, and they would swear to it if pressed to confirm their
belief; they would affirm also to the existence of the Brunie in Cara.

In Carradale is a hill called Sroin-na-h-eana-chair, in which it is said
an old creature resides from generation to generation, who makes a great
noise before the death of individuals of a certain clan. An old man with
whom M'Intosh conversed on the subject declared that he had heard the
cries himself, which made the whole glen tremble.

A little dwarf, called the "Caointeach," or weeper, is said to weep
before the death of some persons. Some people thought this supernatural
creature very friendly. An old wife affirmed that she saw the little
creature, about the size of a new-born infant, weep with the voice of a
young child, and shortly afterwards got notice of the death of a friend.
Others affirmed that they heard the trampling of people outside of the
house at night, and shortly after a funeral left the house. Many stories
are told about apparitions in the hearing of the young, making an
impression which continues all their days. Peter the Catechist
deprecates such conduct. He writes: "I have seen those who would not
turn on their heel to save their life on the battle-field, who would
tremble at the thought of passing alone a place said to be frequented by
a spirit."

Very provokingly he next observes, "It would be ridiculous to speak of
the charms, omens, gestures, dreams, &c." Now, the fact is, it is just
these things which are matters of interest to an inquiring mind. They
are absurdities to us, but they were not so once; and then comes the
question, Why? He does, however, add a little to our fund of information
relative to the second sight.

"An old man who lived at Crossibeg, four generations ago, saw visions,
which were explained to him by a supernatural being, descriptive of
future events in Kintyre. An account of them was printed, and entitled
'Porter's Prophecies,' which I have perused, but cannot tell if any of
them have come to pass as yet, but some people believed them.

"The Laird of Caraskie, more than a century ago, is said to have had a
familiar spirit called Beag-bheul, or little mouth, which talked to him,
and took great care of him and his property. The spirit told him of a
great battle which would be fought in Kintyre, and that the magpie would
drink human blood from off a standing stone erected near Campbeltown.
The stone was removed, and set as a bridge