The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

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The Highland Monthly.
to him. He has a secret no doubt which he wants to make
known, and he vvill never rest till he gets it told."
" But," queried Alan Breac, " if the ghost wanted to
speak, why did he not do so ?"
" Because, Alan, a ghost can never speak till he is spoken
to," replied Seoras Glas, " and that's why he seemed so
anxious that the drover would speak to him first ; but it
was well for Sandy he did not do so, for a person who
addresses a ghost is sure to die soon after."
Aonghas Ban had now left off repairing the net for the
night, Jenny had put away her spinning wheel and got
Alastair to bed, and both she and her husband drew their
seats nearer the fire ; the girls stopped knitting, and all
were gazing in rapt attention at Seoras Glas, who, it was
evident, was taking more than ordinary interest in the
ghost seen by the drover.
" That ghost," he said, presently, " has some important
secret that he wants made known. It may be the spirit of
a murdered man, or of a murderer, who cannot rest till the
knowledge he possesses is revealed. Ah," shaking his grey
head, " if the walls of that old Castle could speak, what a
strange history they could recount !"
" Do you know anything about the Castle ?" asked
Seumas Ruadh ; " if any one does, I am sure you do."
" Lie down, Caesar, lie down, old fellow," said the old
man to his dog, that had risen suddenly and was looking
towards the door, " it is scarcely time yet to go home."
Caesar did as he was bid, and his master, in reply to
Seumas Ruadh's question, said, " There are queer and
startling stories told of that Castle. It belonged originally
to the Macleods, but they were deprived of it by the Mac-
kenzies. One night the Mackenzies were celebrating in
the Castle the anniversary of a great battle they had won.
It was on a Saturday night, and the revelry was carried on
far into the Sunday. As daylight set in the Chief, who
wanted the noisy festivity to be continued as long as
possible, ordered his servants to have the cocks' tongues