` Sit down and warm yourself , and tell me how fares the outer world . It is long since I have seen it . ' ` All my news is that I am seeking service , ' answered Ardan son of Gorla ; ' I have come from far since sunrise , and glad was I to see the rays of your lamp stream into the darkness . ' ' I need someone to herd my three dun cows , which are hornless , ' said the old man . ` If , for the space of a year , you can bring them back to me each evening before the sun sets , I will make you payment that will satisfy your soul . ' But here the girl looked up and answered quickly : ` Ill will come of it if he listens to your offer . ' ` Counsel unsought is worth nothing , ' replied , rudely , Ardan son of Gorla . ` It would be little indeed that I am fit for if I can not drive three cows out to pasture and keep them safe from the wolves that may come down from the mountains . Therefore , good father , I will take service with you at daybreak , and ask no payment till the new year dawns . ' Next morning the bell of the deer was not heard amongst the fern before the maiden with the hair of gold had milked the cows , and led them in front of the cottage where the old man and Ardan son of Gorla awaited them . ` Let them wander where they will , ' he said to his servant , ` and never seek to turn them from their way , for well they know the fields of good pasture . But take heed to follow always behind them , and suffer nothing that you see , and nought that you hear , to draw you into leaving them . Now go , and may wisdom go with you . ' As he ceased speaking he touched one of the cows on her forehead , and she stepped along the path , with the two others one on each side . As he had been bidden , behind them came Ardan son of Gorla , rejoicing in his heart that work so easy had fallen to his lot . At the year 's end , thought he , enough money would lie in his pocket to carry him into far countries where his sister might be , and , in the meanwhile , someone might come past who could give him tidings of her . Thus he spoke to himself , when his eyes fell on a golden cock and a silver hen running swiftly along the grass in front of him . In a moment the words that the old man had uttered vanished from his mind and he gave chase . They were so near that he could almost seize their tails , yet each time he felt sure he could catch them his fingers closed on the empty air . At length he could run no more , and stopped to breathe , while the cock and hen went on as before .
Then he remembered the cows , and , somewhat frightened , turned back XXXXX seek them .
along at behind for from if in into since to