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

XXX.
THE TWO SHEPHEEDS.
nn HEEE were out between Lochaber and Eaideanach
■^ two shepherds who were neighbours to each other,
and the one would often be going to see the other.
One was on the east side of a river, and another on the
west. The one who was on the west side of the river
came to the house of the one who was on the east of
it on an evening visit. He staid till it was pretty
late, and then he wished to go home. " It is time to
go home," said he. " It is not that which thou shalt
do, but thou shalt stay to-night," said the other,
" since it is so long in the night." " I will not stay
at aU events ; if I were over the river I don't care
more." The houseman had a pretty strong son, and
he said, " I will go with thee, and I will set thee over
the river, but thou hadst better stay." — " I will not
stay at all events." — " If thou wilt not stay I wiU go
with thee." The son of the houseman called a dog
which he had herding. The dog went with him.
When he set the man on the other side of the river,
the man said to him, " Be returning now, I am far in
thy debt." The strong lad returned, and the dog Avith
him. ^^Tien he reached the river as he was returning
back home, he Avas thiiddng whether he should take
the stepping-stones, or put off his foot-clothes and
take below. He put off his foot-clothes for fear of