Then he turned to look for the cows , and found them all lying in the place where he had left them ; but when they saw Covan they rose up and walked homewards , taking a different path to that they had trod in the morning . This time they passed over a plain so bare that a pin could not have lain there unnoticed , yet Covan beheld with surprise a foal and its mother feeding there , both as fat as if they had pastured on the richest grass . Further on they crossed another plain , where the grass was thick and green , but on it were feeding a foal and its mother , so lean that you could have counted their ribs . And further again the path led them by the shores of a lake whereon were floating two boats ; one full of gay and happy youths , journeying to the land of the Sun , and another with grim shapes clothed in black , travelling to the land of Night . ` What can these things mean ? ' said Covan to himself , as he followed his cows . Darkness now fell , the wind howled , and torrents of rain poured upon them . Covan knew not how far they might yet have to go , or indeed if they were on the right road . He could not even see his cows , and his heart sank lest , after all , he should have failed to bring them safely back . What was he to do ? He waited thus , for he could go neither forwards nor backwards , till he felt a great friendly paw laid on his shoulder . ` My cave is just here , ' said the Dog of Maol-mor , of whom Covan son of Gorla had heard much . ` Spend the night here , and you shall be fed on the flesh of lamb , and shall lay aside three-thirds of thy weariness . ' And Covan entered , and supped , and slept , and in the morning rose up a new man . ` Farewell , Covan , ' said the Dog of Maol-mor . ` May success go with you , for you took what I had to give and did not mock me . So , when danger is your companion , wish for me , and I will not fail you . ' At these words the Dog of Maol-mor disappeared into the forest , and Covan went to seek his cows , which were standing in the hollow where the darkness had come upon them . At the sight of Covan the Brown-haired they walked onwards , Covan following ever behind them , and looking neither to the right nor to the left . All that day they walked , and when night fell they were in a barren plain , with only rocks for shelter .
` We must rest here as best we can , ' spoke Covan XXXXX the cows .
after as behind for if in of on to upon