another man catch it, and his companions cut off his hand, and they
escaped at last.

On one island the seafarers found three magic apples, and each apple gave
sufficient food for forty nights; again, on another island, they found the
same apples. In another place still, a great bird like a cloud arrived,
with a tree larger than an oak in its claws. After a while two eagles came
and cleaned the feathers of the larger bird. They also stripped off the
red berries from the tree and threw them into the ocean until its foam
grew red. The great bird then flew into the ocean and cleaned itself. This
happened daily for three days, when the great bird flew away with stronger
wings, its youth being thus renewed.

They came to another island where many people stood by the shore talking
and joking. They were all looking at Maelduin and his comrades, and kept
gaping and laughing, but would not exchange a word with them. Then
Maelduin sent one of his foster brothers on the island; but he ranged
himself with the others and did as they did. Maelduin and his men rowed
round and round the island, and whenever they passed the point where this
comrade was, they addressed him, but he never answered, and only gaped and
laughed. They waited for him a long time and left him. This island they
found to be called The Island of Joy.

On another island they found sheep grazing, of enormous size; on another,
birds, whose eggs when eaten caused feathers to sprout all over the bodies
of those who eat them. On another they found crimson flowers, whose mere
perfume sufficed for food, and they encountered women whose only food was
apples. Through the window flew three birds: a blue one with a crimson
head; a crimson one with a green head; a green one with a golden head.
These sang heavenly music, and were sent to accompany the wanderers on