212 Collectanea.
men working. She, passing, said, " Ye have a good dale [deal] done without saying, God bless you ! " They were at the time near the roofing. The structure remains to-day to be seen, unroofed, as they left it on that night. No structure was there the night before, and it was built to the present position on the next morning. — Told by R. Rahilly, Abbington.
Cusheen Hill, Clare.
I remember to hear of them, by the ould people, that often they used to see them in hunders in the fields.
Do you see that big white house on the hill } Well, sir, in oulden times there was a big gentleman living there, and he used to keep hounds, and hosses, and servants galore. There was one nice girl there, as house maid, and the coachman, a fine young fella, was courtin' her. But in thim times the pay was small, and he did not like to marry her, till he had money enuff to give her a dacent home. Well, one night he was goin' home, 'twas late, and up on that fort, above, he heard great wailin'. " Some one is in trouble," says he, " and I'll relieve them if I can." So up he goes, and what was it but a whole team of the good people. There was a big tree lyin' across their dancing ring, and the craturs couldn't lift it. When they see him, they axed him to remove it, and so he did. Then the king says to him, " I will give you any wish you like, for what youre after doin'." " Well," says he, " there is a girl up at the big house, and I'd like to marry her, but I haven't the manes to support her." " Well," says the fairies, " don't go to work to-morra ; but sind word that you are sick, and the gentleman and his wife and daughter will be goin' to Kilkee, and they will have the groom drivin' them. Come here about 8 o'clock, and as they are passin', the horse will take head ; you need not be afraid, but jump, and ketch the reins, and lave the rest to us." Begor, he done as they tould him, and just as he was passin', down comes the horse tanteevy. But just as they were all likely to be killed, he jumps and ketches the reins. The gentleman asks him what reward he would like, and he tells him about the eirl.
