Matheson Collection > Popular tales of the west Highlands > Volume 1

XVIIr.
THE SLIM SAVAETHY CHAMPION.
From James Wilson, blind fiddler, Islay, 1859.
rilHERE was a poor man dwelling in Arc! na h-Uamh,
-*- and a son was born to him, and he gave him school
and learning till he was fourteen years of age. When
he was fourteen years of age, he said to his father,
"Father, it is time for me to be doing for myself, if
thou wouldst give me a fishing-rod and a basket."
The poor man found every chance till he got a fishing-
rod and a basket for him. When he got the fishing-rod
and the basket, he went round about Loch Aird na h-
Uamh, and took down (by) Loch Thorabais ; and after
he had fished Loch Thorabais closely, he came to Loch
Phort an Eillean ; * and after he had fished Loch Phort
an Eillean before him, he took out by Loch Allalaidh.
He stayed the night in Aird Eileastraidh, and every
trout he had he left with a poor woman that was there.
On the morrow he thought that he would rise out,
and that he would betake himself to Eirinn. He came
to the garden of Aird Inneasdail, and he plucked with
him sixteen apples, and then he came to Mull of Otha. f
He threw an apple out into the sea, and he gave a step
* The lake in which is the island where the Lords of the Isles
had their dwelling.
+ The nearest point to Ireland.