Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 1

30 Craignish Tales.
They prevailed on the McDougalls to retire
to an adjoining barn to partake of some refresh-
ments after their long journey, and then they
stole away with the coffin as fast as their legs
could carry them. When the McDougalls re-
appeared and saw how they were deceived their
indignation was boundless. Their first thoughts
were of pursuit, but a little consideration con-
vinced them of the folly of that course, as they
were less than thirty in number, and as the
Campbells could not be overtaken until they
were in the centre of Craignish, and in the midst
of their friends. Something, however, had to
be done in revenge for the deception practised
upon them, and to save them from the contempt
of their clansmen in Lorn.
They flew therefore to the nearest lands occu-
pied by the dependents of Campbell of Craig-
nish and harried them of their cattle. These
they drove before them across Sliabh-an-tuim,
the range of hills between Craignish and Mel-
ford, and halted not until they reached Loch
Druimnean.
Meantime a messenger was despatched
with the utmost haste to inform the funeral
party of what had happened. The latter were
overtaken about three miles beyond Lergy-
chony, at the farm of Soraba, where there was