by his Druids, his brehons,
and his bards, was the king of Erin, and at his feet sat the lovely
Lady Mave.

As Enda stepped out upon the lawn, he saw Congal advancing from the
ranks of the nobles, and the two champions approached each other until
they met right in front of the throne.

Then both turned towards the throne, and bowed to the king and the
Princess Mave; and then facing each other again, they retired a space,
and when their spears were poised, ready for battle, the king gave the
signal, which was answered by the clang of stricken shields, and
Congal and Enda launched their gleaming spears. They flashed like
lightning in the sunlit air, and in a second Congal's had broken
against Enda's shield; but Enda's, piercing Congal's helmet, hurled
him senseless on the plain.

The nobles and chiefs could hardly realize that in that single second
their boldest champion was overthrown; but when they saw him stretched
motionless on the grassy sward, from out their ranks six warriors
advanced to where the chieftain lay, and sadly they bore him away upon
their battle-shields, and Enda remained victor upon the field.

And then the king's voice rang out clear as the sound of a trumpet in
the still morning:

"Bards and brehons, princes and nobles, and chiefs of Erin, Enda has
proved himself a battle champion, and who amongst you now will dare
gainsay his right to claim my daughter for his bride?"

And no answer came.

But when he summoned Enda to his throne, and placed the lady's hand in
his, a cheer arose from the great assembly, that proved that jealousy
was extinguished in all hearts, and that all believed that Enda was
worthy of the winsome bride; and never since that day, although a
thousand years have passed, was there in all the world a brighter and
gayer wedding than the wedding of Enda and the Princess Mave.

THE LITTLE WHITE CAT

A long, long time ago, in a valley far away, the giant Trencoss lived
in a great castle, surrounded by trees that were always green. The
castle had a hundred doors, and every door was guarded by a huge,
shaggy hound, with tongue of fire and claws of iron, who tore to
pieces anyone who went to the castle without the giant's leave.
Trencoss had made war on the King of the Torrents, and, having killed
the king, and slain his people, and burned his palace, he carried off
his only daughter, the Princess Eileen, to the castle in the valley.
Here he provided her with beautiful