d to rein in his steed, but the impetuous
animal bore him on, and soon was clattering over the stony floor of the
cave in perfect darkness. Cuglas could hear ahead of him the cries of
the hounds growing fainter and fainter, as they increased the distance
between them and him. Then the cries ceased altogether, and the only
sound the prince heard was the noise of his horse's hoofs sounding in
the hollow cave. Once more he endeavored to check his career, but the
reins broke in his hands, and in that instant the prince felt the horse
had taken a plunge into a gulf, and was sinking down and down, as a
stone cast from the summit of a cliff sinks down to the sea. At last the
horse struck the ground again, and the prince was almost thrown out of
his saddle, but he succeeded in regaining his seat. Then on through
the darkness galloped the steed, and when he came into the light the
prince's eyes were for some time unable to bear it. But when he got used
to the brightness he saw he was galloping over a grassy plain, and in
the distance he perceived the hounds rushing towards a wood faintly
visible through a luminous summer haze. The prince galloped on, and as
he approached the wood he saw coming towards him a comely champion,
wearing a shining brown cloak, fastened by a bright bronze spear-like
brooch, and bearing a white hazel wand in one hand, and a single-edged
sword with a hilt made from the tooth of a sea-horse in the other;[5]
and the prince knew by the dress of the champion, and by his wand and
sword, that he was a royal herald. As the herald came close to him the
prince's steed stopped of his own accord.

"You are welcome, Cuglas," said the herald, "and I have been sent by the
Princess Crede to greet you and to lead you to her court, where you have
been so long expected."

"I know not how this may be," said Cuglas.

"How it has come about I shall tell you as we go along," said the
herald. "The Princess Crede is the Queen of the Floating Island. And it
chanced, once upon a day, when she was visiting her fairy kinsmen, who
dwell in one of the pleasant hills that lie near Tara, she saw you with
the high king and princes and nobles of Erin following the chase. And
seeing you her heart went out to you, and wishing to bring you to her
court, she sent one of her nymphs, in the form of a deer, to lure you
on through the cave, which is the entrance to this land."

"I am deeply honored by the preference shown me by the princess,"