Now having come safely and victoriously through so many straits and perils, they began to be merry and hoped that all the eric might yet be paid.  So they sailed away with high hearts to the Island of Sicily, to get the two horses and the chariot of the King, and the Boat of Mananan bore them swiftly and well.

Having arrived here, they debated among themselves as to how they should proceed; and they agreed to present themselves as Irish mercenary soldiers—­for such were wont in those days to take service with foreign kings—­until they should learn where the horses and the chariot were kept, and how they should come at them.  Then they went forward, and found the King and his lords in the palace garden taking the air.

The Sons of Turenn then paid homage to him, and he asked them of their business.

“We are Irish mercenary soldiers,” they said, “seeking our wages from the kings of the world.”  “Are ye willing to take service with me?” said the King.  “We are,” said they, “and to that end are we come.”

Then their contract of military service was made, and they remained at the King’s court for a month and a fortnight, and did not in all that time come to see the steeds or the chariot.  At last Brian said,

“Things are going ill with us, my brethren, in that we know no more at this day of the steeds or of the chariot than when we first arrived at this place.”

“What shall we do, then?” said they.

“Let us do this,” said Brian.  “Let us gird on our arms and all our marching array, and tell the King that we shall quit his service unless he show us the chariot.”

And so they did; and the King said, “To-morrow shall be a gathering and parade of all my host, and the chariot shall be there, and ye shall see it if ye have a mind.”

So the next day the steeds were yoked and the chariot was driven round a great plain before the King and his lords.  Now these steeds could run as well on sea as on dry land, and they were swifter than the winds of March.  As the chariot came round the second time, Brian and his brothers seized the horses’ heads, and Brian took the charioteer by the foot and flung him out over the rail, and they all leaped into the chariot and drove away.  Such was the swiftness of their driving that they were out of sight ere the King and his men knew rightly what had befallen.  And thus ended the fourth quest of the Sons of Turenn.

Next they betook themselves to the court of Asal, King of the Golden Pillars, to get the seven swine which might be eaten every night and they would be whole and well on the morrow morn.

But it had now been noised about every country that three young heroes from Erinn were plundering the kings of the world of their treasures in payment of a mighty eric; and when they arrived at the Land of the Golden Pillars they found the harbour guarded and a strait watch kept, that no one who might resemble the Sons of Turenn should enter.