Ewen of the Little Head - Page 2

Hebrides; and he has
found his way to Ireland on these occasions long before steam navigation
was invented. About a century ago he took a fancy for a young man of his
own race, and frequently did him the honour of placing him behind himself
on horseback. He entered into conversation with him, and foretold many
circumstances connected with the fate of his successors, which have
undoubtedly since come to pass.

Many a long winter night have I listened to the feats of Ewen-a-chin-vig,
the faithful and indefatigable guardian of his ancient family, in the
hour of their last and greatest trial, affording an example worthy the
imitation of every chief,--perhaps not beneath the notice of Glengarry
himself.

About a dozen years since some symptoms of Ewen's decay gave very general
alarm to his friends. He accosted one of his own people (indeed he never
has been known to notice any other), and, shaking him cordially by the
hand, he attempted to place him on the saddle behind him, but the
uncourteous dog declined the honour. Ewen struggled hard, but the clown
was a great, strong, clumsy fellow, and stuck to the earth with all his
might. He candidly acknowledged, however, that his chief would have
prevailed, had it not been for a birch-tree which stood by, and which he
got within the fold of his left arm. The contest became very warm
indeed, and the tree was certainly twisted like an osier, as thousands
can testify who saw it as well as myself. At length, however, Ewen lost
his seat for the first time, and the instant the pony found he was his
own master, he set off with the fleetness of lightning. Ewen immediately
pursued his steed, and the wearied rustic sped his way homeward. It was
the general opinion that Ewen found considerable difficulty in catching
the horse; but I am happy to learn that he has been lately seen riding
the old mouse-coloured pony without the least change in either the horse
or the rider. Long may he continue to do so!

Those who from motives of piety or curiosity have visited the sacred
island of Iona, must remember to have seen the guide point out the tomb
of Ewen, with his figure on horseback, very elegantly sculptured in alto-
relievo, and many of the above facts are on such occasions related.