236 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



nodding at a house across the water, and 

 as if speaking to himself rather than to 

 me. It was a large, straggling house of 

 one storey, evidently very old. It was 

 enclosed by a square of ancient oaks. 

 These details I took in while wondering 

 what could be the importance of Peter in 

 John's eyes. I asked who Peter was. 



"He's greenkeeper to the Golf Club 

 up by," John answered slowly. After a 

 pause he began again, this time with 

 resolution. 



" As ye're sure to be wantin' to stay a 

 guid while at this pool, Sir, and maybe 

 to come back to't for it does ha'e mony 

 fush, I maun allow I'll jist be plain wi' 

 ye, Sir. Peter's a witch a man witch 

 what's ca'd a warlock." 



" O John ! " I exclaimed. 



"Ye needna' laugh, Sir. It's the 

 truth I'm tellin'. And I'm feared that, if 

 he is at hame, he may put the buidseachd 

 on ye and on me too." 



"The buidseachd, John! What's 

 that?" 



