said the Dog . And Covan answered : ` The old man bade me bring her , and the duck with the golden neck , and the salmon with the silver sides , to his cottage ; if I shall catch them , I know not . But carry you the roe to the back of the cottage , and tether her so that she can not escape . ' ` It shall be done , ' said the Dog of Maol-mor . Then Covan sped to the lake which led to the land of the Sun , where the duck with the green body and the golden neck was swimming among the water-lilies . ` Surely I can catch him , good swimmer as I am , ' to himself . But , if he could swim well , the duck could swim better , and at length his strength failed him , and he was forced to seek the land . ` Oh that the black raven were here to help me ! ' he thought to himself . And in a moment the black raven was perched on his shoulder . ` How can I help you ? ' asked the raven . And Covan answered : ` Catch me the green duck that floats on the water . ' And the raven flew with his strong wings and picked him up in his strong beak , and in another moment the bird was laid at the feet of Covan . This time it was easy for the young man to carry his prize , and after giving thanks to the raven for his aid , he went on to the river . In the deep dark pool of which the old man had spoken the silver-sided salmon was lying under a rock . ` Surely I , good fisher as I am , can catch him , ' said Covan son of Gorla . And cutting a slender pole from a bush , he fastened a line to the end of it . But cast with what skill he might , it availed nothing , for the salmon would not even look at the bait . ' I am beaten at last , unless the Doran-donn can deliver me , ' he cried .
And as he spoke there was a swish XXXXX the water , and the face of the Doran-donn looked up at him . '
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