‘Ah, sir, it was him that was the clever man. He could cure every disease in the shutting of a taibhshear’s eye, and knew every herb and plant, every tree and root, every bird and beast. And there’s something more wonderful yet,’ continued Eachainn in an awe-struck tone.
‘And what is that?’ asked Gillespie.
‘Well, sir, maybe you’ll no be believing it, but it’s true all the same, that Fearchair Lighiche had the gift to know what the birds would be saying to each other.’
The gauger threw a quick glance at his companion, thinking he was trying to gull him, but seeing that Eachainn spoke in all sincerity, and even with a certain amount of awe in his manner, Gillespie did not interrupt him, merely remarking, ‘That was a gift indeed, if he made good use of it.’
‘That he did, sir, for he was a real good man, and a blessing was on all he did.’
‘Well,’ said the gauger, with an air of incredulity, ‘tell me now of some instance where this gift was shown by your wonderful relative, Farquhar Lick, or whatever his name was?’
‘By your leave, sir, his name is not Lick, but Lighiche, and that means “Healer.” The people will be calling him that because of the cures he did. But his own right name was Beaton, and I could be telling you lots of stories about him. One time, on a beautiful summer morning, he was walking by the sea-side, and he met old Colin Macrae and his two sons going to their boat to go to Skerry-Rona to cut sea-ware, when they spoke to the seer. He looked to the north and to the south, with a face full of trouble, and shust then a raven flew over their heads, and gave a hollow croaking kind of sound.’
‘So do all ravens, man,’ interrupted the gauger.
Without noticing the interruption, Eachainn continued, ‘And then, sir, when Fearchair Lighiche heard the raven, he turned to the old man and commanded him and his sons not to enter the boat or put to sea that day, for, said he, “I have it from them that never deceive that evil will come to a boat from Harlosh coast this day.”’
‘And did they take notice of the warning?’