INVERNESS-SHIRE. 103 



which having been blessed by one Daly the Druid, 

 its waters became for ever after an unfailing remedy 

 against all disease. The Druid, when bestowing this 

 healing power on the waters of the spring, placed a 

 stone over it, strictly enjoining that whenever it was 

 removed for reaching the water it should immediately 

 be replaced, or desolation would overtake the valley 

 the day his commands were disobeyed ; thus his 

 words became law with the people of the vale, and 

 year by year passed away in peace and plenty. 

 One fatal day, however, a woman went to draw 

 water, when just as she had removed the sacred stone, 

 a cry came from her cottage close by that her child 

 had set his clothes on fire, and back she flew to 

 save her infant, but forgetting to replace the stone. 

 On this the waters of the spring rose rapidly in such 

 a great volume as to overflow the valley, driving 

 the dwellers therein to take refuge on the hills, 

 until from all. sides arose their cry of lamentation. 

 " Tha loch nis ann ! " " Tha loch nis ann ! " " There 

 is a lake now ! " which has remained ever since, 



