“Not very soundly. What do you want?”
“The sword of light and the story of Balor Beimenach.”
“Wait, and you will get them!”
Art put spurs to his horse, and shot away. Balor Beimenach was after him in a flash. Art’s horse was the worst in the stables of King Under the Wave, though better than the best horse in another kingdom. Still Balor was gaining on him, and when he came near the castle, he had not time to reach the gate. He spurred over the wall; but if he did, Balor cut his horse in two behind the saddle, and Art fell in over the wall with the front half.
Balor was raging; he went to his castle, but slept not a wink,—walked his chamber till morning to know would Art come again.
Next evening, Art rode to the window on a better horse, and called out, “Balor Beimenach, are you asleep?” and raced away. Balor followed, and followed faster. Art could not reach the gate before him, so he spurred his horse over the wall. Balor cut this one in two just at the saddle. Art tumbled down from the wall with his life.
This enraged Balor more than the first escape; he slept not a wink that night, but was walking around the whole castle and cursing till morning.
King Under the Wave gave Art the best horse in his stable, for the third night, and said, “This is your last chance with horses. I hope you will escape; but I’m greatly in dread that Balor will catch you. Now put this horse to full speed before you shout, and you will have some chance if your horse runs with what speed there is in him.”