The King of Ireland's Son

es into three maidens and went to bathe in the lake. The one who carried the green sc

earch for her swanskin. She searched and searched, and at last the King's Son heard her say, "I would do anything in the world for the creature who would find my swanskin for me

ou," said the maiden. "I do not want anyt

w to get there wi

l be co

wed you the way. And he must not know when yo

owed me the way and I will

a tree. "That falcon is my own bird," said she. "Follow where it flies and you will come to my father's house. And now go

ed on a chair of gold was the man who seemed so tall when he threw down the cards upon the heap of stones. The Enchanter did not recognize the King's Son without his hawk and his hound and the fine clothes he used to wear. He a

for me. If you are able to do them I will give you one of my three daughters in marriage. I

said the King

nlucky that you came to-day. In this country we eat a mea

ing's Son, "I can do without food or d

t sleep too?" said the Encha

d the King of

ed him a dry narrow water-tank at the gable end of the house. "There is where you are to sleep" said

middle of the night Fedelma came and brought him into a fine room where he ate and then slept until the sun

ll show you the first task you have to perform." He took him to where a herd of goats was grazing. Away from the goats was a fawn with white feet a

es can bring her into my goat-house. Here is your first task-run down Whitefoot the Fawn and bring her with my goats int

and his despair was great. Then his name was called and he saw Fedelma coming towards him. She looked at him as though she were in dread, and said, "What task has my father set you?" He to

wiftness. With these on your feet you can run down Whitefoot the Fawn. But you must catch her before she has gone very far away. Remember that she must be brought in when the goats are going into their shelter at sunset. You wi

went into the wood. Now he could go as the eagle flies.

t he beat her from the last thicket. It was the hour of noon-tide then. There was a clear plain before them and with the Shoes of Sw

he Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands he saw the goats going quickly before him. They were hurrying from their pastures to the goat-shelter, one stopping, maybe, to bite the top of a he

ngry that he struck an old full-bearded goat that had stopped to rub itself. The goat reared up and struck him with his horns. "Well," said the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands, "you have performed your first ta

s tired with his day's journey after Whitefoot the Fawn. It was his ho