h he never saw the
like.

But about the time when he should drive the cattle home-wards, whom
should he see coming but a great giant with a sword in his hand? "HI!
HO!! HOGARACH!!!" says the giant. "Those cattle are mine; they are on
my land, and a dead man art thou." "I say not that," says the herd;
"there is no knowing, but that may be easier to say than to do."

He drew the great clean-sweeping sword, and he neared the giant. The
herd drew back his sword, and the head was off the giant in a
twinkling. He leaped on the black horse, and he went to look for the
giant's house. In went the herd, and that's the place where there was
money in plenty, and dresses of each kind in the wardrobe with gold
and silver, and each thing finer than the other. At the mouth of night
he took himself to the king's house, but he took not a thing from the
giant's house. And when the cattle were milked this night there _was_
milk! He got good feeding this night, meat and drink without stint,
and the king was hugely pleased that he had caught such a herd. He
went on for a time in this way, but at last the glen grew bare of
grass, and the grazing was not so good.

So he thought he would go a little farther forward in on the giant's
land; and he sees a great park of grass. He returned for the cattle,
and he put them into the park.

They were but a short time grazing in the park when a great wild giant
came, full of rage and madness. "HI! HAW!! HOGARAICH!!!" said the
giant; "it is a drink of thy blood that will quench my thirst this
night." "There is no knowing," said the herd, "but that's easier to
say than to do." And at each other went the men. _There_ was shaking
of blades! At length and at last it seemed as if the giant would get
the victory over the herd. Then he called on the dog, and with one
spring the black dog caught the giant by the neck, and swiftly the
herd struck off his head.

He went home very tired this night, but it's a wonder if the king's
cattle had not milk. The whole family was delighted that they had got
such a herd.

Next day he betakes himself to the castle. When he reached the door, a
little flattering carlin met him standing in the door. "All hail and
good luck to thee, fisher's son! 't is I myself am pleased to see
thee; great is the honour for this kingdom, for thy like to be come
into it--thy coming in is fame for this little bothy; go in first;
honour to the gentles; go in, and take breath."

"In before