The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-14
HERO TALES OF IRELAND
As Good as the Arabian
Nights.
Collected In the Original Irish frcm the Lips
q Irish Story TeIIers.
BY JEREMIAH CURTIN.
Copyright 1899, Nv Jsrerniah CtpfiH.
PART ~.
Lin Cow. tho swordsmi'h from Erin, and
tho Cow elias tinInach.

lin Cow. tho sword-mith from Erin, and
tho Cow elias GnInach.
Once King Under the Wave wont on visit
to tho King Of Spain. for the two were great
friends. Tho King OF Spain was complaining.
and very sorry that he had not butter enough.
He had great herd OF cows. but for oil that he
had not what butter no wanted. He said that
he'd BIO the richest man in the world II he had
butter in plenty for himself and his people.
DO not trouble your mind" said King Undcr
the Wave. II will give you elias Gainach.
cow that is better than thousand COWS. and
her milk is nearly all butter
The King OF Spain thanked his guest for the
promise and was very glad. King Under the
Wave kept his word. sent the COW. and with
her q messenger with instructions how to care
for her. and said that II she was nngered In
any way she would not stay out at pasture. SO
the King took great care OF hor. nnd the report
went through all nations that tho King OF
Spain had tho COW called Gas Gainach.
The King OF Spain had an only daughter.
aud he was to give the COW with tho daughter;
and the COW was great fortune. the best
dover in the world at that time The King
said that the man who would do what he nut
on him would got the daughter and the COW.
Cham pions came then from every part OF
the world. each man to try his fortune. In a
short time hundreds and thousands OF men
lost their heads in combat. The King agreed
then that any man who would serve seven
years. and bring the cow safe and sound every
day Of that time to the casile. would have her.
In minding the COW the man had to follow
her always. ncvcr go before her. or stop her
Or hold her. II he did she would run homo to
the castle. The man must stop with her
when she wantod t. get bite or drink. She
never travelled less thnn sixty miles q day.
eating n good bite here aud a good lite there.
and going hither and over.
The King Of Spain never told mon how to
mind the COW: he wanted them to lose their
heads. for then he got their work without wages.
Ono man would mind her for day: another
would follow her to the castle for two days: a
third night SO with her for a week. and some
times man could not come homo with her
the FIRST day. The man should be loose and
swift to keep up with Glas Gainach. The day
she walked least she walked sixty miles: some
days she walked much more.
1t was known IA Erin that there was such a
COW. and there was smith in Cluainte above
here. three miles north OF Fintra. and his name
was Elm Cow. He WAS the best man in Erin
to mako a sword or any weapon OF combat.
From all parts OF Erin and from other lands
also. young princes who were going to seek
their fortunes. came to him to have him make
swords for Thorn. Now what should happen
but this 1t came to him in q dream three
nights in succession that he was TO go for Gias
Gainach. the wonderful COW. At last he said:
81 will go and knock a trial out OF her: will
60 toward her."
He went to Tramor. where there were some
vessels. 1t was to the King Of Munster that
he went and asked would he lend him ves
sel Elm Cow had made many swords for tho
King. The King said that he would lend the
vessel with Willingness. and that II he could
do more for him. he would do It Elm Cow got
the vessel and put stores In 1t for day and O
year He turned its prov then to sea and its
stern to land. and was ploughIng tho main
ocean till he steered into the kingdom NJ Spain
as we'll as II he had had three pilots and there
was no one but himself in it. He let the wind
guide the ship and she came into the very har
Dor OF the province where the Kings castl g was
When Elm Cow came in. he cast two anchors
ut the ocean side and one at the shore side. and
settled the ship in such way that there was
not q wave to strike her nor n wind to rock
her nor a crow to drop on her. and he left her
80 that nothing would disturb her. and fine.
smooth strand before her; he lett her fixed for
day and year. though he might not be abb
sent an hour.
He left the vessel about midday and went his
way walking. not knowing where WAS he or in
what Kingdom He met no man or beast In
the place. Late In the evening he saw on q
broad. green field at q distance a beautiful cas-
tie. the grandest he had ever set eyes on.
When he drew near the castle the first house
hefound was cottage at the wayside. and whom
he was passing the cottage who should sec
him but a very old man inside. The old man
rose I'D. and putting his two hands on the lambs
OF the door. reached out his head and hailed
him. Elm Cow turned on his heel: then the
old man beckoned to him to enter.
There were four men in front of tho castle.
champ ions OF valor. practising feats OF arms.
Flashes OF light came from their swords. These
men were 80 trained that they would not let
sword stroke touch any part OF their bodies.
"Come in" said the old man: may be you
would like to have dinner. You havo eaten
nothing on the way"
THAT WAS a mistake Of my own" said Elm
Cow. for In my ship are provisions OF all
Binds in plenty"
Never mini" said tho old man. you will!
not need them in this place." and going t. u
chest he took out cloth which he spread on a
table. and that moment there came on it food
for King or a champion. Elm Cow had never
seen a better dinner in Erin.
"What is your name and from what place do
you Gomez asked the old man of his guest
From Erin" said he. land my name Is
Elm Cow. And what country is this. and what
castle is that out before usY
Have you ever heard talk OF me Kingdom
Of SPAIN asked the old man.
Il have, and it's to find it that | left home"
well. this IL the kingdom Of spain. aud
that building beyond IL the castle OF tho kin.."
And Is it here that Gas Ga,nach Isl"
ut is" said tho old man. And Is 1t for her
that you left Erin ?"
1T Ia thon." said Film Cow.
81 pity YOU" said the old nlan: lit would be
litter for you to stop ut kum" and mind some
thing else than to come hithor for That cow.
tits not hundrcds hut thousands o! men that
have lost their heads foc her. and l am in
dread that you'll inset the same luck"
"Wsl will try my fortune" said Elm
Cow. ""Tis through dreams that came"
IL pity YOU" said tho old man. and moro.
over because you are from Erin. l am half OF
your country. for ms mother was from Erin.
Do you know now how this cow will DO gotf'
81 do not" said Elm Cow: II know nothing
In tho world ahoutt,"
You will not be long" said the old man,