He went therefore boldly forward into the unknown land, hoping to obtain some help, if any friendly and hospitable folk could there be found.
[Illustration: "Dermot took the horn and would have filled it"] Before he had gone far he came into a wild wood, thick and tangled, and full of the noise of streams, and the sough of winds, and twittering of birds, and hum of bees.

After he had traversed this wilderness for a while he came to a mighty tree with densely interwoven branches, and beneath it a pile of rocks, having on its summit a pointed drinking horn wreathed with rich ornament, and at its foot a well of pure bright water.

Dermot, being now thirsty, took the horn and would have filled it at the well, but as he stooped down to do so he heard a loud, threatening murmur which seemed to rise from it.

"I perceive," he said to himself, "that I am forbidden to drink from this well" Nevertheless thirst compelled him, and he drank his fill.
In no long time thereafter he saw an armed warrior of hostile aspect coming towards him through the wood.

No courteous greeting did he give to Dermot, but began to revile him for roaming in his wood and wilderness, and for drinking his water.