Page:Lindigo.djvu/93

Rh ignorant as the bird before her, his strange gobbling or language she believed to be broad Scotch.

Making a low curtsey, she exhibited her fowls and eggs, remarking with great humility,in Gaelic, "Coilleach as ceare ler cead a Choirneil." "Dusan ubh ler cead a Choirneil." ("A cock and hen, with your leave, Colonel." "A dozen eggs, with your leave, Colonel.")

A servant, who had observed the attack of the turkey, ran to Ni Ruari's rescue, overheard these amusing remarks, and just as the thankless bird was on the point of making an assault, the maid interposed and explained the mistake. She then conducted Ni Ruari to the real Coirneil, who, as may be expected greatly enjoyed the affair, paid handsomely for the goods, and treated the old woman to a glass of whisky, and her favourite strong cup of tea.

It may seem strange that although Ni Ruari was so ignorant in most things, she had a wonderful gift for reading people's fortunes in cups, and she had attained such proficiency in that art, that her prophecies, according to accounts, proved, in most instances correct, and frequently shook the incredulity of some of the non-believers in her art.

It was towards Ni Ruari's boothy that Bella McKay was going on her benevolent excursion, her object being to relieve the old woman's wants, and not for the purpose, as some might suppose, of having her fortune told, as she had no faith in such practices. Not so her maid; she hailed with joy the benevolent intentions which led her young mistress to the mysterious habitation, and often wished to have the opportunity of removing the veil which concealed her own futurity.

The young boatmen were no less overjoyed at the unlooked-for prospect of holding an interesting and uninterrupted téte-a-téte with their fair ones, steered their light bark towards the beach under Ni Ruari's boothy, then furled their sail, sprung lightly on shore, and were soon in the arms of those they loved.

On the happy couples' entrance under the low roof, its strange occupant hailed the visit of such a rare company with a sort of hospitable greeting which more