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

44^ WEST HIGHLA^^D TALES.
carlin, whose like was never seen. There was the
tooth that was longer than a staff in her fist, and the
one that was shorter than a stocking wire in her lap.
She came up to the battle-field, and there were two
between her and him. She put her finger in their
mouths, and she brought them alive ; and they rose
up w^hole as best as they ever were. She reached him
and she put her finger in his mouth, and he snapped
it ofi" her from the joint. She struck him a blow of
the point of her foot, and she cast him over seven
ridges.
" Thou pert little wretch," said she, " thou art the
last I will next-live* in the battle field."
The carHn went over another, and he was above
her; he did not know how he should put an end to
the carhn ; he thought of throwing the short spear that
her son had at her, and if the head should fall off her
that was well. He threw the spear, and he drove the
head oft' the carlin. Then he was stretched on the
battle-field, blood and sinews and flesh in pain, but
that he had whole bones. What should he see but
a musical harper about the field.
" What art thou seeking ? " said he to the harper.
" I am sure thou art wearied," said the harper ;
" come up and set thy head on this little hillock and
sleep."
He w^ent up and he laid down ; he drew a snore,
pretending that he was asleep, and on his soles he was
brisk, swift, and active.
" Thou art dreaming," said the harper.
" I am," said he.
" What sawest thou Ì " said the harper.
* Ath bueothaicheas ; there is no such verb in Enghsh,
but to next-live expresses the meaning.