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

198 WEST HIGHLAND TALES.
master asks me that, I will do it, and if he does not
ask, I wiU not do it to-day for thee."
" Tliere she is," said Murachadli, " and do to her
as thou wilt." Then struck he a fist on her, and he
knocked her brains out. They were not long there
when they saw a deer and a dog chasing it. Out after
it went they, and the sparks that the hound sent from
his toes were hitting Murachadh's gilUe right in the
face. The sparks that IMurachadli's gillie sent from his
toes were striking Murachadli right in the face, and the
sparks that Miu'achadli sent from his toes were liittuig
Donachadli right in the face, and the sparks that
Donachadh sent fr'om his toes were liitting Brian Eon-
right in the face. In the time of lateness Murachadli
lost Ms set of men ; nor father, nor brother, nor gillie,
nor deer, nor dog, was to be seen, and he did not know
to what side he should go to seek them. Mist came
on them.
He thought he would go into the wood to gather
nuts till the mist should go. He heard the stroke
of an axe in the wood, and he thought that it was
the man of the little cap and the l)ig bonnet. He went
down, and it was the man of the little cap who was
there. Murachadli blessed liim ; in the fisniche
foisniche, soft flowing peaceful words of wisdom ; and
the youth blessed him in better Avords ; and if no bet-
ter they were no worse. " I am thinking, then," said
the lad, '' that it is of the company of Murachadh Mac
Brian thou art." "It is," said he. "Well ! I would
give thee a night's share for the sake of that man,
though tliere should be a man's head at thy belt."
Murachadh feared that he would ask liim to put the
faggot on his back, and he was right feared that he
would ask him to carry the axe home, for its size.
" Good lad," said he, " I am sure thou art tu'ed enough