Folk Tales of Breffny

other of a sack of fairy gold was buried in under the roots o

lf. "But I will be digging in that place and if I fi

his hand and set out for the lone bush. He was not a great while at work before the steel blade struck against a [48]substance that had no feel of clay, and the man was full sure

ght of treasure he had with him, and he went along planning out the uses of that wealth. Sure the burden wa

a display of that splendour before the neighbours all, and it was likely he would find some person within making their cailee. Sure enough when he went in on the door of the

treasure without-bars of fine gold are in it, and

ill rise my heart to be looking on the like; the hu

the land," says he. "Let you content yourself until the two men have departed, an

o the yard, and they fair wild with delight. Himself told the story of the t

it on it?"

not," s

wed he was after m

d that be

tell [50]of how those treasures do be enchanted, and power is on them for to

ng my shoulders with bruises and pains. Not the least sign of melting was on

and they seen the three cows were

lf. "The cattle of the world have good wisdom surely, and they

" says he. "Look at my lovel

head of the bails the woma

the roots of the lone bush? It has the movement of lif

says the husband, and he

bag is turning over on

words, but all the while he w

ng in," he allows, "and he is havin

ng aloud for protection on us-for it is no

it propped up against the bails. When he began for to open the bag the cows went

was groping for the treasure. The eyes of it were the colour of flame

s of dread held him down. Herself let a scream could be [52]heard in the

air. The man and woman were convenient to the door but the both were too scared to go out on it; they watched the eel and they seen it twist up round a bail until the head of it was touching the roof. Didn't it break away out through the thatch, and whether it mel