Ossian Collection > Peat-fire flame

THE PEAT-FIRE FLAME
" Among US giants," replied the father-in-law, " the legs
of the birds we consumed were heavier than the hindquarters
of the biggest of your oxen."
For this utterance the old giant was laughed to scorn ; and
it was explained that only his great age and blindness could
account for a remark so fantastic. But the giant was
determined to vindicate himself.
" Bring me my bow and three arrows," he said to his
man-servant, " and lead me out by the hand to yon corrie
in the Balnagown Forest."
" Do you see a rock yonder? " he continued.
"I do ! " replied his man-servant.
" Are there rushes at the base of it? " he enquired.
" There are," answered the man-servant.
" And do you see a step in the face of the rock? "
" I do," responded the man-servant.
" Take me, then, to that step," said the giant. This the
man-servant did.
" Look now, and tell me what comes ! "
" I see birds," the servant replied.
" Are they larger than common? "
" No, no larger than in Fearn," the servant replied.
" What are you seeing now? " continued the giant after
a moment's pause.
" More and more birds ! "
" And are they larger than common ? "
" Three times bigger than eagles ! " replied the servant.
" And are you still seeing birds? " asked the giant.
" Yes, the air is black with them. The biggest of them
is bigger three times than the biggest ox ! "
" Guide my hand on the bow, then," the giant requested.
And so well did the man-servant guide his master's hand
that the arrow brought down among the rushes at the foot
of the rock the largest of the birds.
" Take home a hindquarter ! " said the giant. And so,
between them, giant and servant conveyed home to the cave
the ponderous hindquarter.
When they entered the cave, carrying with them their
burden, the son-in-law set eyes upon the hindquarter; and
he was straightway mvstified, since it was so enormous.
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