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

THE FOUR HUNTERS AND THE FOUR
GLASTIGS.
In one of the past centuries four hunters went a-hunting
to the Braes of Lochaber. After the day's sport was
over, they betook themselves to a summer-pasture bothy
to pass the night. They reached the bothy in the dark;
and after kindling a fire and taking supper, they sat
down about tne hearth and began to converse. They
felt very comfortable; and three of them said, in fun,
that they wanted nothing now but the presence of their
sweethearts to make them as happy as the king.
" Goodness between me and that (wish)," said the
fourth hunter.
The conversation then ceased, and the three hunters
withdrew to a corner of the bothy, but the fourth stayed
where he was.
Shortly after that four women entered the bothy,
having the form and appearance of the sweethearts of
the hunters. Three of them went over, and sat beside
the three hunters in the corner; but the fourth stood
before the hunter who was seated at the fire.
When the hunter sitting at the fire noticed this, he
drevi' his dirk from the scabbard, and laid it across his
knees. Then he took two trumps out of his pocket, and
began to play on them. The woman standing before
him noticed this and said: —
" Good is the music of the trump.
Saving the one note in its train.
Its owner likes it in his mouth
In preference to any maid."