do three tasks for me. If you are able to do them I will give you one of my
three daughters in marriage. If you fail to do any one of them you will lose
your head. Are you willing to make the trial?"

"I am willing," said the King of Ireland's Son.

"Then I shall give you your first task to-morrow. It is unlucky that you came
to-day. In this country we eat a meal only once a week, and we have had our
meal this morning."

"It is all the same to me," said the King's Son, "I can do without food or
drink for a month without any hardship."

"I suppose you can do without sleep too?" said the Enchanter of the Black
Back-Lands.

"Easily," said the King of Ireland's Son.

"That is good. Come outside now, and I'll show you your bed." He took the
King's Son outside and showed him a dry narrow water-tank at the gable end of
the house. "There is where you are to sleep" said the Enchanter. "Tuck
yourself into it now and be ready for your first task at the rising of the
sun."

The King of Ireland's Son went into the little tank. He was uncomfortable
there you may be sure. But in the middle of the night Fedelma came and brought
him into a fine room where he ate and then slept until the sun was about to
rise in the morning. She called him and he went outside and laid himself down
in the water-tank.