Dyeermud went in the ship, and they sailed on till they came to Conlun, a mile above Killybegs. There they saw twelve men cutting sods, and a thirteenth eating every sod that they cut.
“You must be a strange man to eat what sods twelve others can cut for you,” said Dyeermud; “what is your name?”
“Sod-eater.”
“We are going,” said the red man, “to the castle of a king in South Erin. Will you come with us?”
“What wages will you give me?”
“Five gold-pieces,” said the red man.
“I will go with you.”
The three sailed on till they came to the river Kinvara, one mile below Killybegs, and saw a man with one foot on each bank, with his back toward the sea and his face to the current. The man did not let one drop of water in the river pass him, but drank every drop of it.
“Oh,” said the red man, “what a thirst there is on you to drink a whole river! How are you so thirsty?”