The Mystery of the Sea

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“To win the mystery o’ the sea, “An’ learn the secrets that there be, “Gather in ane these weirds three:

“A gowden moon on a flowin’ tide; “An’ Lammas floods for the spell to bide; “An’ a gowden mon wi death for his bride.”

[Gælic verse and English translation.]

I had just arrived at Cruden Bay on my annual visit, and after a late breakfast was sitting on the low wall which was a continuation of the escarpment of the bridge over the Water of Cruden. Opposite to me, across the road and standing under the only little clump of trees in the place was a tall, gaunt old woman, who kept looking at me intently. As I sat, a little group, consisting of a man and two women, went by. I found my eyes follow them, for it seemed to me after they had passed me that the two women walked together and the man alone in front carrying on his shoulder a little black box—a coffin. I shuddered as I thought, but a moment later I saw all three abreast just as they had been. The old woman was now looking at me with eyes that blazed. She came across the road and said to me without preface:

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