Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 3, 1892.djvu/195

 Rh thrice before you ever lift your hand to strike anyone. And here is money for you to take you home, and also three loaves of bread; but remember that you will neither look at them nor take them asunder till you do so at your wife's knee, so that they may be the means of making peace between you, for you are so long away from her that it is hard to say whether she is alive or dead, or how will she welcome you."

Donald at once set off for Nairn. His intention was to stay the first night at Keith, and next night he would be at home. On the road between Huntly and Keith he overtook a pedlar, who greeted him kindly, and asked him where he was going. Donald told him he was going to Keith. The pedlar said he was very glad, as he was going there too; and the conversation they would have on the road would make them feel the journey shorter.

Thus they went along till they came to a wood, when the pedlar said: "There is a short cut through this wood which will shorten our journey to Keith by three miles, besides taking the road."

"Take it, then," says Donald, "Dear have I paid for the advice. I'll take the road."

The pedlar took the short cut through the wood, but did not proceed far when Donald heard cries of "Murder! Murder!"

Off he set through the wood to help the pedlar, who was after being robbed by two robbers.

"You now see the force of my advice," Donald says.

"You are robbed, and you may be thankful you were not murdered, let alone the time we have lost. We will not reach Keith to-night."

They came to a farmer's house at the roadside, and as it was late, and they were still a good way from Keith, they went in and asked if they could get lodgings for the night. This they got from the inmates, who were sitting round a good fire, in a frank and pleasant manner. They also got a good warming and plenty to eat.