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

THE SON OF THE SCOTTISH YEOMjVN. 24I
They returned home that night.
"Poor fellow," said the chief magistrate to his ser-
vant by the -way, " I am very well satisfied with you
since I got you. I am not willing to lose you now.
You are foolish. The bishop ^\'ill take care that neither
you nor any other man will steal the horse. He'll
have him watched."
When night came, the young man started, and set
to work ; he went to the bishoj^'s house. What did
he find out there, but that they had the horse in a
room, and men along with it, who were busy eating
and drinking. He looked about him, and soon saw
ihat he would require another clever felloAv along with
him. In looking about, who does he find but one of
the loose fellows about the town.
"If you go along with me for a little time," said
he, " I will give you something for yoiir pains."
" I'll do that," said the other.
He set off, and at the first start, both he and his
man reached the hangman of the city.
" (/an you tell me," said he to the hangman, " where
I can gf;t a dead man Ì "
" Yes," said the hangman, " there was a man hanged
this very day, after midday."
" If you go and get him for me," said the young
man, " I'll give you something for your pains."
The hangman agreed, and went away with him to
where the body was.
"Do you know now," said the young man, "where
I can get a long stout rope ? ''
" Yes," said the hangman, " the rope that hanged
the man is here quite convenient ; you'll get it."
They set off with the body, both bimself and his
man. They reached the bishop's house. He said to
his man when they had reached —