m to
a certainty.

Saint Patrick himself saw full well that the matter was no joke; but how
to rescue his Squire without using his sword, and against that all his
knightly feelings revolted, even he was sorely puzzled to discover.

As it happened, there dwelt not far off, in a lofty castle of iron walls
and golden battlements, a monstrous giant, who had long sought one of
these mermaids in marriage; but she fearing his temper, and not wishing
to leave her watery home had ever disdainfully refused to listen to his
proposals. He now was wandering along the shore in search of her to
prosecute his suit.

As he looked down into the cave and saw the mermaids, one of whom was
his beloved, pulling away on one side at the faithful Terence, while
Saint Patrick pulled on the other, he uttered a loud roar of rage and
fury. The sound so alarmed the mermaids that they let go their hold,
and fled away in terror, to hide themselves in their coral homes, while
Saint Patrick, looking up, beheld the Giant frowning down defiance at
him.

The Irish Champion, nothing daunted, drew his falchion. "Ah, my trusty
weapon, thou hast at length found a worthy enemy!" he exclaimed,
climbing up the cliff towards the Giant, closely followed by the
faithful Terence. Black as jet was the Giant, but blacker were his
looks, yet blackest of all were his intentions. Behind him stood a huge
crocodile, opening wide its immense jaws, and threatening to devour
anyone who came within their compass. Many a stout warrior would have
avoided the encounter; but Saint Patrick boldly advanced, trusting in a
good cause, his own arm, and his well-tempered sword, feeling assured,
also, that Terence would give a good account of the crocodile.

Quickly were heard to sound the ringing strokes of the Champion's trusty
falchion against the black shield of the Giant, whose huge battle-axe
dealt many a fearful blow in return. Fiercely raged the combat. Blow
after blow was given and taken with right good will, while the Giant
bellowed out so loudly his threats of vengeance against the valiant
Knight, that the rocks and distant mountains resounded with his cries
mingled with the clang of desperate strife.

Terence stood by to watch the contest, not to deprive his loved master
of a shred of glory, till he saw the crocodile opening his monstrous
jaws to snap at his legs. Then he saw that the time for action had
arrived, and, rushing up, began to assail the brute with