Blair Collection > Beside the fire

PAUDYEEN O KELLY AND THE WEASEL. 85
at all that ale or wine are wanting, come here and
draw. Farewell now ; go to sleep, and come again to
me to-morrow night."
Paudyeen went to bed, and it wasn't long till he fell
asleep.
On the morning of the day on the morrow, Paudyeen
went home, and brought his wife and children to the big
house, and they were comfortable. That night Paudyeen
went down to the cellar ; the little man welcomed him
and asked him did he wish to dance r"
" Not till I get a drink," said Paudyeen.
" Drink your 'nough," said the little man : " that barrel
will never be empty as long as you live."
Paudyeen drank the full of the goblet, and gave a
drink to the little man. Then the little man said to
him :
" I am going to Doon-na-shee (the fortress of the
fairies) to-night, to play music for the good-people, and
if you come with me you'll see fine fun. I'll give you
a horse that you never saw the like of him before."
" I'll go with you, and welcome," said Paudyeen ;
" but what excuse will I make to my wife V
" I'll bring you away from her side without her kn ow-
ing it, when you are both asleep together, and I'll bring
you back to her the same way," said the little man.
'• I'm obedient," says Paudyeen ; ♦' we'll have another
drink before I leave you."
He drank drink after drink, till he was half drunk, and
he went to bed with his wife.
When he awoke he found himself riding on u besom
near Doon-na-shee, and the little man riding on another