The Kelpie. 55 



— indicates the form in which he is oftenest presented by tradi- 

 tion. In the North of Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland 

 archipelagoes he is also spoken of as the Nicker (a name which 

 directly gi\-es a connection with German, Scandinavian, and 

 Icelandic folklore), the Neugle, Niggle, or Noggle, or the 

 Shoepultie (in some parts of Shetland). The coat of this 

 mysterious .steed is generally described as black, or very dark and 

 shaggy, though in one instance at least he is spoken of as a 

 brindled horse with fine glossy skin. Shetland legends also 

 picture him as sleek, with an erect mane and a tail " like the rim 

 o' a muckle wheel;" while in Orkney his traditional colour is 

 snow-white. On the mainland, again, he is said to have inverted 

 hoofs. 



To attempt to ride the water-horse was a dangerous pro- 

 cedure, and was but rarely attended with success and safety. 

 This idea gave rise to at least one proverbial saying. " Yea, he 

 (or she) is been ridin' da Neugle," Shetlanders would remark on 

 hearing that someone had experienced a piece of phenomenal 

 good fortune. The only persons, indeed, reputed to have been 

 able to mount this uncanny steed, in ordinary circumstances, 

 without fear of the consequences, were the "Norway Finns," 

 those mysterious folk whose miraculous feats, manv centuries 

 before the northern isles came to he ranked as the outposts of 

 Scotland, have been handed down by tradition. Anv ordinary 

 man, however, who succeeded in bridling the water-horse — the 

 making of the sign of the Cross was regarded as a valuable aid 

 towards this end — could make him do practically what he liked. 

 But the utmost caution had to be exercised in handling the 

 Kelpie. If he were roughly treated, or an attempt made to 

 detain him longer than was necessary for the completion of the 

 task in which he was engaged, the savagery in his nature would 

 reassert itself, and he would turn angrily upon his temporary 

 master, and attack him so fiercely that the consequences were 

 generally fatal. Says one rhyme: — 



" Quha with a bit my mow oan fit 

 May gar me be his slave ; 

 To him I'll wirk baith morn an' mirk. 

 Qnhile he has wark to do ; 



