The cows were standing ready in the place where Covan had left them, and they journeyed on all that day, till, when night fell, they reached the cottage.Joyful indeed was the old man as the cows went into their stables, and he beheld the rich milk that flowed into the pail of the golden-haired maiden with the silver comb.
'You have done well indeed,' he said to Covan son of Gorla.'And now, what would you have as a reward?'
'I want nothing for myself,' answered Covan the Brown-haired; 'but Iask you to give me back my brothers and my sister who have been lost to us for three years past.You are wise and know the lore of fairies and of witches; tell me where I can find them, and what I must do to bring them to life again.'
The old man looked grave at the words of Covan.
'Yes, truly I know where they are,' answered he, 'and I say not that they may not be brought to life again.But the perils are great--too great for you to overcome.'
'Tell me what they are,' said Covan again, 'and I shall know better if I may overcome them.'
'Listen, then, and judge.In the mountain yonder there dwells a roe, white of foot, with horns that branch like the antlers of a deer.On the lake that leads to the land of the Sun floats a duck whose body is green and whose neck is of gold.In the pool of Corri- Bui swims a salmon with a skin that shines like silver, and whose gills are red--bring them all to me, and then you shall know where dwell your brothers and your sister!'
'To-morrow at cock-crow I will begone!' answered Covan.
The way to the mountain lay straight before him, and when he had climbed high he caught sight of the roe with the white feet and the spotted sides, on the peak in front.
Full of hope he set out in pursuit of her, but by the time he had reached that peak she had left it and was to be seen on another.And so it always happened, and Covan's courage had well-nigh failed him, when the thought of the Dog of Maol-mor darted into his mind.
'Oh, that he was here!' he cried.And looking up he saw him.
'Why did you summon me?' asked the Dog of Maol-mor.And when Covan had told him of his trouble, and how the roe always led him further and further, the Dog only answered:
'Fear nothing; I will soon catch her for you.' And in a short while he laid the roe unhurt at Covan's feet.
'What will you wish me to do with her?' said the Dog.And Covan answered:
'The old man bade me bring her, and the duck with the golden neck, and the salmon with the silver sides, to his cottage; if I shall catch them, I know not.But carry you the roe to the back of the cottage, and tether her so that she cannot escape.'
'It shall be done,' said the Dog of Maol-mor.
Then Covan sped to the lake which led to the land of the Sun, where the duck with the green body and the golden neck was swimming among the water-lilies.
'Surely I can catch him, good swimmer as I am,' to himself.But, if he could swim well, the duck could swim better, and at length his strength failed him, and he was forced to seek the land.
'Oh that the black raven were here to help me!' he thought to himself.
And in a moment the black raven was perched on his shoulder.
'How can I help you?' asked the raven.And Covan answered:
'Catch me the green duck that floats on the water.' And the raven flew with his strong wings and picked him up in his strong beak, and in another moment the bird was laid at the feet of Covan.
This time it was easy for the young man to carry his prize, and after giving thanks to the raven for his aid, he went on to the river.
In the deep dark pool of which the old man had spoken the silver-sided salmon was lying under a rock.
'Surely I, good fisher as I am, can catch him,' said Covan son of Gorla.And cutting a slender pole from a bush, he fastened a line to the end of it.But cast with what skill he might, it availed nothing, for the salmon would not even look at the bait.
'I am beaten at last, unless the Doran-donn can deliver me,' he cried.
And as he spoke there was a swish of the water, and the face of the Doran-donn looked up at him.
'O catch me, I pray you, that salmon under the rock!' said Covan son of Gorla.And the Doran-donn dived, and laying hold of the salmon by his tail, bore it back to the place where Covan was standing.
'The roe, and the duck, and the salmon are here,' said Covan to the old man, when he reached the cottage.And the old man smiled on him and bade him eat and drink, and after he hungered no more, he would speak with him.
And this was what the old man said: 'You began well, my son, so things have gone well with you.You set store by your mother's blessing, therefore you have been blest.You gave food to the raven when it hungered, you were true to the promise you had made to me, and did not suffer yourself to be turned aside by vain shows.You were skilled to perceive that the boy who tempted you to leave the temple was a teller of false tales, and took with a grateful heart what the poor had to offer you.Last of all, difficulties gave you courage, instead of lending you despair.
And now, as to your reward, you shall in truth take your sister home with you, and your brothers I will restore to life; but idle and unfaithful as they are their lot is to wander for ever.And so farewell, and may wisdom be with you.'
'First tell me your name?' asked Covan softly.
'I am the Spirit of Age,' said the old man.
[Taken from a Celtic Story.Translated by Doctor Macleod Clarke.]
