"
It may not be indifferent to the reader to know that the Highland
cattle are peculiarly liable to be TAKEN, or infected, by spells
and witchcraft, which judicious people guard against by knitting
knots of peculiar complexity on the tuft of hair which terminates
the animal's tail.
But the old woman who was the object of the farmer's suspicion
seemed only busied about the drover, without paying any attention
to the drove. Robin, on the contrary, appeared rather impatient
of her presence.
"What auld-world fancy," he said, "has brought you so early from
the ingle-side this morning, Muhme? l am sure I bid you good-
even, and had your God-speed, last night."
"And left me more siller than the useless old woman will use till
you come back again, bird of my bosom," said the sibyl. "But it
is little I would care for the food that nourishes me, or the
fire that warms me, or for God's blessed sun itself, if aught but
weel should happen to the grandson of my father. So let me walk
the DEASIL round you, that you may go safe out into the far
foreign land, and come safe home."
Robin Oig stopped, half embarrassed, half laughing, and signing
to those around that he only complied with the old woman to
soothe her humour.
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