Page:Beside the Fire - Douglas Hyde.djvu/195

 Rh king of the castle of Bwee-sounee. You're in search of the Well of D'yerree-in-Dowan."

"I am, indeed," said the king's son.

"Many's the good man went that way before you; but not a man of them came back alive," said the old man; "however, I'll do my best for you. Stop here to-night, and we'll have sport to-morrow."

Then he dressed a supper and gave it to the king's son, and when he ate and drank, the old man put him to sleep.

In the morning of the day on the morrow, the old man said:

"I found out where the Well of D'yerree-in-Dowan is; but it is difficult to go as far as it. We must find out if there's any good in you with the tight loop (bow?)."

Then he brought the king's son out into the wood, gave him the loop, and put a mark on a tree two score yards from him, and told him to strike it. He drew the loop and struck the mark.

"You'll do the business," said the old man.

They then went in, and spent the day telling stories till the darkness of the night was come.

When the darkness of the night was come, the old man gave him a loop (bow?) and a sheaf of sharp stings (darts), and said:

"Come with me now."

They were going until they came to a great river. Then the old man said:

"Go on my back, and I'll swim across the river with you; but if you see a great bird coming, kill him, or we shall be lost."

Then the king's son got on the old man's back, and the old man began swimming. When they were in the middle of the river the king's son saw a great eagle