On his way there met him a man in a red tunic . ` Is it you , Manus , come back again ? ' asked he . ` It is I , ' answered Manus ; ` alone have I returned from the land of Lochlann . ' The man eyed him silently for a moment , and then he said : ' I dreamed that you were girt with a sword and became king of Lochlann . ' But Manus answered : ' I have no sword and my bow is broken . ' ' I will give you a new sword if you will make me a promise , ' said the man once more . ` To be sure I will make it , if ever I am king , ' answered Manus . ` But speak , and tell me what promise I am to make . ' ' I was your grandfather 's armourer , ' replied the man , ` and I wish to be your armourer also . ' ` That I will promise readily , ' said Manus ; and followed the man into his house , which was at a little distance . But the house was not like other houses , for the walls of every room were hung so thick with arms that you could not see the boards . ` Choose what you will , ' said the man ; and Manus unhooked a sword and tried it across his knee , and it broke , and so did the next , and the next . ` Leave off breaking the swords , ' cried the man , ` and look at this old sword and helmet and tunic that I wore in the wars of your grandfather . Perhaps you may find them of stouter steel . ' 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 XXXXX your hand in token of submission .
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