Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 6 1888.djvu/231

Rh iii.—.

Kerstie, the witch of PortMahomack, killed both the wives of the minister of the parish in succession within a year after their marriage. Dr. B. was told that she was to blame for it, nor did she deny the accusation. "Then, Kerstie," said the doctor, "if you had been to kill anybody I wish you had taken me first." "But I had no power over you," said the witch, "for when you close your eyes at night, it is aye with the Lord's Prayer, and when you open them again in the morning it is with the same prayer."—(Miss Fraser, Dornoch.)

iv.—.

Once upon a time two men at Inveran were in the habit of poaching in the Shin, and they carried on their depredations in this way:—When they had reason to believe that there was a fish in any pool they dragged it with a small net, one man holding it on one side till his companion caught the rope tied to a stone which was flung to him. They repaired to the place singly so as to avoid suspicion. One night John threw the rope across the pool, and called to his friend as he did so. He received the usual whistle in reply; and having dragged the pool, pulled a fine salmon ashore. Again he drew the net, and again his prize was a beautiful fish. The third time the result was the same. And then it dawned on John's guilty mind that his accomplice on the present occasion could be no less than the Vaugh of the Shin. He caught up net and salmon, and calling his dog to follow him, ran off as hard as he could. "Halves I Ian," cried a voice; and lo! the Vaugh was at his side, revolting in face, and dressed in green. A struggle began, for Ian was not inclined to part with the wages of iniquity. The dog at last disposed of the Vaugh, but he lost all his hair in the scuffle. The poacher became grey from terror in a single night, and we have reason to believe he did not again visit the pools of the Shin after dusk for any illicit purposes.—(D. M., Stack)

[Vaugh-vie in Little Russia is a kobold, or nixie.]