Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 4

THE CATTLE OF THE FIANS.
It is said that the strongest and best horse which the
Fians had, White Front {Blar Aghan), was killed by the
Glas tarruing fhogharaidh, or the hauling of crops in
harvest from wet places to dry ground by means of
sledges or cams, and these, as may readily be supposed,
were on wet ground a severe burden upon even the
strongest horse.
The Glas-gJioileavi (Grey-cheek) was the cow the
Feinne had, and the milk of which (there was a mouthful
for each), along with shell-fish, kept them alive when
game was not to be found, hence the story of the "Rock
of the Mouthful", which is as follows :
The Story of the Rock of the Mouthful
(Creagan a' Bhalguim).
It is told that once when the Feinne were in Skye
and the chase was lost, Thinman {Caoilte), who was the
swiftest of the band, was sent to look for the deer,
whilst they themselves gathered limpets at Loch Snizorl.
He found them somewhere to the north of Lynecan.
The locality of this place {Loig/meachan) is not known,
and it is possible that the tradition came from some
other place, perhaps from Ireland. When he saw the
game, he gave a shout which was heard by the rest
of the Fians, who were at the time eating shell-fish at
Loch Snizort. They heard
"The shrill, hard cry of swift Thinman,
To the north of Loineachan."
" Eigheach caol cruaidh Chaoilte luaith
Aig taol)h tuath Loighncachan."