‘Well,’ said the fox, ‘if thou wilt take me to be thy servant, thou shalt get thy set of shoes and stockings.’
‘O poor beast!’ said he, ‘thou wouldst find death with me from hunger.’
‘Ho! hoth!’ said the fox, ‘there is little good in the servant that will not do for his own self and for his master at times.’
‘Yes, yes,’ said he, ‘I don’t mind; at all events thou mayst follow me.’
They had not gone far on their journey when the fox asked him if he was good at riding. He said he was, if it could be known what on.
‘Come on top of me a turn of a while,’ said the fox.
‘On top of thee! Poor beast, I would break thy back.’
‘Ho! huth! son of the king of Greece,’ said the fox, ‘thou didst not know me so well as I know thee. Take no care but that I am able to carry thee.’ [[284]]
But never mind. When Brian went on top of the fox, they would drive spray from each puddle, spark from each pebble. And they took no halt nor rest till they reached the house of the Giant of Five Heads, Five Humps, and Five Throttles.
‘Here’s for thee,’ said the fox, ‘the house of the giant who has the marvellous bird. And what wilt thou say to him when thou goest in?’