Page:The book of wonder voyages (1919).djvu/146

 fish supply ceased and I fasted again for the space of three days. Then on the third noon half a wheaten cake and a piece of fish were cast up and a cup of good liquor came to me. Thus I receive food every day. And neither wind nor wet, nor heat nor cold affects me."

Now when the hour of noon arrived, half a cake and a piece of fish came for every man, and in the cup which stood before the cleric was found each man's fill of good liquor. And the cleric spake to them: "You will all reach your country save one man. And you, Maelduin, will find the man who slew your father in a fortress. Slay him not but forgive him, for God hath saved you from many great perils, and ye, too, are men deserving death."

Then they bade him farewell and resumed their journey.

They drove forth over the ocean until they came to an island wherein was a great level plain, and on this plain a vast multitude playing and laughing without stay or pause. Lots were cast by Maelduin and his men to see unto whom it should fall to enter the island and explore it, and the lot fell upon the third of Maelduin's foster brethren. So he left the boat, but no sooner had he set foot to ground when he, too, began to play and laugh without ceasing. In vain did his comrades call him back. He leaped and laughed and sang as though all his life he had been one of the islanders. So after waiting a long time they put forth again,