Page:The book of wonder voyages (1919).djvu/133

 "On the morrow," said she, "you shall be answered."

So, after they had eaten and drunk, they laid them down to sleep, but when they awoke they were in their boat on a crag, and they saw neither the island, nor the fortress, nor the lady, nor the place where they had been.

They rowed further, till they came to another island, upon which were many trees, wherein dwelt numbers of birds. Landing, they met a man clothed solely with his own hair. They asked him who he was, and whence his kindred. And he answered:

"I am of the men of Ireland. I went forth on a pilgrimage in a small boat, which split under me when I had gone but a little way from land. But I was unwilling to give up my intent of pilgrimage and put back to shore, and there put a sod of my country's earth under my feet, and upon it I ventured again to sea. Now, the Lord set that sod for me in this place, and enlargeth it by a foot every year, and addeth a tree to grow therein. The birds which you behold in the trees are the souls of my children and kindred who await their doomsday. Angels are sent to feed me daily with half a cake, a slice of fish, and liquor from the well. Whey or water on Fridays and Wednesdays; sweet milk on Sundays and martyrs' feasts; but on the Apostles' feast days and those of Mary and John the Baptist, bright ale and wine. At noon every soul yonder receiveth the same, enough for each."