That nigh-impossible task, indeed, had been made possible by the magic boat of Manannan, called the Sweeper of the Waves, which they had won from Lu by unlooked-for wile. For before they had left Tara they had played a game of chess with Lu Ildanna, well knowing that Lu was under _geas_ never to refuse to play at chess when asked by any Dedannan, or to pay the hazard that was decided upon, whatsoever it might be. There was no player in all Erin to surpass Ur, though few knew this, for he was little given to talk, and still less of his own doings. First Urba had offered to play with Lu, and the hazard of that play was to be the life of Lu Ildanna. “I will play that hazard,” he said, “if thou wilt pay the like penalty if thou dost lose.” But when Urba refused, he could play no more, because he had declined the counter-hazard. Then Brian had offered to play, and the hazard of that play was to be Daurya, the beautiful daughter of a great lord, whom Lu loved. “I will play that hazard,” he said, “if, in return, thou wilt pledge me Enya of the Dark Eyes, thy sister.” But when Brian refused this hazard, he too could play no more with Lu until Lu asked him. Then Ur played, and the hazard of that play was the “Sweeper of the Waves,” Manannan’s magic boat. “I will play that hazard,” Lu said, “if in return thou wilt sail in it, and affront Manannan to his face.” To that Ur agreed, and they played, and Ur won. This magic boat would sail swiftly and safely in any sea whether calm or tempest-wrought, and at a word would make for any coast or haven; more like a great bird it was, or some creature of the air and sea. “White shall be thy foamy track,” cried Lu as they sailed away; “but red everywhere shall be the wake behind ye.” And so it was. For death and the bitterness of the sword were ever in their way and in their wake. Nevertheless, they unceasingly rejoiced in their possession of the Sweeper of the Waves, and when their eric-quest took them into far eastern lands beyond the reach of great rivers, they hid their precious vessel, or bade it lie till it heard their summoning voice. And so at the last it happened that the sons of Turenn won the three golden apples out of the guarded close in Isberna; and by craft and daring carried away from Sicily the famous chariot and two steeds which had no peer in all the world; and from Asol of the Golden Pillars, who gave them in ransom for his life, they took the seven deathless swine; and from its cauldron in the heart of a hostile city they snatched the terrible spear of Pisarr; and the far-famed skin of healing they brought away from the palace of Toosh, king of Greece, whose head they left idly rolling upon his marble floor; and in far Irrua they put captivity upon the terrible hound Falinnish; and in the wild seas of Fiancarya they dared the sea-women in their caverns under the waves, and took from them the roasting spit that Lu had demanded.