“I am more used to the sea now than to land, I am so long on it,” answered Cahal.
“If you were born on the water and had lived every day of your life on it, you could do nothing at sea against Striker. There is not a man living who can face him at sea.”
Nothing would satisfy Cahal but to go against Striker by sea; so he took the ship which the king gave and sailed away, sailed week after week till he was within a day’s journey of Striker’s castle. Striker thrust his head up through the top of the castle then, and let a blast out through his mouth that sent Cahal’s ship back twice the distance it had come.
King Conor’s son sailed forward again, and again Striker blew him back as far as he had the first time.
Cahal sailed now to the castle of the King of Hathony.
“I said that you could do nothing against Striker on sea. If you wish to get the upper hand of him I will tell you what to do. Take this bridle and shake it behind the castle; whatever beast comes to you take that one, and ride away against Striker.”
When Cahal shook the bridle, out came the smallest and ugliest beast in the stables, a lean, shaggy mare.
“Oh, then, bad luck to you for coming,” said the king’s son, “and so many fine steeds in the stables.”
“That is the pony my daughter used to ride, that is the best horse in the stables; take her. She is not easy to ride though, for she is full of tricks and enchantment, but if you are the right man she’ll not throw you. She goes on water as well as land, and you will be at your enemy’s castle to-day.”