A PRIEST IN DANGER. 205 



" He is at too great a distance from you," said the father, 

 "" and you would get us into trouble, if you attempted to 

 kill him without succeeding." 



The priest, unconscious of his danger, approached nearer 

 the river, and seated himself on a projecting stone. 



" Now, daddy," said the youngster, " give me the bow, as 

 I am certain I can hit him." 



But the old man, still doubtful of his son's success, and 

 expecting to obtain a nearer aim, refused this second request 

 also. When the priest moved off, the boy insisted upon 

 being permitted to shoot at the stone upon which he had 

 been sitting ; and having hit it with an arrow the very first 

 trial, MacCurrochy complained bitterly of his want of judg- 

 ment in having resisted his son's desire, and d d himself 



" for vexing the boy's spirit." 



MacCurrochy was master of a gun, which, along with his 

 bow, he is said to have thrown into a deep cavity amongst 

 the loose blocks of stone on the side of Craig-na-garbat, 

 which forms a shoulder of Ben-Hope, when he felt himself 

 dying. Many attempts have been made by the neigh- 

 bouring inhabitants to discover these relics, but without 

 success. 



This ruthless villain was buried in a hole in the wall of 

 Durness church, by his own direction, to baulk the threat 

 of an old woman, who told him when he was dying that 

 she should soon have the pleasure of dancing over his grave. 

 There is a rude monument over his resting-place, on which 

 a grotesque figure of Donald is cut, in which he is repre- 

 sented as drawing his bow and killing a deer. There is 

 also an inscription, bearing date 1623, the year of his death. 

 It runs as follows : 



" Donald Makmarchor 

 Hier tyis lo vas. il to his 

 Friend, Var to his Fo : 

 True : to liis Maister in Veird 

 And Vo." 



Which was probably meant to pass as rhyme, thus, 



Donald M'Marchow here lies low, 



Was ill to his friend, war (worse) to his foe ; 



True to his master in word and vow, 



(Or in weal and woe). 



