Even if they were willing to give him up, which they are not, they dare not make the attempt, lest the vengeance of the fairies might come down on themselves and their cattle, in a thousand shapes." "I will tell you what the general opinion upon the subject is," replied the other.

"It seems his foster-mother was a midwife, and that she was called upon once, about the hour of midnight, to discharge the duties of her profession toward a fairyman's wife, and this she refused to do unless they conferred some gift either upon herself personally, or upon some one whom she should name.

Young Shawn, it appears, was her favorite, and she got a solemn promise from them to take him under their protection, and to preserve him from danger.

This is the opinion of the people; but whether it is true or not I won't undertake to determine." "Come, gentlemen," said their host, "push the bottle; remember we must attend the bonfire." "So," said the magistrate, "you are sending us to blazes, Mr.Lindsay." "Well, at all events, my friends," continued Mr.Lindsay, "we must make haste, for there's little time to spare.

Take your liquor, for we must soon be off.