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

35^ WEST HIGHLAND TALES.
" It is that I will make a Sun Goddess of myself, and tliou
shalt give me to tbe big women," said the fox.
" I had rather part with the Sun Goddess herself than thee."
" But never thou mind, Brian, they wont keep me long."
Here Brian went in with the fox as a Sun Goddess, and he
got the White Glave of Light. Brian left the fox with the big
women, and he went forward.
In a day or two the fox overtook them, and they got on him,
and when they were nearing the house of the big giant,
" Is it not a great pity for thyself, oh Brian, to pai-t with the
White Glave of Light for that filth of a marvellous bird."
" There is no help for it," said Brian.
"I will make myself a White Glave of Light," said the fox ;
" it may be that thou wilt yet find a use for the White Glave of
Light."
Brian was not so much against the fox this time, since he saw
that he had got off from the big women.
" Thou art come with it," said the big man. " It was in the
prophesies that I should cut this great oak tree, at one blow,
which my father cut two hundred years ago with the same
sword."
Brian got the marvellous bird, and he went away.
He had gone but a short distance from the giant's house, when
the fox made up to him with his pad to his mouth.
" What's this that befel thee," said Brian. " Oh, the son of
the great one !" said the fox, "when he seized me, with the first
blow he cut the tree all but a small bit of bark ; and look thyself
there is no tooth in the door of my mouth which that filth of a
Bodach has not broken."
Brian was exceedingly sorrowful that the fox hail lost the
teeth, but there was no help for it.
They were going forward, walking at times, and at times
riding, till they came to a spring that there was by the side of the
road.
" Now, Brian," said the fox, " unless thou dost strike off my
head with one blow of the White Glave of Light into this spring,
I will strike off thine."
" S'tia !'' said Brian, " a man is kind to his own life," and he
swept the head off him with one blow, and it fell into the well ;