The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-25
HERO TALES OF IRELAND
Az Good as the Arabian
Nights.
Collected 10 the Original Irish from the Lips
Of Irish Story Tellers.
Copyright. 1899. BY Jeremiah op.h.
THE NTY-sEcoyD TALE


relatives that ever she had in tho world there
Was but one left her only son. Sean. tSean. pro-
nounced Shawn-Johnl. nicknamed Fuarco-
sach tColdfeetL
The reason that people called tho boy Cold.
feet was this: When child he was growing
always; what OF him did not grow ono hour
grow another: what did not grow In tho day
grew In the night: what did not grow in the
night grew in the day; and no grew that fast
that when seven years old no could not find
room enough in his mothers house. When
night came and no was sleeping. whatever
corner OF the house his head was in. 1t was out
OF doors that his feet were. and. Of course
they were cold. especially In winter.
1t was not Iona till his legs as we'll as his
feet were out OF the house, first to the knees.
and thon to the body. When 10 years old it
was all that he could do to put his head In,
and he lived outdoors altogether. What tho
mother could gather in year would not sup
port the son for a day. ho was that large and
had such an appetite.
Coldfoet had to flnd his own food and he had
no means OF living but to bring homo sheep
and bullocks from whatever place he found
them.
Ho was going on In this way. farnc rather III
than vol. when ono day above another he
said:
Il think I must so into tho great world.
mother ] AM half starving In this place I
can do littlo good for myself as am. and no
good ut all for YOU"
lie rose early next morning. washed his face
and hands. asked assistance and protection OF
God. and II no did not may We. lie left good
health with his mother ut parting. and away
he won't. crossing high hills. passing low dalcs.
and kept on his way without halt or rest tho
clear day going and tho dark night coming.
taking lodgings zach evening wherever he
found them. till ut last he came 70 u high
roomy castle.
He conferred the cnstle withou. delaying out
side. and when ho went In the owner ASKED
was he servant in search OF II master.
:" | am in search Of II MASTER" said Coldfect.
He engaged to herd cows Tor small hi and
and his Keeping and the time OF his service
WAS n day aud year.
Next morning when Coldfrct was driving tho
cattle 10 pasture his mas;c OF was outside in tho
field before him and sad:
You must take good care nf yourself. for OF
all tho herders who tool: service with mo
never man bu. was killed hy ono or another
OF four giants WHO 1.-Two next 10 ny PASTURES"
BY my hand" said Ccdfcct. II did not
como here to be killed by Ito like of them.
They will not hurt me. never fear"
Collect went on with the cattle. and when
ho came to tho boundary Ito put them on tho
land Of the giants. Tho cows were not long
grain. when one Of the giants ut his castle
caught the oior Of the strange herlcr and
rushed out When coming at Il distance he
shouted:
Il smell tho Eloo:. OF man from Erin. his
liver and lights for my snprcr tonight. his
blood for my morning drain. his, iawbones for
stepping stones. his Sims for kurleys."
When tho giant came UP he cried: "Ah. that
"a vnn f,1I 4. or p,,Ir nSp't fhn
IN you to como hero from tho butt of Brandon
Mountain and put cn:tl. on my land to annoy
meT
1t isn't to give satisfaction to you that am
here. hut to knock satisfaction out OF your
bones" said Co!dteet.
With that tho giant faced the herder and the
two went Mt each other and fought till near
evening. They lroko old trees and bent young
ones: They made hard places soft md soft
places hard: they Eindo high places low and
low places high: they mRde spring wells dry
and brought water through hard. gray rocks
till near sunset. when Collect took the heads
otf the giant and put tho four skulls In muddy
Gnps to make dry. solid road for tho cows
Collect drove out his masters cattle on a
second. third. and fourth morning: each day
no killed n giant. each day tho battle was
flercer. but on the fourth evening the fourth
giant was dead.
On the fifth day Collect was not long on the
land Of tho dend giants when a dreadful en-
chanted old hag came out against him. and
she raging with anger. She had nails Of steel
on her fingers and toes. each mail OF them
weighing seven pounds
oh. you insolent. bloodthirsty villain"
screamed she. ito como all tho way from
Brandon Mountain to kill my young sons. and.
poor boys. only that timber is dear in this
hair Inct bof To a,,
instead OF beng murdered by YOU"
1T isn't to give satisfaction that I'm here,
you old witch. but to knock it out OF your wick
ed bones" said Collect.
Glad would be to tear you to pieces" said
the hag. but it's better to get some good Of
you first. Iput you under spells Of heavy en-.
chantment that YOU cannot escape. not to cat
two meals of the ono table nor to sleep two
nights In the one house till you go to the
Queen OF Lonesome Island apd bring the
sword OF light that never fails. the loaf OF
bread that Is never eaten. and the bottle OF
water that Is never drained"
Where Is Lonesome Island p asked Cold
feet.
Follow your nose and make out the place
with your own wit" sRid the hag
Collect drove the cows homo In the even.
Ing. and said to his master: Tho giants will
never harm you again: all their heads are In
the muddy gaps from this to the end OF tho
pasture, and there are COOL roads now for
your cattle. l have been with you only five
days. but another would not do my work In n
day and year: pay me my wages. You'll
never have trouble In finding men to mind
cattle"
Tho man paid Collect his wages. gave him
good suit OF clothes for the journey and his
blessing.
Away went Coldfeot now on the long road
and BY my word It was strange road to him.
He went across high hills and low dales. pass
ing each night where no found 1t. till tho oven
ing OF the third day. when no came to house
where little old man was living. Tho old
man had lived 10 that house without leaving
1t for seven hundred years. and had not seen q
living soul In that time.
Coldfeet gave good health to tho old man.
and received a hundred thousand welcomes in
return.
will you give me nights lodging?" asked
Collect.
Il will indeed" said the old man. land is 1t |
any harm to ask: Wherb are you going?"
"What harm in n Dlain uuestion2 nm