Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 6 1888.djvu/237

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THE FOLK-LORE OF SUTHERLANDSHIRE.
229

picking up some stones, he sent a shower of them into the deep pool at his feet. She must have been repeatedly hit, as she emitted a series of the most piercing shrieks. "I am afraid," said Monroe, "that you have not done that right, and that she will play us an ugly trick at the ford." "Never mind, we will take more stones," he answered, arming himself with a few. But the kelpie had had enough of stones for one night.—(D. Murray, Stack.)


xiv.—Honeysuckle as a Charm against Witchcraft.

Honeysuckle has great power against witchcraft, and it should be worn by women with child. Our gamekeeper's wife tells me she has often seen a piece stitched inside the body of a gown.


CHAPTER IV.

GOOD AND BAD SERPENTS.


i.—Farquhar the Physician.

Now Farquhar was one time a drover in the Reay country, and he went from Glen Gollich to England to sell a drove of black cattle, and the staff that he had in his hand as he walked was hazel. One day a doctor met him." "What's that," he said, "you have in your hand?" "It is a staff of hazel." "And where did you cut that?" "In Glengollig north, in Lord Reay's country." "Do you mind the place and the tree?" "That I do." "Could you get the tree?" "Easy." "Well, I will give you gold more than ye can lift if ye will go back there and bring me a wand of that hazel-tree; and take this bottle, and bring me something more, and I will give ye gold as much again. Watch at the hole at the foot, and put the bottle to it. Let the six serpents go that come out first, but put the seventh into the bottle, and tell no man, but come back straight with it here." So Farquhar went back to the hazel glen alone, and when he had cut