Matheson Collection > Folk tales and fairy lore in Gaelic and English

FOLK TALES AND FAIRY LORK. I9
you can do nothing of the kind, but that I'll make some-
thing to surpass the thing you will make." The
heroes parted, promising to meet at next fair, having
with them the thing they were to make.
At the close of the day the Swarthy Smith returned
home in the cart as usual. Next morning he turned
out to the smithy, and began to make more socks.
He kept at them day after day until the day before
the market arrived. In the evening a gentleman came
to the smithy and said to the Swarthy Smith: " Have
you no word at all of making something with which
you are going to win the bet from the King's Smith ?
If you do not begin quickly, be sure you will lose."
The Swarthy Smith replied: "I do not know what
you mean ; I am not aware that I laid any bet with the
King's Smith." "You did," said the gentleman; " I
was within hearing, and mine own ears heard you lay
three hundred merks against him." " Well, then,
I will lose, for I never learned to make anything in
the world with the exception of socks," said the Swarthy
Smith. " Keep up your courage," said the gentle-
man, " if you will give me half of what you win
I'll make something for you which will win the bet."
" I will give you that with all my heart," said the
Swarthy Smith.
Without further delay the gentleman set to work.
First he made a good lump of a box. After that he
placed a large piece of iron in the forge, and in a
short time drew it out a deer-hound. And when
everything was finished, he put the deer-hound into
the box, and closed the lid over him.
" Now," said the gentleman, turning to the smith,
" when you go aw^ay to-morrow^ with the socks, you