Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 29, 1918.djvu/237

Rh So remarkable an apparition aroused curiosity, and the legend is growing rapidly in interest and completeness. A later report adds several new details, Irish Times, May 1st:

"A correspondent who has visited the district of Kiltrustan, in the County Roscommon, where the mysterious black pig is said to have appeared recently, says that a few yards from the roadway there is a small plantation which, according to local tradition, is haunted. Contrary to the wish of the old people in the neighbourhood, two young men cut one of the trees in the plantation. Both of them are now understood to be ill, a fact which is considered significant in view of Columcille's prophecy. An intelligent little girl of about 12 years of age was the first to observe the black pig. The peculiarity of its movements attracted her attention, and, somewhat terrified, she informed the schoolmaster of what she had seen. Convinced by the child's earnest demeanour, the teacher accompanied her to the plantation, but could not see the pig, although the child insisted that the animal was there, and was not then alone, but was accompanied by six bonhams. The girl's story was confirmed by other children who arrived later. To adults the pig and bonhams were quite invisible. On the following day the pig could clearly be seen by the children. When some of the more adventurous elderly people approached the tree stumps, the children cried out in horror that the pig was right beside them, and actually passing across their feet. Clergymen visited the scene of the strange visitation, and the fears of the people were gradually subdued. For a third time the pig and bonhams were noticed, but since then the animals have not appeared. The affair caused an extraordinary sensation all over County Roscommon. Some