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

THE PEAT-FIRE FLAME
alone on a certain day by the loch aforementioned, and
there endeavour to arrive at a peaceful solution in regard to
the lands in dispute.
When the appointed day arrived, and Locheil was on his
way to the place where he had promised to meet AthoU, he
was accosted on the moor by a frail and aged woman, who
asked him: "Where are your men, Locheil? Where are
your men, Locheil ? "
To her question the Chief paid little attention, and turned
cjuietly toward her and said : " Hold thy peace, old witch !
I have no need for my gallant men to-day, for I travel to a
loch where Atholl has agreed to meet me alone."
So Locheil continued on his way. But the old woman
limped after him, and, having seized hold of his tartan
plaid, persisted in interrogating him again, for she felt that,
if the Chief of the Camerons intended proceeding
unaccompanied to the loch, he might find himself in danger.
" Where are your men, Locheil? Where are your men? "
she kept on repeating.
Locheil now began to feel a little perturbed by her
insistence ; and he realised that, if anything unforeseen were
to occur when he came face to face with Atholl, he would
never forgive himself for ignoring the warning. And,
therefore, he hurried off to the nearest clachan and collected
a band of men, that he might be prepared in the event of
any emergency. This bodyguard he directed to follow after
him, and to conceal itself among the bracken and heather by
the side of the loch, lest he should require its assistance.
In course of time the two chiefs met face to face; but
their efforts to come to terms produced naught but wrath
and acrimony. Atholl was determined not to yield an inch
of the territory in dispute ;
and any suggestion that he should
merely exasperated him. When he found that he could
endure things no longer, he waved his hand, whereupon
there leapt up from the heather, in which they had concealed
themselves beforehand, twenty stalwart Atholl Highlanders.
" Who are these? " angrily enc|uired Locheil.
" Oh ! " replied Atholl with a smile of disdain, " these
are Atholl wethers who have come to graze on Locheil's
pastures."
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