The Celtic magazine. A monthly periodical devoted to the literature ...

IMeThatTHE CELTIC MAGAZINE. 305of energy. After a little time he warmed to tlie wcirk, ami began to n.';e tlieflail with great vigour, blow succeeding blow with inrcc and rapidity,while muttering to himselfThus 's mis an t-shuiste Glialkl,Tbig gu trie, 's buail gu troin.It was now evident to the Earl's men that the Gille chilili, whom theyd:spised, was an expert in threshing, and before mid-day all tlie corn inthe barn was tlireshcd out. The Gille. dahli thereupon ordered a cruach (astack of corn) to be put into the barn that he might continue his work,which was immediately done^ not without a good deal of speculation andcuriosity at the extraordinary threshing proficiency exhibited by INIackay'sswarthy lad, who assisted in getting the corn stack taken into the barn.This done, he recommenced his work. Then it was that the Gille cluhh MliicAoidh showed what he could do. If he threshed before to the admirationof the Earl's men, he now redoubled his vigour, blow upon blow,stroke after stroke, fell fast and furious upon the jumping corn, and theflail was so plied that none could ajiproach the barn doors ; for out of thebackdoor went the straw as fast as that aperture could permit it, and outof the front issueil such a cloud of dust and chalf that the Earl's menimagined the building Avould ere long be in flames, while they, at thesame time, ftincied they heard voices indistinctly saying]\Iis 's thus an t-sbuiste bbeag, 1Sin dhuits', so dbomhs.|and tliee my little flail,to thee, this to me.The Earl's men were thoroughly astounded. I'he afternoon was notfar advanced when the Gille diihh was about ordering another cniacli tobe sent into the barn ; but ere this was done word was conveyed to theEarl to the eifect that " Auld Xick," or some one of his sprites was iiicompany with Mackay's man, and that if he was permitted to go on as he wasdoing not a sheaf in the whole stack-yard would be left unthreshed beforethe close of the day. The Earl at once understood with whom he had todeal, he came himself to the barn, told Donald he had done enough lorone day, and that he had better accompany him now to dinner.Edinburgh.ALEX. MACKAY.