Page:Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland (Curtin).djvu/323

 She went away and he fell asleep. His comrades came in the morning and found him sleeping. They got breakfast, and, after eating, Cucúlin went out and called a challenge.

"Oh, 't is the same man as yesterday," said Thin-in-Iron, "and if I had cut the head off him then, it would n't be he that would trouble me to-day. If I live for it, I 'll bring his head in my hand to-night, and he 'll never disturb me again."

When Cucúlin saw Thin-in-Iron coming, he threw his sword aside, and facing him, caught him by the body, raised him up, then dashed him to the ground, and said, "If you don't give me what I want, I 'll cut the head off you."

"What do you want of me?" asked Thin-in-Iron.

"I want the rod of enchantment and the ring of youth you carried from the Gruagach."

"I did indeed carry them from him, but it would be no easy thing for me to give them to you or any other man; for a force came which took them from me."

"What could take them from you?" asked Cucúlin.

"The queen of the Wilderness, an old hag that has them now. But release me from this bondage and I 'll take you to my castle and entertain you well, and I 'll go with you and the rest of the company to see how will you thrive."