thrown across, over which you can pass safely to the fields of Erin;
but take care and do not draw your sword, for if you do your steed will
bear you back again to the Floating Island, and here you must remain
forever." Then handing the bodkin to the prince, and saying good-by,
the little woman disappeared.

The next morning the queen and the prince and all the court went out
to hunt, and a fleet white deer started out before them, and the royal
party pressed after him in pursuit. The prince's steed outstripped the
others, and when he was alone the prince flung the reins upon his
horse's neck, and before long he came to the edge of the lake.

Then the prince cast the bodkin on to the water, and a golden bridge was
thrown across to the mainland, and the horse galloped on to it, and when
the prince was more than halfway he saw riding towards him a champion
wearing a silver helmet, and carrying on his left arm a silver shield,
and holding in his right hand a gleaming sword. As he came nearer he
struck his shield with his sword and challenged the prince to battle.
The prince's sword almost leaped out of its scabbard at the martial
sound, and, like a true knight of Tara, he dashed against his foe, and
swinging his sword above his head, with one blow he clove the silver
helmet, and the strange warrior reeled from his horse and fell upon the
golden bridge. The prince, content with this achievement, spurred his
horse to pass the fallen champion, but the horse refused to stir, and
the bridge broke in two almost at his feet, and the part of it between
him and the mainland disappeared beneath the lake, carrying with it the
horse and the body of the champion, and before the prince could recover
from his surprise, his steed wheeled round and was galloping back, and
when he reached the land he rushed through the forest, and the prince
was not able to pull him up until he came to the palace door.

All that night the prince lay awake on his couch with his eyes fixed
upon the window, but no shadow fell upon the floor, and there was no
tapping at the pane, and with a heavy heart he joined the hunting party
in the morning. And day followed day, and his heart was sadder and
sadder, and found no pleasure in the joys and delights of fairyland. And
when all in the palace were at rest he used to roam through the forest,
always thinking of the Princess Ailinn, and hoping against hope that the
little woman would come again to him, but at last h