Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER VII: THE VOYAGE OF MAELDUN 273them was a big man who tended the flocks, and sometimes he puta white sheep among the black, when it became black at once,or a black sheep among the white, when it immediately turnedwhite. 196 By way of an experiment Maeldūn flung a peeled whitewand on the side of the black sheep. It at once turned black,whereat they left the place in terror, and without landing.The Island of the Giant CattleA great and wide island with a herd of huge swine on it. Theykilled a small pig and roasted it on the spot, as it was too greatto carry on board. The island rose up into a very high mountain,and Diuran and Germān went to view the country from the topof it. On their way they met a broad river. To try the depth of [318]the water Germān dipped in the haft of his spear, which at oncewas consumed as with liquid fire. On the other bank was a hugeman guarding what seemed a herd of oxen. He called to them notto disturb the calves, so they went no further and speedily sailedaway.The Island of the MillHere they found a great and grim-looking mill, and a giantmiller grinding corn in it. “Half the corn of your country,” hesaid, “is ground here. Here comes to be ground all that menbegrudge to each other.” Heavy and many were the loads theysaw going to it, and all that was ground in it was carried awaywestwards. So they crossed themselves and sailed away.The Island of the Black MournersAn island full of black people continually weeping andlamenting. One of the two remaining foster-brothers landedon it, and immediately turned black and fell to weeping like therest. Two others went to fetch him; the same fate befell them.Four others then went with their heads wrapped in cloths, thatthey should not look on the land or breathe the air of the place,and they seized two of the lost ones and brought them away196 The same phenomenon is recorded as being witnessed by Peredur in theWelsh tale of that name in the “Mabinogion.”