I want nothing for myself , ' answered Covan the Brown-haired ; ` but I ask you to give me back my brothers and my sister who have been lost to us for three years past . You are wise and know the lore of fairies and of witches ; tell me where I can find them , and what I must do to bring them to life again . ' The old man looked grave at the words of Covan . ` Yes , truly I know where they are , ' answered he , ` and I say not that they may not be brought to life again . But the perils are great -- too great for you to overcome . ' ` Tell me what they are , ' said Covan again , ` and I shall know better if I may overcome them . ' ` Listen , then , and judge . In the mountain yonder there dwells a roe , white of foot , with horns that branch like the antlers of a deer . On the lake that leads to the land of the Sun floats a duck whose body is green and whose neck is of gold . In the pool of Corri-Bui swims a salmon with a skin that shines like silver , and whose gills are red -- bring them all to me , and then you shall know where dwell your brothers and your sister ! ' ` To-morrow at cock-crow I will begone ! ' answered Covan . The way to the mountain lay straight before him , and when he had climbed high he caught sight of the roe with the white feet and the spotted sides , on the peak in front . Full of hope he set out in pursuit of her , but by the time he had reached that peak she had left it and was to be seen on another . And so it always happened , and Covan 's courage had well-nigh failed him , when the thought of the Dog of Maol-mor darted into his mind . ` Oh , that he was here ! ' he cried . And looking up he saw him . ` Why did you summon me ? ' asked the Dog of Maol-mor .
And when XXXXX had told him of his trouble , and how the roe always led him further and further , the Dog only answered : ` Fear nothing ; I will soon catch her for you . '
Brown-haired Corri-Bui Covan Maol-mor Sun antlers cock-crow gills left years