Agnews of Lochnaw

402 AN UNCANNY SHIPWRIGHT. [16S3.
antiquities ; and the castle which then had passed by exchange
into the hands of the Earls of Stair, being out of repair, its walls
were deliberately used as a quarry for building-material for the
neighbouring farms. As a single instance of this Vandalism, we
may mention that the entire steading of Bilyett, dwelling-house
and all, was raised at the expense of the ruined castle of
Innermessan. 1
In its palmy days Innermessan was famous both for boat-
builders and wizards.
Once upon a time, a notorious warlock named Peter, known
also as a cunning shipwright, was employed to build a boat at
Ballantrae. As he busily shaped the timbers, surrounded by
many lookers-on, a rider was seen descending Drumconal at a
tremendous pace, and approaching the ford of the Stinchar.
(This was many a clay before the bridge was built.) " The laddie
goes hot-foot," remarked one of the idlers. "Does he?" rejoined
the seer; "he'll just bide there a bit." Peter then laid his
enchantments upon him so quickly and so effectually, that the
man's horse was arrested in his stride; his hind hoofs fixed
firmly in the ground ; his forelegs curved in a semicircle ; rider
and steed were rooted to the spot in such an attitude as we
have been accustomed to associate with another great Peter's
statue on the Neva. Then Peter of Innermessan, having gratified
his audience with this interesting tableau, coolly proceeded
with his work, until presently it pleased him, with a muttered
" Gang yer gate!" to allow the rider to proceed upon his journey.
The fishermen of Ballantrae, superstitious like others of their
calling, chuckled at the idea of the luck that must attend the
1 Very different would have been the fate of the ruin, had it existed at the
succession of the present noble proprietor. "We were told by the tenant of
Innermessan, that having disinterred some old bricks which had been used in
some of the outbuildings of the castle, they were observed by the Earl of Stair,
who happened to be passing in his carriage a few days after on his way to Edin-
burgh. The Earl immediately stopped and got out, examined them with great
interest, and was so loath to see such curious relics of old times thrown carelessly
upon the road, that he gathered up a large number, which he carried off as curi-
osities.