Dermot sped after her. Now, as you know, there was no one in Erin who could equal him in a race. He rapidly caught up with the deer and seized her by the hind leg, just as she reached the mouth of the cave. Instantly the deer disappeared, and in her place was a hideous old witch, with straggly gray hair and long crooked teeth. Dermot was so startled that he let go his hold. The witch ran screaming into the cave.
The men followed and came out at the gate of the castle just as the knight had done years before. When they knocked for admission, they were met by the master, who seemed greatly surprised to see the Sorrowful Knight.
“I thought you had enough of this place when you were here before,” he said.
Dermot did the answering. “He comes with me,” he said. “I could not have enough of your castle, because this is the first time I have ever been here.”
The master invited them into the room where waited the twelve kettles of water and the twelve boars.
“Have you a man among you who can prepare the supper?” asked the master.
“We have,” said Dermot. “And it is a long time since you had one as good. We have also a man who will get the meat.”
Dermot went out into the forest and brought in enough meat for the meal. He knew better than to try to prepare the enchanted boars. The ones he had killed, he dressed with his sword and soon had them cooked. The master made no comments, but ate with the others.
When the meal was over the lord of the castle addressed the knight.
“Have you a man among you who can show us a little action for our amusement?”