Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review Volumes 32 and 33.djvu/620

 3IO Folk- Lore of the Isle of Skye.

Mrs. IMackinnon, an old woman living in the township of Woodend, said that all fair-haired people are the descendants of mermaids. The above story related to people who lived in Mrs. Mackinnon's father's lifetime.

Supernatural Stories.

(i) A girl at Skeabost was sent to the well for water. On her way she saw a shape, which she could not describe, on a high hill. Suddenly, as she watched it, she was aware that it had disappeared from the spot and at the same moment she found it at her side. It spoke to her, but my informant had forgotten what it said. At all events, she was terrified, and, dropping her pail, she fled. But she had time to look round, and she saw the shape go into one of the ancient tombs on Skeabost island, a small islet in Skeabost River where is a very old burying ground with ancient sculptured tombs.

(2) A man at Braes lost his wife to whom he had been much attached. She left behind her several young children. The widower mourned her sincerely and devoted himself to his children. But this soon wore away, and he set out to court another woman, leaving the helpless children to do for them- selves as best they could. In spite of his neglect, however, the children seemed to thrive ; and this, he knew, was not the work of neighbours, for his house was a lonely one. One day, coming in from his courting, he asked the children carelessly if they had been lonely. No, he was told, they were not lonely, for, as soon as he went away, their mother came and looked after them. He was struck to the heart on hearing this, gave up his flirta- tions, and devoted himself ever after to his family.

(3) The lady of the mansion of Scorybreck, the wife of Nicolson, who then lived there, died and left her husband very lonely. He, however, got a friend to come and stay awhile. One night the two men were sitting alone and a knock came to the door, and the friend answered it. A woman stood on the threshold, and on being asked her business said she wished to see the laird. The friend, unwilling to disturb the mourner, demanded who she was. " I am his dead wife," was her reply. Astonished and alarmed the friend went back to the laird, and told his