Trembling with fatigue he sat himself on a rock and broke a piece off his cake . ` Spare me a morsel , Ardan son of Gorla , ' asked a raven , fluttering down towards him . ` Seek food elsewhere , O bearer of ill-news , ' answered Ardan son of Gorla ; ` it is but little I have for myself . ' And he stretched himself out for a few moments , then rose to his feet again . On and on went he till the little birds flew to their nests , and the brightness died out of the sky , and a darkness fell over the earth . On and on , and on , till at last he saw a beam of light streaming from a house and hastened towards it . The door was opened and he entered , but paused when he beheld an old man lying on a bench by the fire , while seated opposite him was a maiden combing out the locks of her golden hair with a comb of silver . ` Welcome , fair youth , ' said the old man , turning his head . ` 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 XXXXX you . '
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