And Manus bent the sword thrice across his knee but he could not break it . So he girded it to his side , and put on the old helmet . As he fastened the strap his eye fell on a cloth flapping outside the window . ` What cloth is that ? ' asked he . ` It is a cloth that was woven by the Little People of the forest , ' said the man ; ` and when you are hungry it will give you food and drink , and if you meet a foe , he will not hurt you , but will stoop and kiss the back of your hand in token of submission . Take it , and use it well . ' Manus gladly wrapped the shawl round his arm , and was leaving the house , when he heard the rattling of a chain blown by the wind . ` What chain is that ? ' asked he . ` The creature who has that chain round his neck , need not fear a hundred enemies , ' answered the armourer . And Manus wound it round him and passed on into the forest . Suddenly there sprang out from the bushes two lions , and a lion cub with them . The fierce beasts bounded towards him , roaring loudly , and would fain have eaten him , but quickly Manus stooped and spread the cloth upon the ground . At that the lions stopped , and bowing their great heads , kissed the back of his wrist and went their ways . But the cub rolled itself up in the cloth ; so Manus picked them both up , and carried them with him to Old Bergen . Another year went by , and then he took the lion cub and set forth to the land of Lochlann . And the wife of Iarlaid came to meet him , and a brown dog , small but full of courage , came with her . When the dog beheld the lion cub he rushed towards him , thinking to eat him ; but the cub caught the dog by the neck , and shook him , and he was dead . And the wife of Iarlaid mourned him sore , and her wrath was kindled , and many times she tried to slay Manus and his cub , but she could not .
And at last they two went back to Old XXXXX , and the twelve foster brothers went also .
Bergen Iarlaid Lochlann Manus armourer chain cub ground lion year