J. F. Campbell Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 2

SANNTRAIGH. 43
bit of the kettle within, and she asked, " Where was
the kettle?" "Well then I don't care where it is,"
said the man ; " I never took such a fright as I took
at it. I shut the door, and she did not come any more
with it." " Good-for-nothing wretch, what cUdst thou
do 1 There are two that will be ill off — thyself and I."
" She Avill come to-morrow with it," " She will not
come."
She hasted herself and she went away. She
reached the knoll, and there was no man within. It
was after dinner, and they were out in the mouth of
the night. She went in. She saw the kettle, and she
lifted it with her. It was heavy for her with the
remnants that they left in it. "VVTien the old carle
that was within saw her going out, he said —
Silent wife, silent wife,
That came on us from the land of chase,
Thou man on the surface of the " Bruth,"
Loose the Black, and slip the Fierce.
The two dogs were let loose ; and she was not long
away when she heard the clatter of the dogs coming.
She kept the remnant that was in the kettle, so that
if she could get it with her, well, and if the dogs should
come that she might throw it at them. She perceived
the dogs coming. She put her hand in the kettle.
She took the board out of it, and she threw at them a
(quarter of what was in it. They noticed it there for a
wliile. She perceived them again, and she threw
another piece at them when they closed upon her. She
went away walking as well as she might ; when she
came near the farm, she threw the mouth of the pot
downwards, and there she left them all that was in it.
The dogs of the town struck (up) a barking when they
saw the dogs of peace stopping. The woman of peace
never came more to seek the kettle.