n the morning of the next day the King’s herd went out early, and he saw the field at the back of the castle filled with cows, and no two of them of the same colour, the same age, or the same height. He went in and told the King the wonderful news. “Go and drive them out,” says the King. The herd got men, and went with them driving out the cows, but no sooner would he put them out on one side than they would come in on the other. The herd went to the King again, and told him that all the men that were in Ireland would not be able to put out these cows that were in the field. “They’re enchanted cows,” said the King.
When the King’s son saw the cows, he said to himself, “I’ll have another game with the grey old man to-day!” That morning he went out—
His hound at his foot,
His hawk on his hand,
And his fine black horse to bear him—
and he never drew rein till he came as far as the big bush on the brink of the glen. The grey old man was there before him, and asked him would he have a game of cards.
“I will,” says the King’s son; “but you know well that I can beat you playing cards.”
“We’ll have another game, then,” says the grey old man. “Did you ever play ball?”
“I did, indeed,” said the King’s son; “but I think that you are too old to play ball, and, besides that, we have no place here to play it.”
“If you’re contented to play, I’ll find a place,” says the grey old man.
“I’m contented,” says the King’s son.