[39] Gregory’s _West Highlands and Islands_, p. 285. [40] Tradition is pretty uniform that Sir Lachlan was killed by the arrow of a little man, and the above is probably only a superstitious version of the real circumstances. The story of powerful warriors, however, struck in the forehead by the arrows of little men, like the stories of Tell and the apple, and Alfred and the cakes, is told of too many persons to be above the suspicion of being a popular myth. The natives of one of the villages in Tiree are known by the nickname of “Clann Du-shith” and “Sìthbheirean.” The assertion that Du-sìth was the ancient name of Duncan is incorrect, as one of those from whom the village nickname was derived was called Donnchadh mòr mac Dhu-shìth. The little man, who killed Lachunn Mor is also known as an _t-ochdarann bodaich_, the eighth part measure of a carle. [41] It is often observable in popular tales that articles of modern use are ascribed to those who lived before their invention. Anachronisms are not heeded in popular lore. [42] This _Dò’il MacJain_ is probably the _Dò’il du beag Innse-ruithe_, a celebrated bowman and follower of Cameron of Locheil, and, as his name denotes, a person of small stature, who, according to tradition, shot the arrow that nailed the hand of Big Angus Macian (Aonghas Mòr Mac’ic Eòin) of Ardnamurchan, one of the most stalwart men of his day, to his forehead, in Coir Ospuinn, in Morvern, circ. A.D. 1596. Others say _Jain du beag_ (little black John) was the hunter whose arrow struck the hind. Another (perhaps the same) celebrated Lochaber archer was _Jain beag a bhuilg bhàin_ (little John of the white bag) from Coiruanain. [43] Several versions of the song will be found in Campbell’s _Leabhar na Feinne_, p. 198. According to the Skye tradition, the secret of Oisian’s birth was not known till notice was taken of his never eating venison like the rest of the host. On being questioned, he said, “When everyone picks his mother’s shank bone, I will pick my own mother’s slender shank bone.” [44] This version was originally taken down in Gaelic from the recitation of Malcolm Sinclair, Balefuill, Tiree. The tale was known in Ireland, and the reputation of it still survives very extensively throughout the Highlands. [45] This rendering of the popular incantation differs somewhat from that given by Mr. Campbell himself. The Gaelic version is the best the writer has been able to fall in with. Var. _An laogh maol carrach is miosa na ainm_, “the polled-scabbed calf, that is worse than its name, take off your head,” etc. [46] This version of the story is from Skye. A version from Uist is given in Campbell’s _Tales of the West Highlands_, ii. 68. It varies merely in representing the thirsty man as a traveller, who, in consequence of refusing from the Fairy the drink for which he had wished, was drowned at the next ferry.