they had met with on the other islands. Then said his comrade, Diuran the rhymer, "I will accompany thee this time, and when the lot falls to me, thou shalt be my comrade." So they set forth together. Long was the island, and wide, and in the midst an immense open green. Upon this green were to be seen many hoof-prints of horses, and these were very large, every hoof-print as big as a ship's sail. Moreover, lying on the ground were nuts as big as headpieces, and remains of all kinds, vast and monstrous in size, as though giants had gone a-plundering and left their scattered spoil. So German and Diuran were much afraid, and, calling to their comrades in the boat to behold these things, they hastily returned, and sail was set that they might flee swiftly if need be.
Hardly had they stood a little way off the land when they beheld the rush of a mighty multitude along the beach and on to the open green, and the racing of horses against each other. Swifter than the wind was each horse, clamorous and deafening were the outcry and the din of the multitude. Maelduin and his men lay on their oars wondering, and they heard clearly the swish of the whips, and the thud of the horses' hoofs, and the eager shouting of the assembled throng, "Hither the gray steed." "Drive the dun horse there!" "Come on with the white horse!" "Mine is the fastest steed!" "My horse is the best jumper!" So the wanderers tarried no longer, but set sail hastily, for they felt sure it was a gathering of demons they beheld.
