now to your own sleeping-place. To-morrow I'll come to you early and give you
your second task."

The King of Ireland's Son went back and into the dry water-tank. He was tired
with his day's journey after Whitefoot the Fawn. It was his hope that Fedelma
would come to him and give him shelter for that night.



IV


Until the white moon rose above the trees; until the hounds went out hunting
for themselves; until the foxes came down and hid in the hedges, waiting for
the cocks and hens to stir out at the first light--so long did the King of
Ireland's Son stay huddled in the dry water-tank.

By that time he was stiff and sore and hungry. He saw a great white owl flying
towards the tank. The owl perched on the edge and stared at the King's Son.
"Have you a message for me?" he asked. The owl shrugged with its wings three
times. He thought that meant a message. He got out of the tank and prepared to
follow the owl. It flew slowly and near the ground, so he was able to follow
it along a path through the wood.

The King's Son thought the owl was bringing him to a place where Fedelma was,
and that he would get food there, and shelter for the rest of the night. And
sure enough the owl flew to a little house in the wood. The King's Son looked
through the window and he saw a room lighted with candles and a table with
plates and dishes and cups, with bread and meat and wine. And he saw at the
fire a young woman spinning at a spinning wheel, and her back was towards him,