CHAPTER XXXV: MAILDUN MEETS HIS ENEMY, AND ARRIVES HOME

ON a near approach, they found it was a small island; and now they recognised it as the very same island they had seen in the beginning of their voyage, in which they had heard the man in the great house boast that he had slain Maildun's father, and from which the storm had driven them out into the great ocean.
They turned the prow of their vessel to the shore, landed, and went towards the house. It happened that at this very time the people of the house were seated at their evening meal; and Maildun and his companions, as they stood outside, heard a part of their conversation.
Said one to another, "It would not be well for us if we were now to see Maildun."
"As to Maildun," answered another, "it is very well known that he was drowned long ago in the great ocean."
"Do not be sure," observed a third; "perchance he is the very man that may waken you up some morning from your sleep."
"Supposing he came now," asks another, "what should we do?"
The head of the house now spoke in reply to the last question; and Maildun at once knew his voice; "I can easily answer that," said he. "Maildun has been for a long time suffering great afflictions and hardships; and if he were to come now, though we were enemies once, I should certainly give him a welcome and a kind reception."
When Maildun heard this he knocked at the door, and the door-keeper asked who was there; to which Maildun made answer; "It is I, Maildun, returned safely from all my wanderings."
The chief of the house then ordered the door to be opened; and he went to meet Maildun, and brought himself and his companions into the house. They were joyfully welcomed by the whole household; new garments were given to them; and they feasted and rested, till they forgot their weariness and their hardships.
They related all the wonders God had revealed to them in the course of their voyage, according to the word of the sage who says, "It will be a source of pleasure to remember these things at a future time."
After they had remained here for some days, Maildun returned to his own country. And Diuran Dekerd took the five half-ounces of silver he had cut
down from the great net at the Silver Pillar, and laid it, according to his promise, on the high altar of Armagh.'