Лучшие сказки загадочной Шотландии. Уровень 1 / The Best Tales of Enchanted Scotland

Both were very fond of the chase. One day Earl Gregory offered to go a-hunting[16 - to go a-hunting – пойти поохотиться] on the moor.

“I hardly believe in the Elfin Knight at all,” cried the young man, with a laugh. “I think it is just an old wife's tale for the bairns[17 - bairn – шотл. ребёнок, дитя]. We – two bearded men – will pay no heed to such talk.”

But Earl St. Clair looked grave.

“It is not a tale for the bairns,” he answered, “the travellers vanished there.

That Elfin Knight claimed the land as his. I know, however, how to be safe from the Knight's power. It's necessary to wear the Sign of the Blessed Trinity. So let us bind that on our arm and ride forth without fear.”

Sir Gregory burst into a loud laugh at these words.

“Do you think that I am a bairn?” he said. “To be frightened by an idle tale? And then to think that a leaf of clover will protect me? No, no, carry that Sign if you want. I will trust to my good bow and arrow.

”

Earl St. Clair did not heed his companion's words. When he was a little lad, his mother warned him. Whoso carried the Sign of the Blessed Trinity will never fear any spell by Warlock or Witch, Elf or Demon.

So he went out to the meadow. He plucked a leaf of clover. He bound it on his arm with a silken scarf. Then he mounted his horse and rode with Earl Gregory to the desolate and lonely moorland.

For some hours all went well. The young men forgot their fears.

Then suddenly both of them reined in their steeds and became silent. A horseman crossed their track. They both did not know who he was and whence he came.

“He rides in haste, whoever he may be,” said Earl Gregory at last. “Look! For every league that my horse goes, his goes seven. Let us follow him! Let us see from what part of the world he comes.”

“Don't follow him,” said Earl St. Clair devoutly. “Why, man, it is the Elfin Knight! Can't you see that he does not ride on the solid ground? He flies through the air.

It will be an evil day for you when you follow him.”

But Earl St. Clair forgot that he carried a Talisman which his companion lacked. That Talisman enabled him to see things as they really were. So he was startled and amazed when Earl Gregory said sharply,

“You are mad over this Elfin King. I tell you:he is a Knight in a green vesture. I want to know his name and degree. I will follow him till I find him.