The book Arran; - Cook Clan

306 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
' I am sorry to hear that,' said the old man ;
' but you must take
heed to yourself on the journey on which you are. I would advise
you to put a bunch of rowans at the root of the yellow mare's tail,
to have a good hazel stick in your fist, and if you feel a weakness of
heart or body coming on you, say, " The evil of thine eye be upon
thee," and be sure you will not allow the Doctor Ban to get the first
sight of the Ganger's house, or else if he will, and that he heals his
son, you will die.'
The lad gave thanks to the old man, promised that he would
be on his guard, and took his way. He found the Doctor at home,
and he was willing enough to go with him. They went in the company
of each other-— ^the Doctor on a grey shaggy pony, and the lad
leading the way in front. When they reached Bealach-an-iomachair
the Doctor endeavoured to get the lead, but the lad gave a blow to
the mare ab the root of the ear, and left the grey pony behind. When
they reached Bealach-a-chr6 the youth felt his heart getting faint
and his body getting as weak as a rush. ' The evil of thine eye be
upon thee,' said the lad, and no sooner said than he felt as if a load
was lifted off him. Having reached Caticol burn the Doctor said,
' Since there is siich haste in the matter, and that you have no cause
for haste, let us make an exchange of horses.' ' Thank you,' said the
lad, ' but my own life is more necessary to myself than the life of
another.' He gave another blow to the yellow mare, and continued
on without delay until the Ganger's house was in sight.
On the Doctor arriving at the house, ' Why,' said he to the Ganger,
full of anger, ' did you send for me by one who was as skilful as
myself. I cannot do anything for your son ? ' True, as he said
the Ganger's son died shortly thereafter.
It is said of Dr. M'Larty, who lived nearly two hundred years ago and
who was famous for his cures, that he got his education from the
fairies. He was born at Corriecravie, and the first day he went to
school he was met by a little green-coated man who took him to a
fairy school underneath Torr a'Chaisteil, a prehistoric mound at
Corriecravie, and there secretly educated him.
A CURE for measles and whooping-cough was to seek out among the
hills a saucer-shaped stone which held water. With the water thus
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