“In there lives the Red Giant,” he said. “At this hour he has had his meal and is sleeping beside the table in the center of the castle.”
Then the chief went on to explain that the giant had but one eye, which faced the main door to see if anyone entered. He took from his pocket a little cake and passed it to Dermot.
“Take this cake,” he said. “Do not go in at the main door but follow the corridor around and come to the small opening at the other side of the room. Throw this cake to the dog, and when he has eaten it pick him up and bring him with you. If you are quiet the giant will never know you have been in there.”
Dermot thanked his helper and went into the castle. Everything happened just as the small chief had promised. The task was so easy that he was back in five minutes with the hound under his arm. The two set off for the palace with their prize.
But Dermot was not happy. He kept going slowly and more slowly, until finally he stopped all together.
“What is the matter?” asked the chief.
“I can’t help thinking of the dirty trick I played on the Red Giant,” answered Dermot.
“How is that?”
“Like a thief I took away his hound without giving him a chance to fight for it,” said Dermot.
“It was the hound you went for, not a contest, and bringing him back will give you sight of Finn MacCool,” argued the chief. “Let us hurry.”