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 to be seen in any point of the heavens; notwithstanding the darkness above and around us the sea shone as though on fire. Mountainous waves rose and raced each other, and I thought that death would certainly overtake me in the midst of the sea; but Niav laughed and bade me observe how the white horse rode over the tempestuous waves without even wetting its fetlocks.

"'Must all who go to your country pass by these perils?' I asked Niav again, for I knew some who had been to Tir-na-noge, but I had never heard them speak of their journey thither.

"'There is no other way for those who seek the Island of the Ever-Young,' answered Niav. 'Soon, however, we shall reach a pleasanter region.'

"The wind ceased, and the sky grew bright again. In a little while we came to a very calm sea, green as grass and so clear that looking down I could see at the bottom a beautiful shining city of white marble palaces, and smooth flowery lawns where multitudes of people walked. The music of their speech