l, nor least brave of
the tribes of the Gael.

"The first stage of the Fiery Cross is to Duncraggan, a place near
the Brigg of Turk, where a short stream divides Loch Achray from Loch
Vennachar. From thence, it passes towards Callander, and then, turning
to the left up the pass of Leny, is consigned to Norman at the Chapel of
Saint Bride, which stood on a small and romantic knoll in the middle of
the valley, called Strath-Ire. Tombea and Arnandave, or Adrmandave,
are names of places in the vicinity. The alarm is then supposed to pass
along the Lake of Lubnaig, and through the various glens in the district
of Balquidder, including the neighboring tracts of Glenfinlas and
Strath-Gartney."

453. Strath-Ire. This valley connects Lochs Voil and Lubnaig. The
Chapel of Saint Bride is about half a mile from the southern end of Loch
Lubnaig, on the banks of the River Leny, a branch of the Teith (hence
"Teith's young waters"). The churchyard, with a few remains of the
chapel, are all that now mark the spot.

458. Until, where, etc. The MS. reads:

"And where a steep and wooded knoll
Graced the dark strath with emerald green."

465. Though reeled his sympathetic eye. That is, his eye reeled in
sympathy with the movement of the waters--a poetic expression of what
every one has felt when looking into a "dizzily dancing" stream.

478. That morning-tide. That morning time. Tide in this sense is now
used only in a few poetic compounds like eventide, springtide, etc. See
iv. 59 below. For its former use, cf. Spenser, F. Q. i. 2. 29: "and rest
their weary limbs a tide;" Id. iii. 6. 21: "that mine may be your paine
another tide," etc. See also Scott's Lay, vi. 50: "Me lists not at this
tide declare."

483. Bridal. Bridal party; used as a collective noun.

485. Coif-clad. Wearing the coif, or curch. See on 114 above; as also
for snooded.

488. Unwitting. Unknowing. Cf. 367 above. For the verb wit, see on i.
596 above.

495. Kerchief. Curch, which is etymologically the same word, and means a
covering for the head. Some eds. print "'kerchief," as if the word were
a contraction of handkerchief.

508. Muster-place. The 1st ed. has "mustering place;" and in 519
"brooks" for brook.

510. And must he, etc. The MS. reads: "And must he then exchange the
hand."

528. Lugnaig's lake. loch Lubnaig is about four miles long and a mile
broad, hemmed in by steep, and rugged mountains. The view of Benledi
f