The peat-fire flame : folk-tales and traditions of the Highlands & Islands

NORSE AND VIKING FOLK-TALES
had been interred with the rest of her did she find repose
in Lochlann.
To this very day, they say on Lismore, the spot where
Beothail was first interred resembles a vacant tomb.
Til, the Warrior-Prince from Lochlann.
Sweno is not the only son of the King of Norway
(Lochlann) of whom we hear in the folk-tales of the Highlands
and Islands.
Toward the evening of an autumn day in the years
unmeasured by dates, some women were gathered together
to discuss a festival that was to be observed on the following
day by all the countryside. And sad, indeed, were two
young women that it was their lot to tend to the cattle
while their neighbours were to be rejoicing. But there came
to their solace a kind, elderly woman who, in order that
they might join in the latter part of the festivities, offered
to undertake for them the watching of the cattle during
the following night.
Her thoughtful proposal the maidens gratefully accepted
and at falling light they hied away to adorn themselves for
the feast, while the old woman repaired to the moor, where
the cattle had been left to roam about at will. As was the
custom in those far-off times, she kindled in a hollow on the
moor a large fire, to scare away evil spirits. With her
distaff and spindle she seated herself on the outskirts of a
necropolis that we may surmise was a pagan one.
About midnight the earth round the old woman began to
heave heavily. The graves in the burying-ground were
opened; and groups of weird, spirit-like creatures hurried
hither and thither in noiseless confusion, and then vanished
in a northerly airt. From a huge grave immediately in
front of her there arose a tall, warrior figure, that paused
for a brief moment before speeding away in the same
direction. Hours later the warrior returned; but in the
interval the old woman had lain her distaff across the grave,
so as to prevent his re-entering it until he had given her an
account of his behaviour.
'• And wilt thou not remove thy distaff' that I may return
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