prays to be protected against spells of women, smiths and wizards. — Hymn 48. Page 31. — " The purse burst." This tale and incident are referred to in Waifs and Strays, iii. 299. Page 34. — As to tailors and their information, see CampbelFs Language, Poetry, and Musk of the Highland Clans, p. 6. Page 37. — Chi mi sin, agus fuaighidh mi so, &c. A West Ross-shire variant to this expression runs — Cluinneam sin ach fuaghaim so, Chi mi sin agus fuaghaim so. Page 40 — Sorcha is •'Morvirn, Ardnamurchan, or both together." — Reliquia Celtica, i. 332, note, but Mr. MacDougall also agreed with Dr. Hyde that the name did not refer to any real country on the map [Waifs and Strays, ii. 456), but to the mjthical land of light. Cf.. The Book of the Dean of Lismore, p. 14, 16 (text), and notes, p. 21 (tr.), 141 ; Smith's Sean Dana, p. 174, 5. The name occurs in Old Celtk Romances, 262, fol, as does Ur, Uthar, p. 89. This tale is manifestly that version ot "The Knight of the Red Shield," referred to in W. H. Tales, ii. 470. Page 42 — Portair Iain Duibh. Maitm, writing of lona. Description of the Western Islands, p. 263, says " there was a tribe here called Clan Vic n-Oster [the modern òsdair] from Ostiarii, for they are said to have been Porters.'' The Portair itom whom the Clann a' Phortair MacNaughtons in Glenlyon derive their designation was a ferryman (a common meaning ot portair) on the Lyon, NOTES— iontmueJ. 323 The Portair Cam, the one-eyed ferryman, was a man sui generis, and so energetic in his movements that he became proverbial — Coslach ris a' Phortair Cham, Cha luaithe thall na bhos e. Like the One-eyed Ferryman, No sooner on that side than on this. Page 56 — Mr. MacDougall has a note bearing on this tale in Pl^aifs and Strays, iii. 276. Page 57 — " Cathai was to give his wife to the Herd of the Stud if he should lose." Cf. 'Twere my advice to thee if thou shouldst win of the Gruagach carsalach donn, to get the cropped rough-skinned maid that is behind the door tor the worth of thy gaming." — West Highland Talcs , i. 2. Midir, King of Faery, won back his fairy wife, Etain, by chess. — ^oyge of Bran^ ii. 52. Metrical Dindshenchas,'\\. %<). Loth pheallagach odhar (IV. H. Tales, i. 13), may refer to " peallaidh, a mysterious being with long untidy hair, haunting streams." — Celtic Hevieiv, v. 51. Presenting himself before the unsuspecting traveller in the servile appearance of a scabbed colt, the ghost will in this guise place himself in the traveller's way, as if to graze by the roadside. — Stezt,art's Highland Superstitions, p. 13. Page 58 — Madadh is probably the wolf. — J. M'D. Page 72 — A parallel to the bottle incident occurs in Jievue Celtique, iv. 187. Page 9 1 — "Three human bodies, holding their heads between their hands, stood before him." See the tale of Coluinn gun cheann, M^.H. Tales, Vi. loi. The phrase was almost proverbial — 'S e 'n trùp GhaJlta g'an robh 'chall sin, Bha colainn gun cheann air cuid diubh. D. Macintyre, p. 14. Ar is colann cen chend duine cen anmcharait. — Fèlire, p. xlvi., cxxix., ed. Stokes. Cf. CamphtWs JVitc/icni/t and Second Sight, p. 191. Page ICO— For reference to several Irish and other versions ot this tale, see Revue Celtique, iv. 185. Page 104 — Tàladh na mnatha sithe. The translation was made for Mr. MacDougall by Mr. Malcolm MacLucas. Page :o8 — " The women of Conall." Conall is represented as the Celtic Cupid, and the guardian deity of childhood. — Celt. Rev., v. 64. The cateinich, white-crested waves, are so styled. The reference, however, is to the "hairy" aborigines [cf gruagach, molach, &c. j, who in the main gave rise to the beliei in brownies and certain classes of the daoine sithe. Cf. The "shag-boy" in The Testimony of Tradition, p. IC7. — See also Celt. Rev. vi. I72. The meaning is that the child would reach the age of love-making, and the fairy folk would work for him and be his friends. 324 NOTES— ««/;«w. Page III — " MacKenzie thou'rt none." For some notices of the confusion between MacKenzie and MacLeod, see Maclan's Costumes of the Clans, p. 190. Keltie's History of the Highland Clans, ii. 191, 479. For Clann Conn, see Skene's Highlanders, p. 1 88. " Lochlannach na lann " occurs in Caithreim Ceallachain Caisil, § 63. Page 112 — A' bhean-chomuinn. A similar version, without translation, will he found in yi' Choisir-Chiùil, p. 58. Page 120 — Eadar da bhi an dorus. Ct. Bricrius Feast, p. 153 (Irish Texts. Society, vol. ii.), Fairies visit and flit on New- Year's Eve. " When they want beef or mutton with elf arrows they bring down their game," Keightly, p. 165. Cf. W.H. Tales, ii. 83, where it is said the arrow "was slender like a straw for thickness," and MacGregor's Highland Superstitions, p. 15. " These arrows are of stone, like a yellow flint, and shaped like a barbed arrow-head." — Stewart, p. 89. " This elf-arrow or elf-bolt was believed to be thrown by the fairies at cattle and men, and whoever had one in his possession was believed to be safe from fairy attacks. Water in which it was dipped restored to health those who were struck with sudden illness." — Fergusson's Scottish Social Sketches, p. 85. Page 128 — " He heard a voice coming from the root of every blade." Cf. Curtin's Talis of the Fairies, p. 29. Witches were believed to cany off" cows' milk by pretending to milk the hair tether. — See Jamieson's Scottish Dictionanj, sub voc. Milk the Tether. Page 139 — A good description of the view from the top of Scuir Eigg will be found in Leyden's Journal of a Tour in the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotl.ind in 1800,^. 158. Page 158 — "The inexhaustible meal chest." Cf. the Dagdae's Caldron — No company ever went from it unthankful. — Voyage of Bran, ii. 173. Page 160. — " My curse on thy teaching mouth." Probably the translation should run as Mr. Robertson suggests — " My curse on the mouth that taught thee." This view is strengthened by the similar phrase — "Beannachd dhuitse 's mollachd do d' oid-ionnsachaidh." — W.H. Tales, i. 12. " Well," said the Gruagach, " that is your son. I can't blame you for having him; but I blame your instructor for the information he gave you, and I give him my curse." — Curtin's Myths, &c., p. 145. Page 162. — "The two neighbours and their Hogmanay whisky, oi- the man who danced a year and a day with the fairies," is a shortened version of the extremely diverting tale given by Stewart, p. 62, and followed by Keightly, p. 386. It is much abbreviated in W.H. Tales, ii. 74. Page 168 — The tale is a superior version of Kallundborg Church. — Keightly's Fairy Mythology, p. 1 1 6, 1 1 7, note. As to divulging the fair)''s name. — Ct. Inge of Rantum, Keightly 232. Notes — contiimeJ. 315 Page 172 — "A Shrutha-Shliabh " is an attempt to derive the name of Stirling which in the Gaelic of to-day is Sruileadh, Sruibhleadh, or Sriobhladh, the last corresponding to the old Scottish form Strivling, or Strivelin. But the name 01 Snowdon, Snowden, or Snowdun was also applied to Stirling, and is probably derived from Snuad, river, and dun, enclosure, fort, or hill, and thus corresponds in meaning to the word in the text. Page 174 — "The fairies were excellent musicians." Ct. "To the minstrel we listened then — his melody admitted not of indifTerence — it lacked but little that the swelling music, well sustained, had lulled us all to sleep." — Silva Gadelica, ii. 116. Cf. The wonderful musical gifts of the Stromkarl, "the trees dance, and waterfalls stop at his music." — Keightly, p, 152. Page 176. — The phrase translated "'skill without success," occurs W.H. Tales, ii. 98, mistakenly translated "speechless art, or artless speech; also in Campbell's Superstitions, p. 161, "ingenuity without advantage." Another version of the MacCrimmon legend will be found in Campbell's Superstitions, p. 139. Page 180 — The Kiss ot the King's Hand. A pibroch so named will be found in Thomason's Ceol Mor, p. 156. There is also in existence a pibroch called Uaimh an Oir, though probably referring to a different incident. As MacCrimmon entered the cave he encountered a wolf and played — 1$ truagh tha mi gun tri làimh Dà làmh 's a' phlob is làmh 's a' chlaidheamh. See J. A. MacCulloch's The Misty Lie o/Sive, p. 242. Page 186. — Duthil. Mr. MacDougall had decided on writing Daoghall, the correct Gaelic. Page 192. — Fairies meet periodically to fight. — Sil-va Gadelica, ii. 224; Voyage of Bran, ii. 21 5. Page 196— The sword MacGillony. The Highlander had fanciful names tor his weapons. Duncan Maclntyre applied them freely to guns and halbert as well. For names of swords, cf. W.H. Tales, iii. 402, verse 19, and note. A drawn sword was a special protection from the fairies. " He caused set fiirth the said James Glen, his alone betwixt nyne and ten in ane winter night, and bade draw ane compas about the said James with ane drawn sword, and that the said Stein went out his alone into the yaird to hold affe the fairye from the said James." — Stirling Pres. Records, quoted in Stcial Sketches, p. 78. A piece of cold iron or steel put into the bed of a lady "uneasy in her circum- stances," will protect mother and offspring from being "fayed." — Stewart's Highland Superstitions, p. 9 1 • Page 199. — "Fairy sweetheart" or this and other parts ot these tales, cf. Keltic's The Scottish Highlands, i. 305, 7. 326 TSiOTES— continued. Page 102. — Very different from the foregoing (says Mr. MacDougall) was the version current in Craignish in my boyhood. Murdoch of the golden locks was a famous deer-hunter, who continued to follow his favourite occupation of pursuing the deer until he became a blind old man. Being then no longer able to provide for himself, he was led, by his unnatural son, to Ben-an-Or. his former hunting-ground, and left there to perish of cold and hunger. He sat down alone on the mountain side, and as he meditated on his helpless condition, his thoughts were directed to a Higher Source for deliverance, and he gave them expression in the following verses ; — "Is mise Murchadh Buidhe nam Fiadh, A dh' fhkgadh air sliabh Bheinn an Oir Is ged tha mi aosda, liath, Is fhurasda do Dhia mo dheanamh òg." [ I am Yellow Murdoch of the Deer, Left on the slope of Ben-an-Or; And albeit I am old and sere, God can make me young once more. ] The legend adds that as the result of his pious trust in a Higher Power, he recovered his sight, and regained sufficient strength to enable him to return home without any human assistance. Page 204. — " The Hunchback of the Willow Brake," cf. "The Legend 01 Knockgrafton" in Joseph Jacob's More Celtic Fairy Tales, p. 154. Page 214 — The Caointeach (or Caoineag, Celt. Reii., v. 50), resembles the Banshee who expressed themselves in the golgaire, or wail. " They gave forth their lament on going from him, so that they moved the persons who were in the Lios exceedingly. It is from the lament cry of the women of the Side that t-ie musicians of Ireland have retained it." Tain Bo Fruich, 149, and note. O'Curry, On the Mann., iii. 383. MacLachlan, Celtic Gleanings, p. 76, speaking 01 the Mackays ot the Rhinns in Islay, says — "This tribe crossed at a late period to Ireland and became Magees." MacD. in his MS. calls them the Clan Magee. Page 216 — " Gruagach, a female spectre of the class of Brownies, to which the Highland dairymaids made frequent libations of milk, frisked and gambolled about the cattle pens and folds, armed only with a pliable reed, with which she switched all who annoyed her by uttering obscene language, or by neglecting to leave for her a share of the dairy produce." — MacGregor's Highland Superstitions, p. 33. Gruagach, now a common word for "girl," means "hairy," a fact which emerges as well known in the Speyside synonym Meg Mholach, haiiy Meg Stewart, p. 98). Gruagach, wizard-champion, is masculine in Old Celtic Romances, p. 248; The Laughing Gruagach, Curtin's Myths, &c., p. 114; The Fitherman's ì<50TES — contlnufd. 317 Son and the Gmagach o{ the Tricks, p. 139; and in Il^ai/s and Strjys, ii. 97. All these partalie of a common character with the Brownie-clod, so called from a habit he had of flinging clods at passers-by. — Keightly, p. 395. 'I'he phonetic Gaelic of Keightly, p. 384, thus corrected, Fhuair Brùnaidh cot' is ciirrac, 'S cha dean Brùnaidh obair tuilkadh, might, mutatis mutandis, apply to several of our tales. See Campbell's Superstitions , Index. Page 228. — '-Sheiling bothy" life, for an excellent account hereof, by Dr. Carmichael, see Skene's Celtic Scotland, iii. 385. Page 230. — "The Strath Dearn hunter," similar details will be found in Stewart's Highland Superstitions,^. 1 3 2. Page 234 — Glaistig occupied a middle position between the fairies and man- kind. She was not a fairy woman, but one of human race who had a fairy nature given her.— Campbell's Superstitions, p. 157. See the whole essay, where some of the tales 01 our text are mentioned. — The Glaistig at Glenduror, p. 162: Selvach MacKelvie, p. 174; and the Onich Brothers, p. 181. Page 240 — Another (and superior) version of the Croon of Ben Breck is found in W.H. Tales, ii. 369. A translation by John Campbell Shairp of a version resembling Mr. MacDougall's appears in Lyra Celtica, p. 277. Page 253. — "He went to the river Spean to fish." "Over Connla's Well grew nine beautiful mystical hazel trees, which annually sent forth their blossoms and fruits simultaneously. The nuts were of the richest crimson colour, and teemed with the knowledge of all that was refined in litera- ture, poetry and art. No sooner, however, were the beautiful nuts produced on the trees than they always dropped into the well, raising by their fall a succession of shining red bubbles. Now, during this time the water was always full of salmon, and no sooner did the bubbles appear than these salmon darted to the surface and ate the nuts, after which they made their way to the river (Shannon). The eating of the nuts produced brilliant crimson spots on the bellies of these salmon ; and to catch and eat these salmon became an object of more than gastronomic interest among those who were anxious to become distinguished in the arts and in literature without being at the pains and delay of long study ; for the fish was supposed to have become filled with the knowledge which was con- tained in the nuts, which, it was believed, would be transferred to those who had the good fortune to catch and eat them. Such a salmon was on that account called the Eò Fe;isa, or Salmon of Knowledge ; and it is to such a salmon that we sometimes meet a reference among our old poets, where, when speaking ot objects 3»8 ìiOTES—contmuei/. which they pretend to be above description, they say, "unless they had eaten of the salmon of knowledge, they could not do it justice." — O'Curry On the Mann., ii. 143, So Cormac^Tx. sub Caill Crinmon, p. 35. Cf. " The Song of Finn Mac Cool, composed after his eating of the salmon of knowledge." — Lyra Celtica, p. 4, note p. 375. Page 258 — This story, or one similar in its main features, suggested to Scott his first original ballad, Glenfnlas. Page 260 —"The black cock of March." Curtin, Tales of the Fairies, p. 115, says — A cock hatched in March from a cock and hen hatched in March. MacD. has this note — Is e sin coileach-tighe, dubh 'san dath, agus a thugadh a mach am mios a' Mhàirt. Cha 'n 'eil coileach eile a ghlaodhas cho fior. Goiridh e 's a' mhionaid a thionndaidheas an oidhcbe gu la. Coileach dubh a' Mhàirt Coileach is fire 'tha. That is, a domestic cock, hatched in March, and black in colour. No other cock crows so true. He crows at the very moment when night turns to day. The black cock or March, The truest in existence. Campbell's Superstitions, p. 88, says — " A black cock born fsicj in the busy time of the year," probably seed time. See Faclair Gaidhlig, sub Mart. Page 294 — C.M.R. would read iochd air nachd, and refers to ichd-air-neachd, at all events, — O'Reilly's Irish Dictionary, p. 300. Page 298 — Mi fhein is mi fhein. Cf. W.H. Tales, ii. 206. Page 308. — The Lowland form of the name "Poll na Craobhan " occurs in an old rhyme at one time popular on Avonside and Speyside :— And sit weel, Janetie, And ride weel, Davie, And your first stop will be The bottom of Pot Cravie. Page 310 — The Alnaic is a rugged stream that flows into the Avon at Delnabo, near Tomintoul, Archibald Sinclair, Printer, 47 Waterloo Street, Glasgow s ^- Vi*