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

THE TALE OF THE SOLDIER. 279
The gentleman came, and John told him as I have
told thee, but Jolin would not many the old girl of
the hoary hodach.
At the end of a day or two John would not stay
longer ; he filled his pockets full of the gold, and he
asked the gentleman to give plenty of gold to the poor.
He reached the house (went home), but he was wearj'-
ing at home, and he had rather be back with the regi-
ment. He took himself off on a day of days, and he
reached the hill above the town from which he went
away ; but who should come to him but the Misclrief
" Hoth! hoth! John, thou hast come back?"
" Hoth ! on thyself," quoth John, " I came ; who
art thou f
" I am the Mischief; the man to whom thou gavest
thyself when thou was here last."
"Ai! ai!" said John, "it's long since I heard
tell of thee, but I never saw thee before. There is
glamour on my eyes, I will not believe that it is thou
at all ; but make a snake of thyself, and I will believe
thee."
The IMiscliief did this.
" Make now a lion of roaring."
The Mischief did this.
" Spit fire now seven miles behind thee, and seven
miles before thee."
The Mischief did this.
" Well," said John, " since I am to be a servant
with thee, come into my ' abersgaic,' and I will carry
thee ; but thou must not come out till I ask thee, or
else the bargain's broke."
The Mischief promised, and he did this.
" I^ow," said John, " I am going to see a brother
of mine that is in the regiment, but keep thou quiet."
So now, John went into the town ; and one yon-