Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 2

XXIII.
THE BUEGH.
From Alexander M'Donald, tenant, and others, Barra. July 1859.
IT^OUE were watching cattle in Bailebliurgh (Burgli
J- Farm). They were in a fold. The four were
Doniliuull MacGhilleathain, Domhnull Macant' Saoir,
Calum MacNill, and Domnull Domhnullach. They
saw a dog. Calum MacNill said that they should
strike the dog. Said Domhnull MacGhilleathain, " "We
will not strike. If thou strikest him thou wilt repent
it." Calum MacNill struck the dog, and his hand
and his arm lost their power. He felt a great pain in
Ms hand and his arm, and one of the other lads car-
ried his stick home ; he could not carry it himself.
He was lamenting his hand, and he went where there
was an old woman, ISTic a Plii, to get knowledge about
his hand. She said to him that he would be so till
the end of a day and a year ; and at the end of a day
and year, to go to the knoll and say to it, " K thou
dost not let with me the strength of my hand, I
or my race mil leave neither stick nor stone of thee
that we \YÌ11 not drive to pieces."
At the end of a day and year his comrades said,
" There is now a day and year since thou hast lost
the power of thy hand, come to the knoU till thy hand
get its power, as the woman said." He went himself
and his comrades. They reached the hill. He drew