himself. Finding this, he invites him to lop so that he outlopped
him as far a length. The Irishman then said, 'I have travelled as
far as any of my equals, both in Scotland, England, and Ireland, and
tried many hands, but I never met with my equal till this day,
but comrade,' say's he 'let us now go and swim a little in the
laird's presence.' 'With all my heart,' say's Duncan, 'for I never
sought better' (with this Duncan could swim not at all), but down
to the shore they go to the next rock, and being full sea, was at
least three fathoms deep, but before the Irishman had off half of
his clothes Duncan was stark naked, lops over the rocks and ducks
to the bottom and up again. Looking about him he calls to a boy
that stood by, and said, 'Lad, go where the Lady is, and bid her
send me a butter and four cheese.' The Irishman, hearing this,
asks `what purpose.' 'To what purpose,' says he, 'yons the least we
will need this night and to-morrow wherever we be,' 'Do you intend a
journey,' say's the Irishman. 'Aye, that I do,' answered the other,
'and am in hopes to cross the Kyle ere night.' Now, this Kyle was
20 leagues off with a very ill stream, as the Irishman very well
knew, so that he said, with a very great oath, lie would not go with
him that length, but if he liked to sport the laird with several
sorts of swimming, he would give a trial. 'Sport here, sport there,
wherever I go you must go.' With this the cheese and butter come,
and Duncan desires the Irishman to make ready, but all his
persuasions (not against his will) would not prevail with
Mac a Chruimb, whereupon all the company gave over with laughter,
knowing the other could swim none at all, but the fellow thought
they jeered him. The laird made Duncan forbear him; but Duncan
swore a great oath he would make him swim or he left the town,
otherwise he would want of his will. So it came to pass for the
Irishman got away that same night, was seen on the morrow in