Chapter XLV: Ridere of Riddles

_Source._--Campbell, _West Highland Tales_, No. xxii. vol. ii. p. 36, _seq._ I have modified the end, which has a polygamous complexion.

_Parallels._--Campbell points out that the story is in the main identical with the Grimms' "Raethsel," No. xxii. There the riddle is: "One slew none, and yet slew twelve." MacDougall has the same story in _Waifs and Strays_, iii. pp. 76 _seq._

_Remarks._--There can be no doubt that the Celtic and German Riddle Stories are related genealogically. Which is of the earlier generation is, however, more difficult to determine. In favour of the Celtic is the polygamous framework; while on the other hand, it is difficult to guess how the story could have got from the Highlands to Germany. The simpler form of the riddle in the German version might seem to argue greater antiquity.