[#] Cha till mi tuilich—I shall never more return.
"Coinneach," said the lad, and he also spoke in a hushed kind of way, "how long ago is it since that one heard the cock crowing?"
"How long? Who can answer such questions? Can you tell me when the Macarthurs came into the world? For you have heard the saying, Calum: 'The hills and the streams and the Macalpines came together; but who can say when the Macarthurs came?' It is a long time ago: it is not any use asking. Ay, and there was something before all of these." He paused for a second: then he said darkly—"That was—that was when the Woman was in these islands."
"What woman?" said Calum, with the eager curiosity of youth.
But Coinneach seemed disinclined to answer.
"Have you not heard?" said he. "But it is wise not to speak of such things."
"What woman was that, Coinneach?" his companion persisted, fixing his eyes on Coinneach's face, that was full of a sombre meditation.
"Did you never hear of her—the Woman that was here before there were any people in these islands or in the mainland either? But it is not prudent to speak."
"Who was she, Coinneach?" said Calum. "Surely she cannot hurt you if she was dead these many thousands of years?"
"Do not say that," he responded rather gloomily. "Who can tell?—for there are strange things. You know I am not a coward, Calum."