A ploughman was once engaged with his team, consisting of two oxen and two horses, with a boy to guide them, in tilling a field at Humshaugh, near the North Tyne, which was reputed to be haunted by the fairies. While at one of the ‘land ends’ he hears a great kirnin’ going on, somewhere near him. He made another circuit, and listening, was aware of a doleful voice lamenting: ‘Alack- a-day I’ve broken my kirn-staff, what will I do?’ ‘Give it to me, and I’ll mend it,’” cries the good-natured ploughman; and on his return from the next ‘bout,’ he found the kirn-staff laid out for him, along with a hammer and nails. He carefully repaired and left it, when after making another turn he came back to the spot it was gone, and a liberal supply of bread and butter was set down in its place. He and the boy partook of the repast, and all the cattle had a share, except one ox, which resisted every effort to force the food upon it. Before he got to the next land’s end the stubborn brute dropped down dead. I have heard the story told in almost the same manner in Berwickshire. Denham 136-137