Blair Collection > Beside the fire

THE ALP-LUACHRA. 7 1
hold of it. But if he put in his fingers quick, the old
alt-pluachra went back quicker.
" Oh, you behoonach ! '' cried the prince, " what made
you do that? Didn't I tell you not to let a stir out
of you ? Remain quiet if she comes up again."
They had to remain there for half an hour, because
the old mother of the alt-pluachras was scared, and she
was afraid to come out. But she came up at last, per-
haps, because there was too much thirst on her to let her
stand the smell of the water that was tempting her, or
perhaps she was lonesome after her children going from
her. Anyhow, she came up to his mouth, and stood there
while you would be counting about four score ; and
when she saw nothing, and nothing frightened her, she
gave a jump down into the water, like her clutch before
her ; and the plop of her into the water was seven times
heavier than theirs.
The prince and the other two had been watching the
whole, and they scarcely dared to breathe, for fear of
startling the horrid beast. As soon as ever she jumped
down into the water, they pulled back the man, and put
him standing again on his two feet.
He was for three hours before he could speak a word ;
but the first thing he said was : " I'm a new man."
The prince kept him in his own house for a forthight,
and gave him great care and good feeding. He allowed
him to go then, and the daughter and the boccuch with
him ; and he refused to take as much as a penny from
them.
" I'm better pleased than ten pounds on my own hand,"
said he, "that my cure turned out so well; and I'd be
long sorry to take a farthing from you ; you lost plenty
with doctors before."