1697. James Lindsay, alias Curat, in Renfrewshire. He was called the Gleid, or Squint-Ey'd Elff.[954]
Nineteenth century. It was the common rumour that Elphin Irving came not into the world like the other sinful creatures of the earth, but was one of the Kane-bairns of the fairies, whilk they had to pay to the enemy of man's salvation every seventh year. The poor lady-fairy,—a mother's aye a mother, be she Elve's flesh or Eve's flesh,—hid her Elf son beside the christened flesh in Marion Irving's cradle, and the auld enemy lost his prey for a time.... And touching this lad, ye all ken his mother was a hawk of an uncannie nest, a second cousin of Kate Kimmer, of Barfloshan, as rank a witch as ever rode on ragwort.[955]
FOOTNOTES:
[915] Quicherat, i, p. 67; Murray, pp. 25 6.
[916] Id., i, p. 87; M., p. 42.
[917] Id., i, pp. 88-9; M., p. 43.
[918] Id., i, p. 177; M., p. 80.
[919] Id., i, p. 178; M., 80.
[920] Id., i, p. 186; M., p. 84.
[921] Id., i, p. 187; M., p. 84.