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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.
'My cave is just here, said the Dog of Maol-mor, of whom Covan son of Gorla had heard much. 'Spend the night here, and you shall be fed on the flesh of lamb, and shall lay aside three-thirds of thy weariness. And Covan entered, and supped, and slept, and in the morning rose up a new man. 'Farewell, Covan, said 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.
'Nay, then, answered Covan as before, 'it had been easier for you to call off your dogs than to come here to tell me. And he stayed where he was till the music ceased. Then he turned to look for the cows, and found them all lying in the place where he had left them; but when they saw Covan they rose up and walked homewards, taking a different path to that they had trod in the morning.
So if in time to come you need a friend, wish for me, and I will not fail you. As before, the cows were standing in the spot where he had left them, ready to set out. All that day they walked, on and on, and on, Covan son of Gorla walking behind them, till night fell while they were on the banks of a river. 'We can go no further, spake Covan to the cows.
And his father answered: 'Go, then, and take our blessing with you. So the wife of Gorla of the Flocks baked two cakes, one large and one small; and Covan took the small one, and started on his quest. In the wood he felt hungry, for he had walked far, and he sat down to eat.
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.
'Go with me thither, he said to Covan, 'and you shall lay aside three-thirds of your weariness, and depart in the morning refreshed, and Covan listened thankfully to his words, and at dawn he rose up to seek his cows. 'Farewell! cried the black raven. 'You trusted me, and took all I had to offer in return for the food you once gave me.
There was a desperate clutching of the claws to the earth, a slow flagging of the great wings, then the monster rolled over on his side and moved no more. Muffette was delivered. After this they all went back to the palace. The marriage took place the following day, and Muffette and her husband lived happy for ever after. The Adventures of Covan the Brown-Haired
'And now, what would you have as a reward? 'I want nothing for myself, answered Covan the Brown-haired; 'but I ask 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.
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