A long time ago a wandering minstrel called at
the castle and was offered food and a bed for the night. The Lord
of Bellister was suspicious of his visitor and thought he was up
to no good, and the more the Lord watched the minstrel the more he
convinced he became that he was right.
The minstrel well aware of the Lord's hostile attitude thought it
would be better if he left the castle, so instead of going to the
room which had been prepared for him the minstrel slipped outside
were he felt more safe. This was to be a terrible mistake by the
minstrel, as the Lord thought it confirmed what he had thought all
along, that the minstrel could not be trusted.
The Lord called for his servants to bring the hounds immediately
and they went in pursuit of the minstrel. The minstrel hearing the
hounds realised he was in great danger and fled for his life, but
the dogs and servants were faster and the minstrel was caught by
the banks of the river. When the Lord and servants caught up with
the hounds it was to late, the hounds had ripped the minstrel to
pieces. It was said the Lord spent the rest of his life with
visions of the minstrel pointing an accusing finger at him. The
locals still insist that at night they hear the baying of the
hounds and the terrified shrieks of the Old Man of Bellister.
