Description

This little misadventure vividlyreflects Island life in easternKings County in the late pioneer era. Itwas published in the MontaguePioneers edition of 18 February 1880.The incident in question occurred on afoggy, late-April night "a good manyyears ago," after Norman "McRuiridh"set out from Georgetown to walkhome along the Cardigan River.Norman's tale is related in an easymanner, with the flavour of a storytold many times before it was setdown in writing. Notwithstanding theseriousness of Norman's situation, itis recounted with mock-heroichumour. The "hero," who is identifiedby the pseudonym NormanMcRuiridh (literally, "son of Rory"),is a Gaelic singer and songmakerfrom the Isle of Skye who had settledat Mitchell River, a small tributary of Ithe Cardigan.