Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 12

Maeanl GlenfJnodhag. T^yy
day's journey he came upon a solitary cottage in an out-of-the-
way place, and entered it with unceremonious swagger and spirit.
Its sole occupant was an old bachelor, a weaver, who was busily
plying his shuttle across his loom. Interrupted by the appear-
ance of such a heroic stranger, he gazed at him in silent amaze-
ment. MacCuil said (the conversation took place in Gaelic),
"I came here to make my stay for the night." The weaver re-
plied, " I never allow any person to stay under my roof without
first asking leave." MacCuil answered, " I am to remain whether
you will allow me or not." The weaver got up from his loom
and said, " We will see." He at once set about expelling the
intruder. The tussle was long and strong. At one time Mac-
Cuil would be near the door, at another time the weaver would
be sent back to the far-off end of his house near the loom. The
weaver was lithe and powerful. In this affair honour was con-
cerned and his rage aroused. He set to with might and main to
eject the bold, unmannerly bully from out his house. At last he
sent him reeling out to a considerable distance. MacCuil, seeing
that he was not quite a match for the weaver, begged to be allowed
to have a night's lodgings, feeling crestfallen enough, no doubt.
His request was at once generously granted. He got the best
fare the house could provide, and he and the weaver became the
best of friends.
We hear no more of MacCuil nor of his adventures by the
way until we find him arrived a stranger at the Mill of Belladrum,
where at once his appearance attracted considerable attention.
It was an important day for the Belladrum tenantry. Many of
them congregated along with Belladrum himself to see a new
millstone placed in the mill. The stone was heavy, and tried the
strength and skill of all those who could get about it to raise it to
its place. MacCuil came up and told the whole set (graisg) of
them to be out of his way, and that he would alone put the stone
into the right place. They made way for him, he at once set
the stone standing on edge, crouched at the back of it, made
it rest on his back, and then put his hands under it backways.
He then rose up with his load and carried it to its place, astonish-
ing the natives by his strength. Mr. Fraser of Belladrum thanked
him for his kindness, and invited him to dinner, although he was