They rowed until eve, and ceased not for nightfall. About midnight they were nigh two small and barren islets, on which were two forts. Thence came through the night a noise, great and uproarious, of men drinking and boasting them of the spoils they had won. As they lay for awhile on their oars and listened, there was heard the voice of a hero. "Stand off from me, for I am a better man than thou. I it was slew Ailill Edgebattle and burned the church of Dubhcluain over his head, and his kin have never dared avenge it on me. Hast thou ever done the like of such a deed?"
Great was the joy and fierce the exultation of Maelduin and his companions. "Truly the victory is ours," said Diuran the rhymer, "and God has led us here, steering the bark Himself. Let us land and utterly destroy these forts."
But even as they spoke there arose a great wind and drove them out to sea, far beyond sight or ken of land, into the midst of the huge and endless ocean. "Cease rowing," said Maelduin, "and let the boat drift as it will. Whithersoever it shall please God, there let us be brought." Then turning to his foster-brothers, "You it is who have caused this trouble by joining yourselves to us in spite of the wizard's word that seventeen, neither more nor less, was to be our number. Of a surety more evil will come of this."
They made no answer save to be silent awhile.
For three days and three nights they tossed upon the
