The book Arran; - Cook Clan

298 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
' cronach ' or play her devilry on it. They found the woman (their
frail bit of artillery) in such an enfeebled state as to be unable to
leave the house, but willing hands carried her out to where she could
get a good view of her enemies. After scanning the Firth and looking
at the object of the consternation for some time, she turned to her
comrades and with an air of satisfaction she remarked ' Tha air hdrr
a' chroinn na dW fkbghnas i ' (There is on the top of the mast that
will suffice her).
She had seen the devil at the mast-head in shape of a large cat,
or something of that description, weaving a mystic web to play
destruction with the fleet which was so shortly to reach its doom.
The following extract from the Session Records of Kilmorie
will illustrate one of the superstitious customs of the
Highlands. It was by no means peculiar to this island.
Session at Clachan, September 4, 1709.—Janet Hunter being
formally summoned, and called, compeared, and being questioned
anent the report that was given forth on her, that she used a charm
for the discovery of theft, by turning the riddle, she plainly confessed
that she did use it ; and being further interrogate what words
she used, she replied that she used no words ; and being asked if
she did not say, ' by Peter, by Paul, it was such a person,' she replied
that she did use these words, and none else; and being further
interrogate, if the riddle did turn at the naming of any of those
persons suspected, she replied that it did actually turn at the naming
of one ; and being interrogate farther, who employed her, she re-
plied it was Barbara M'Murchie in the same town, who employed her
and she being farther interrogate, if she had any other body with
her at the said exorcite, she replied that there was one Florence
M'Donald, servitrix to Hector M'Alister here, who was holding the
side of the shears with her. It being farther interrogate, if she
thought there was any fault or sin in it, she replied that she thought
there was none in it, seeing she used no bad words ; and she being
farther interrogate if she knew who it was that turned the riddle,
she answered that she did not know ; but declared that it was not
she, nor the other who held it with her, so far as she knew ; and it
being told her that if neither of them two turned it, that it behoved
;