A LOVELY COUNTRY BENEATH THE WAVES.
After leaving this they entered on another sea, which seemed like a
clear, thin cloud; and it was so transparent, and appeared so light,
that they thought at first it would not bear up the weight of the
curragh.
Looking down, they could see, beneath the clear water, a beautiful
country, with many mansions surrounded by groves and woods. In one place
was a single tree; and, standing on its branches, they saw an animal
fierce and terrible to look upon.
Round about the tree was a great herd of oxen grazing, and a man stood
near to guard them, armed with shield and spear and sword; but when he
looked up and saw the animal on the tree, he turned anon and fled with
the utmost speed. Then the monster stretched forth his neck, and,
darting his head downward, plunged his fangs into the back of the
largest ox of the whole herd, lifted him off the ground into the tree,
and swallowed him down in the twinkling of an eye; whereupon the whole
herd took to flight.
When Maildun and his people saw this, they were seized with great
terror; for they feared they should not be able to cross the sea over
the monster, on account of the extreme mist-like thinness of the water;
but after much difficulty and danger they got across it safely.