Sometimes deer ran by themover the water, followed by red-eared hounds in full chase; sometimes amaiden holding up an apple of gold; sometimes a beautiful youth; but theythemselves rode on always westward.At last they drew near an island which was not, Niam said, the islandthey were seeking; but it was one where a beautiful princess was keptunder a spell until some defender should slay a cruel giant who held herunder enchantment until she should either wed him or furnish a defender.The youth Usheen, being an Irishman and not easily frightened, naturallyoffered his services as defender, and they waited three days and nights tocarry on the conflict. He had fought at home--so the legend says--withwild boars, with foreign invaders, and with enchanters, but he never hadquite so severe a contest as with this giant; but after he had cut off hisopponent's head and had been healed with precious balm by the beautifulprincess, he buried the giant's body in a deep grave and placed above it agreat stone engraved in the Ogham alphabet--in which all the letters aregiven in straight lines.After this he and Niam again mounted the white steed and galloped awayover the waves. Niam was again singing, when soft music began to be heardin the distance, as if in the centre of the setting sun. They drew nearerand nearer to a shore where the very trees trembled with the multitude ofbirds that sang upon them; and when they reached the shore, Niam gave onenote of song, and a band of youths and maidens came rushing towards themand embraced them with eagerness.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36