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

THE SMITH AND THE FAIRIES. 49
an a-\vful yell, and sprung tlirougli tlie roof, Avliere a
hole was left to let the smoke out.
On a certain night the old man told him the green
round hill, where the fairies kept the boy, would be
open. And on that night the smith, having provided
himself with a bible, a dirk, and a crowing cock, was
to proceed to the hill. He would hear singing and
dancing, and much merriment going on, but he was to
advance boldly ; the bible he carried would be a certain
safeguard to him against any danger from the fairies.
On entering the hill he was to stick the dirk in the
threshold, to prevent the hill from closing upon him ;
"and then," continued the old man, "on entering you
will see a spacious apartment before you, beautifully
clean, and there, standing far within, working at a
forge, you will also see your own son. When you
are questioned, say you come to seek him, and will not
go without him."
Not long after this, the time came round, and the
smith sallied forth, prepared as instructed. Sure
enough as he approached the hill, there was a light
where light was seldom seen before. Soon after a
sound of piping, dancing, and joyous merriment
reached the anxious father on the night wind.
Overcoming every impulse to fear, the smith ap-
proached the threshold steadily, stuck the dirk into it
as directed, and entered. Protected by the bible he
carried on his breast, the fairies could not touch him ;
but they asked him, with a good deal of displeasure,
what he wanted there. He answered, " I want my
son, whom I see down there, and I will not go without
him."
Upon hearing this, the whole company before him
gave a loud laugh, which wakened up the cock he
carried dozing in his arms, who at once leaped up on
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