prise upon which
Kai was bound. None were equal to him in swiftness throughout this
Island except Arthur and Drych Ail Kibddar. And although he was
one-handed, three warriors could not shed blood faster than he on the
field of battle. Another property he had, his lance would produce a
wound equal to those of nine opposing lances.

And Arthur called to Kynddelig the Guide, "Go thou upon this expedition
with the chieftain." For as good a guide was he in a land which he had
never seen as he was in his own.

He called Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, because he knew all tongues.

He called Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, because he never returned home
without achieving the adventure of which he went in quest. He was the
best of footmen and the best of knights. He was nephew to Arthur, the
son of his sister, and his cousin.

And Arthur called Menw the son of Teirgwaedd, in order that if they went
into a savage country, he might cast a charm and an illusion over them,
so that none might see them, whilst they could see every one.

They journeyed until they came to a vast open plain, wherein they saw a
great castle, which was the fairest of the castles of the world. And
they journeyed that day until the evening, and when they thought they
were nigh to the castle, they were no nearer to it than they had been in
the morning. And the second and the third day they journeyed, and even
then scarcely could they reach so far. And when they came before the
castle, they beheld a vast flock of sheep, which was boundless, and
without an end. And upon the top of a mound there was a herdsman,
keeping the sheep. And a rug made of skins was upon him; and by his side
was a shaggy mastiff, larger than a steed nine winters old. Never had he
lost even a lamb from his flock, much less a large sheep. He let no
occasion ever pass without doing some hurt and harm. All the dead trees
and bushes in the plain he burnt with his breath down to the very ground.

Then said Kai, "Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, go thou and salute yonder
man." "Kai," said he, "I engaged not to go further than thou thyself."
"Let us go then together," answered Kai. {81a} Said Menw the son of
Teirgwaedd, "Fear not to go thither, for I will cast a spell upon the
dog, so that he shall injure no one." And they went up to the mound
whereon the herdsman was, and they said to him, "How dost thou fare? O
herdsman!" "No less fair be it to you than to me." "Truly, art thou th