It was one evening in the summer of the year 1755 that Campbell ofInverawe {157} was on Cruachan hill side. He was startled by seeing aman coming towards him at full speed; a man ragged, bleeding, andevidently suffering agonies of terror. "The avengers of blood are onmy track, Oh, save me!" the poor wretch managed to gasp out.Inverawe, filled with pity for the miserable man, swore "By the wordof an Inverawe which never failed friend or foe yet" to save him.Inverawe then led the stranger to the secret cave on Cruachan hillside.None knew of this cave but the laird of Inverawe himself, as thesecret was most carefully kept and had been handed down from father toson for many generations. The entrance was small, and no one passingwould for an instant suspect it to be other than a tod's hole, {158a}but within were fair-sized rooms, one containing a well of the purestspring water. It is said that Wallace and Bruce had made use of thiscave in earlier days.Here Inverawe left his guest. The man was so overcome by terror thathe clung on to Inverawe's plaid, {158b} imploring him not to leave himalone. Inverawe was filled with disgust at this cowardly conduct, andalready almost repented having plighted his word to save such aworthless creature.On Inverawe's return home he found a man in a state of greatexcitement waiting to see him. This man informed him of the murder ofhis (Inverawe's) foster-brother by one Macniven. "We have," said he,"tracked the murderer to within a short distance of this place, and Iam here to warn you in case he should seek your protection." Inveraweturned pale and remained silent, not knowing what answer to give. Theman, knowing the love that subsisted between the foster-brothers,thought this silence arose from grief alone, and left the house topursue the search for Macniven further.The compassion Inverawe felt for the trembling man he had left in thecave turned to hate when he thought of his beloved foster-brothermurdered; but as he had plighted his word to save him, save him hemust and would. As soon, therefore, as night fell he went to the cavewith food, and promised to return with more the next day.Thoroughly worn out, as soon as he reached home he retired to rest,but sleep he could not. So taking up a book he began to read. Ashadow fell across the page. He looked up and saw his foster-brotherstanding by the bedside. But, oh, how changed! His fair hair clottedwith blood; his face pale and drawn, and his garments all gory. Heuttered the following words: "Inverawe, shield not the murderer;blood must flow for blood," and then faded away out of sight.In spite of the spirit's commands, Inverawe remained true to hispromise, and returned next day to Macniven with fresh provisions.That night his foster-brother again appeared to him uttering the samewarning: "Inverawe, Inverawe, shield not the murderer; blood mustflow for blood". At daybreak Inverawe hurried off to the cave, andsaid to Macniven: "I can shield you no longer; you must escape asbest you can". Inverawe now hoped to receive no further visit fromthe vengeful spirit. In this he was disappointed, for at the usualhour the ghost appeared, and in anger said, "I have warned you once, Ihave warned you twice; it is too late now. We shall meet again at
