ghest mountain in
the world, could make it into a level plain in the beat of a bird's
wing; from Clust, who, though he were buried under the earth, could yet
hear the ant leave her nest fifty miles away: from these and from Kai
and from Bedwyr and from all thy mighty men I crave this boon.'

'O Kilwch,' said Arthur, 'never have I heard of the maiden of whom thou
speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will send messengers to seek her if
thou wilt give me time.'

'From this night to the end of the year right willingly will I grant
thee,' replied Kilwch; but when the end of the year came and the
messengers returned Kilwch was wroth, and spoke rough words to Arthur.

It was Kai, the boldest of the warriors and the swiftest of foot--he who
could pass nine nights without sleep, and nine days beneath the
water--that answered him:

'Rash youth that thou art, darest thou speak thus to Arthur? Come with
us, and we will not part company till we have won that maiden, or till
thou confess that there is none such in the world.'

Then Arthur summoned his five best men and bade them go with Kilwch.
There was Bedwyr the one-handed, Kai's comrade and brother in arms, the
swiftest man in Britain save Arthur; there was Kynddelig, who knew the
paths in a land where he had never been as surely as he did those of his
own country; there was Gwrhyr, that could speak all tongues; and
Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, who never returned till he had gained what
he sought; and last of all there was Menw, who could weave a spell over
them so that none might see them, while they could see every one.

* * * * *

So these seven journeyed together till they reached a vast open plain
in which was a fair castle. But though it seemed so close it was not
until the evening of the third day that they really drew near to it, and
in front of it a flock of sheep was spread, so many in number that there
seemed no end to them. A shepherd stood on a mound watching over them,
and by his side was a dog, as large as a horse nine winters old.

'Whose is this castle, O herdsman?' asked the knights.

'Stupid are ye truly,' answered the herdsman. 'All the world knows that
this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr.'

'And who art thou?'

'I am called Custennin, brother of Yspaddaden, and ill has he treated
me. And who are you, and what do you here?'

'We come from Arthur the king, to seek Olwen the daughter of
Yspaddaden,' but at this new