THE BOY WHO KNEW WHAT THE BIRDS SAID
go to fight the Giant to-morrow, and with the surprise he'll get at seeing us before him so soon we may be able to overcome him."
"And along with the surprise, there's another thing that will help you," said Feet-in-the-Ashes, "and that is myself. I have to fight the same Giant Shamble-shanks and I may as well fight him in company as alone."
"Your help will be welcome if you have not come here to win the Stone of Victory."
"Not for the Stone of Victory I have come, but to win back the three teeth that were knocked out of the King of Ireland's head and to avenge the insult that was offered to him."
"Then we'll be glad of your help, good comrade." The three youths got out of their beds and they sat with Feet-in-the-Ashes round the fire and the four spent a third of the night in pleasant story-telling, and slumber nor weariness did come near them at all.
"Cluck, cluck, cluck," said the Hen-grouse,
"Say no more," said the Cock-grouse, "for
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