Page:Laird of Ardenoaige and the Ghost of Fenhaglen.pdf/9

9 with it. And it is likely you may be the one that will be instrumental in subduing it, and bringing to light the cause of its appearance; for we have heard of many a Ghost sent to rest by man. But as I said before, you must not go in your own strength. It may come in the shape of some fierce animal, and crush you to death in a moment. But take your sword, and mark out a compass right round about you, and stand right in the centre, with your confidence placed in the Almighty's protection, so you can stand in that position, against whatever form it may appear unto you, until such time as it will transform itself into the form of a person like yourself; then you can converse with it, and know the reason of its appearance, and use your best means to send it to its rest. Now you must be aware, that you are going as if you were to descend down the face of a steep rock, by means of a rope, and it is that mighty preserver that is to hold the rope; and if you will still trust him, he will guide you safe to the bottom, but if you fail in the confidence, He will let you go, and you will be dashed to pieces. This is your situation, go then, and may He that guides our sun by day, and our moon by night go with you, but you must take some person with you, and you will leave them with your dog at a distance, and instruct him to let your dog go if you are like to be overpowered by the Ghost; for I have heard old men say, that a grey hound was a good guard, if one was going the way of Ghosts; and if I were as swift as I was that day your father was born, when I went to St. Johnston and back in one day, I would not be the last to follow you up the glen. You will take Donald Ban, your own man with you, as he is a fit person.” Accordingly Colin went to Donald—known by the name of “Domuhull Ban Achleibh,” he lived in the uppermost house in Ardenoaige, called the Tomodhar, when Colin came to the house, Donald told him there was a deer that went west along the side