Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

252 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[294]all mounting up on the Gilla Dacar's steed. On this the newcomercomplained that he was being mocked, and he shambled awayin great discontent till he was over the ridge of the hill, when hetucked up his skirts and ran westwards, faster than any Marchwind, toward the sea-shore in Co. Kerry. Thereupon at once thesteed, which had stood still with drooping ears while the thirteenriders in vain belaboured it to make it move, suddenly threw upits head and started off in a furious gallop after its master. TheFianna ran alongside, as well as they could for laughter, whileConan, in terror and rage, reviled them for not rescuing him andhis comrades. At last the thing became serious. The Gilla Dacarplunged into the sea, and the mare followed him with her thirteenriders, and one more who managed to cling to her tail just asshe left the shore; and all of them soon disappeared towards thefabled region of the West.Dermot at the WellFinn and the remaining Fianna now took counsel together asto what should be done, and finally decided to fit out a ship andgo in search of their comrades. After many days of voyagingthey reached an island guarded by precipitous cliffs. DermotO'Dyna, as the most agile of the party, was sent to climb themand to discover, if he could, some means of helping up the restof the party. When he arrived at the top he found himself ina delightful land, full of the song of birds and the humming ofbees and the murmur of streams, but with no sign of habitation.Going into a dark forest, he soon came to a well, by which hunga curiously wrought drinking-horn. As he filled it to drink, alow, threatening murmur came from the well, but his thirst wastoo keen to let him heed it and he drank his fill. In no long timethere came through the wood an armed warrior, who violentlyupbraided him for drinking from his well. The Knight of theWell and Dermot then fought all the afternoon without either ofthem prevailing over the other, when, as evening drew on, theknight suddenly leaped into the well and disappeared. Next day