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diff --git a/old/50490-0.txt b/old/50490-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 89a2219..0000000 --- a/old/50490-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4593 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Legendary Heroes of Ireland, by Harold F. Hughes - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Legendary Heroes of Ireland - -Author: Harold F. Hughes - -Release Date: November 19, 2015 [EBook #50490] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEGENDARY HEROES OF IRELAND *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Lisa Anne Hatfield and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - -Italic text enclosed with _underscores_. - -Small-capitals replaced by ALL CAPITALS. - -More notes appear at the end of the file. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -[Illustration: decoration] - - - Legendary Heroes - _of_ - Ireland - - - - - By - - HAROLD F. HUGHES - - - - -[Illustration: shield and arms logo] - - - - - 1922 - HARR WAGNER PUBLISHING CO. - - San Francisco, Cal. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Copyright - 1922 - Harold F. Hughes - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - DEDICATION - - TO MY FATHER - - WHOSE TALES OF THE IRISH HEROES - FIRST OPENED TO ME THE - WONDERLAND OF - CELTIC FOLKLORE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TEACHER’S PREFACE - - -These stories are offered in the hope that they may help promote the -love of reading in our boys and girls. After all, our duty in teaching -reading is not in the subject matter but in the desire. If we show to -the child that the art of reading is the golden key which will unlock -the storehouse of life enjoyment, and give him the love for the secrets -of the printed page, we may consider that our educational effort has -been well spent. So the primary object in writing these stories has not -been to chronicle history but to give the child something interesting -and entertaining. - -The early Celts have little literature other than these stories, which -have been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. -Most of the tales in this book have been taken from the Ossianic Saga. -Whether Finn belongs to history or mythology detracts no jot from the -absorbing interest of his exploits. - -I have tried to make the story of Finn something of a connected -narrative. To do this I have taken incidents from various versions; I -have left out much unsuitable to children, and I have changed some -incidents to conform to the modern standards of morals. The chronology -of arrangement is my own, but I have tried to preserve the spirit of the -originals. - -No collection of Irish folk stories could be brought out were it not for -the work of those many scholars who have spent years in collecting and -translating the tales of the Celtic race. To our American linguist, -Jeremiah Curtin, and to the Irish scholars: Sir Douglas Hyde, Dr. Joyce, -Eleanor Hull, Lady Gregory, T. W. Rolleston and others, my thanks are -due. Their splendid research work has made possible such a volume as -this. - - HAROLD F. HUGHES. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TABLE OF CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - 1. Mythology of Ireland 9 - - 2. The Fenians 15 - - 3. The Birth of Finn 18 - - 4. Boyhood of Finn 23 - - 5. Finn Claims His 28 - Inheritance - - 6. Finn and the Scottish 36 - Giant - - 7. The Story of Saba 47 - - 8. Conan the Bald 53 - - 9. Dermot of the Love Spot 58 - - 10. Dermot Rescues Finn 64 - - 11. The Worthless Servant 101 - - 12. Dermot and Grainne 126 - - 13. The Battle of Ventry 134 - Strand - - 14. The Death of Dermot 148 - - 15. The Battle of Gowra 155 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration: - That evening Cool climbed to the window - From Birth of Finn] - - MYTHOLOGY OF IRELAND - - -Every race of people has its myths and hero tales. With those of the -Greeks most of us are familiar. We have heard of Hercules, Perseus, -Atlas and others, ever since we started to school. The early stories of -a race are always entertaining as well as instructive. For that reason -our school libraries contain the folk stories of the Japanese, the -Norsemen, the Russians, the English, the American Indian, the negro and -many others. The one people, of whose stories Americans know little, is -the Celtic race, the forefathers of the Scotch and Irish of today, and -the ancestors of many of us. This book is intended to make you -acquainted with the ancient heroes of the Celts. - -Just as King Arthur is the early hero of the Anglo-Saxon people, so is -Finn MacCool the renowned hero of the Celts. Like King Arthur he had -gathered together a body of heroes, all of whom performed deeds of -valor. In Scotland we find stories of this same hero, only the Scotch -people call him Fingal. - -Most of the stories which follow are tales of the adventures of Finn and -his friend, Dermot. These tales are about events which are supposed to -have taken place nearly two thousand years ago. - -No doubt you wonder how we know anything about people who lived so long -ago. The very name, folk stories, explains it. Folk stories are told by -the folk, or people, of the country. Sometimes we find the tales written -in an ancient book, but most of them come down through the centuries by -one person telling the story to another. - -You know that when you hear a good story, you like to tell it to little -brother or sister or some playmate. That is just the way the folk -stories come to us. In some countries there were bards or poets who went -around and sang of the old heroes. We often read of these men in Scotch -history. The most common way of preserving the stories, however, was by -the father and mother telling their children of the ancient heroes. -These children grew up and repeated the tales to their own families, and -so the story was preserved through the ages. - -There is an old Irish legend that explains this method very nicely. - -Finn had a son named Ossian, of whom you will read a great deal as we go -on. This son was a poet and sang the deeds of his father in verse. The -story runs that before the great battle of Gowra, Ossian had fallen in -love with a fairy and had gone to Fairyland to live. He lived in this -land of youth for four hundred years, growing no older. At the end of -that time he wanted to go back to earth and see if he could see any of -his old friends. Time went so quickly in Fairyland that he did not -realize how long he had been away. - -His fairy wife gave him a horse to ride and warned him that he must not -touch a foot to the ground. Then Ossian rode away. - -He came to Erin and rode through the scenes of his adventures. He was -surprised not to find any of his old friends. Not only that, he found -that the men were very much smaller than those of his time. He saw six -of them trying to roll a stone which his father could have moved with -one hand. He grew so sorry for them that he forgot all about his wife’s -orders. He got off his horse to move the stone. The instant he touched -the ground he became a wrinkled and bent old man. - -Then, the story tells us, the people took him to St. Patrick, and he -told this Irish saint the stories of Finn and his companions. - -It is a very pretty story to explain how these legends became known. Of -course, it is not true, but it shows the imagination of the Irish -people. They believe in fairies and witches and the powers of -enchantment. You will find that this belief enters into all the stories. -That is another thing about folk tales. Each person who tells them adds -something to them. - -No doubt you have been to parties where a game something like this was -played: The players form a long row. Then the one on the end whispers -something to his neighbor, this person whispers what he heard to the -next player, and so on. The last player tells what has been told him. It -is nearly always something entirely different from the story which -started. - -Folk stories grow in just that manner. The different provinces of -Ireland have different versions of the stories. In some parts of the -country Finn is the hero, and Dermot proves untrue to him. In another -province, Dermot is the splendid man and Finn is a cruel tyrant. The -stories which follow in this book are combined from those of all the -provinces. This book is not a history. It is a collection of interesting -stories about heroes who, possibly, never existed. - - - II. - -You should know something of how stories of this kind are gathered -together. Many were taken down by the priests of early times, but none -were ever written until nearly a thousand years ago. Undoubtedly large -numbers of them have been lost by the death of the only person who knew -them. - -It is only in the last few years that the Irish scholars have tried to -gather these tales together. There are many of these collectors of Irish -hero stories. Most of them, of course, are Irish, but America has -furnished one man who long will be remembered because of his work along -this line. - -Jeremiah Curtin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1840. He died in -1906. Into those sixty-six years he crowded the work of several ordinary -men. He had a great love for the languages and history. When he -graduated from Harvard, he was so well acquainted with Russian that he -went to St. Petersburg, now Petrograd, as Secretary of the American -Legation. While there he became interested in Russian literature and the -folk stories of the people. He translated many Russian books into -English and also collected a volume of their folk tales. - -Many men would have been satisfied with this. Mr. Curtin was not. He -became connected with the Smithsonian Institute and while there studied -the folk tales of the various Indian tribes. He wrote two books of these -stories. - -He next took up the study of Irish folk lore. He spent a great deal of -time in Ireland collecting the stories which appear in three books. -Whenever he heard of some old man or woman who knew an old story, he -went to that place and got the person to tell it to him, writing it down -as it was told. Many times it was one he had already heard, but that -could not discourage Mr. Curtin. As a result of this care his books are -very valuable to the older students of folk lore. - -What an interesting life this man must have led! Think of the work he -must have done to learn the many languages well enough to get the -stories. We think we are well educated if we can read two or three -languages beside our own. Mr. Curtin, when he died, was familiar with -sixty languages! - -And now that we know something about how folk lore is collected, we are -ready to make the acquaintance of Finn and his Fenian warriors. - - - - - THE FENIANS - - -The stories of the great heroes of Ireland, or Erin as it used to be -called, are gathered in groups around certain men. The Fenians whom Finn -MacCool commanded from the age of ten until his death, was a body of -military men about whom the best known stories are told. - -These Fenians might be said to correspond to our standing army. There -were three groups of a thousand men each in peace times. In time of war -the number could be expanded enough to take in all who wished to fight. -Some people claim that Finn and his Fenians never existed. Others say -that this body of men did exist from 400 years before the birth of -Christ until they were destroyed in a great battle in the year 284 A. D. -Whether they formed a real army or not does not spoil our enjoyment of -their deeds of bravery. - -In reading the exploits of the Fenians it is necessary to remember that -to the Irish mind these men were either gods or giants, many times the -size of people of the present day. If you forget this you will not be -able to understand how one hero can hold back a whole army of ordinary -soldiers, and how strokes of their swords cut off whole hilltops and -formed new valleys. - -To become a Fenian was a great honor. It was only open to men of the -best families and of the highest character, and many of these were not -able to pass the tests required. - -In the first place a Fenian must be well educated in poetry and must be -able to write it himself. In other words, he must have all the education -which those days gave. Again, he must pledge himself to be kind and -gentle to the weak and oppressed, to be willing to fight when challenged -and to keep up the battle until he won or was killed. He must promise -never to injure the common people, not to allow gold to make him false -to his friends, not to accept a dowry with a wife. He must agree not to -run away from nine or less champions, and his parents must pledge -themselves not to seek revenge if he was killed in battle. - -The physical tests were even harder to pass. The candidate must have his -hair braided, take his spear in his hand and through the forest. After -he was given sufficient start he was pursued by other Fenians. If he was -overtaken, he was wounded and rejected. If his spear trembled, or if he -broke a dry branch in his flight, that also barred him out. Then, when -the trial was over, his braids were examined. If he had shaken them out -of position, proving that he had had to work hard to get away, he had to -give up all hopes of joining. - -Another test consisted of placing him in a hole up to his waist and -giving him a shield in one hand and a hazelwood stick in the other. Nine -warriors with nine spears formed in a circle and threw at him. If he was -wounded he was not accepted. No wonder that a man who passed such tests -was ready to face great numbers of ordinary soldiers. - -A Fenian had also to be very nimble and supple. One of the tests was to -put up a lath on the level of his eyebrows and another farther on, just -the height of his knees. The man had to go at full speed, leaping over -the first one and going under the second without slackening his pace. -The boys who read this have only to try this test to realize that a -Fenian would be a winner on a track team of today. - -It was men who could pass such tests who made up the kind of heroes -commanded by Cool, Gaul of Morna and Finn. These are the three great -leaders mentioned in the stories. Cool made them a mighty band; Gaul -held them together after the death of Cool; Finn was the last and -greatest leader. - - - - - THE BIRTH OF FINN - - -The first great chief of the Fenians was Cool. He was a mighty warrior -and splendid hero. He it was who organized these men into an army of -strength, which he governed wisely but sternly. - -Over Cool was Conn, the High King, known as Conn the Hundred Fighter, -because he had been victorious in a hundred battles. It was Conn whom -Cool and his men had to swear to honor and defend. Conn’s principal -city, the one in which he held his court, was known as Tara. These facts -it is necessary to know before we can understand the story which -follows. - -In one part of the kingdom, in the castle of Alma, dwelt an old chief -and his beautiful daughter, Murna. The girl was kept within the castle -under heavy guard and no man was allowed to see or speak to her. There -was a reason for this harsh treatment. When she was born a prophet told -her father that her son would take his land and title from him. As the -old chief was very fond of his castle he thought he would make a -grandson impossible by never allowing his daughter to marry. - -One day Cool rode by the castle and saw Murna at the upper window. He -was greatly struck by her beauty. - -“Who is the maiden?” he asked one of his advisers. - -“It will do you little good to know,” replied the man. “Her father has -forbidden any man to wed her.” - -“The men of this district must have little spirit to allow such a prize -to go unwon,” remarked Cool. - -“You would not think so if you saw the number of guards always in place -to make such a thing impossible,” was the reply. - -Cool said no more. That evening he went back to the castle, overpowered -the guards and climbed to the window at which he had seen the girl. When -she saw this mighty hero at her window, she let him in and they talked -together. Cool was already in love with her from having seen her -beautiful face, but after he had talked with her and found her as gentle -and sweet as she was beautiful, he vowed that he would have no one but -her for a wife. Any girl of Ireland would have been proud to be wooed by -such a splendid hero. The maiden was sure that she could never love any -one else, so Cool took her away. They were married that very night. - -You can imagine how the old chief felt about this theft of his daughter -and her marriage. He saw now that the prophecy might come true. He -hastened to the High King and told his story. - -This put Conn in a puzzling position. As a man he sympathized with Cool, -but as a King he saw that the chief was justified in complaining. He -ordered Cool to appear before him. - -“Do you deny that you stole the chief’s daughter for your wife?” he -asked. - -“I do not,” said Cool stoutly. - -“Do you think that the proper conduct for a Fenian?” asked the King. - -“Is it not the rule of the Fenians to help the weak who are oppressed?” -asked Cool in answer. - -“This maiden was not oppressed,” said the old chief. “She was my -daughter and under my protection.” - -“Any maiden is oppressed who is not allowed to love and be loved by the -man of her choice,” said Cool. “If you had permitted anyone to seek her -in marriage she would not have been taken from you by force.” - -King Conn hated to decide. He did not wish to offend the leader of his -army, nor could he afford to make an enemy of the old chief and lose his -fealty. He finally decided that he could replace his leader more easily, -so he ruled that Cool must give back the maiden. - -Now Cool had been greatly in love with Murna when he took her from the -castle, but having her for his wife had made her more dear to him. He -decided that life would not be worth living without her. He defied Conn -to take her from him. - -[Illustration: - The hermit killed Cool and took his head to Gaul - From Birth of Finn] - -With his beautiful bride and those Fenians who were more loyal to him -than to the High King, Cool fled to the forest. There he defended -himself and for some time kept at bay the forces of Conn. - -After Cool fled the leadership of the Fenians was given to Gaul of -Morna, another brave warrior. In the course of the battle Cool and the -new leader met in single combat. All day long they fought fiercely and -bravely; Gaul to show himself brave enough to lead the army and Cool for -his wife and his happiness. In the evening Cool weakened and he received -a wound which made it impossible to fight on. Gaul thought too much of -his old leader to kill him while he lay wounded, so he withdrew. - -It so happened that another witnessed this battle. It was an old hermit -who lived by himself in the forest. This man was reputed to have great -knowledge. It proved that he had also a great desire to make himself -popular with the High King. He did what Gaul would not do—he killed the -wounded Cool and took his head to Gaul. - -In place of receiving the praise he wanted, he found Gaul greatly -displeased. The hermit was driven out of the camp as a coward, with -sticks and stones hurled after him as a reward. - -With the defeat of their leader the rebel Fenians surrendered, and the -young widow was left without protection. She must either go back to her -father or hide in the forest. The latter course was the one she chose. - -Poor girl, she was not used to such treatment. She became very weak and -ill. At last she gave up and approached an old hut in the forest. Here -she was taken in by an old woman, who fed her and nursed her. - -It was in this hut that the baby, who was to become such a great hero, -was born. Murna stayed in the hut until the baby could be left, fearful -that each day would bring the searchers sent out by her father, who -would kill her child. She finally decided that the baby would be safer -if she went back to the castle of Alma. She pledged the old woman to -raise the child but to tell no one who he was. The woman promised and -Murna went back to her father. - - - - - FINN’S BOYHOOD - - -Many stories are told of the boyhood of this hero. He grew tall and -straight with long fair hair and bright blue eyes. Because of his -complexion he was called Finn, which means “The Fair”. - -Living among the wild things of the forest he grew like them. No deer -could run away from him, he could run at full speed without cracking a -dry branch, he could track any animal by the prints on the forest floor, -while his eyes were as keen as those of an eagle. - -An early adventure of the boy reminds one of the story told of Putnam, -our hero of Revolutionary days. I refer to the story of the killing of -the wolf. In the case of Finn it was a wildcat. While he was still a -very young child his friends of the forest were greatly annoyed by the -visits of a vicious wildcat. This animal made steady attacks on the -flocks and herds of the people of the forest. - -The men hunted for the animal without result. No one thought of Finn as -a hunter and he told no one of his intention. With his knowledge of -tracking he found the trail of the wildcat and followed it to its lair -in a deep cave. Without hesitation he went right in until he found the -animal. - -There was no space in the cave for the use of a sword, so Finn did not -draw it. Instead he attacked the animal with his bare hands. He caught -it by the throat and held it until it ceased its struggles. Then he -carried the dead beast back and showed it to the surprised residents of -the forest. Its skin afterwards became part of his costume. - -When he was old enough for books, the old woman gave him into the charge -of the hermit of the forest. This man taught him the “Twelve Books of -Poetry”, which seems to be about all the people of those days learned -from books. Finn was a bright pupil and very early became skilful enough -to write poetry himself. - -I am afraid that the hermit took little interest in the teaching of his -pupil. You see, the man was deeply interested in gaining wisdom for -himself. He had placed his hut on the bank of a little stream, not, as -you suppose, so that he would have water for cooking, but because this -was the stream mentioned in the prophecy as the one up which the Salmon -of Knowledge would come. - -In the folk stories of many races we find the salmon considered as the -wisest of fishes. In Ireland, however, there was the story of this -particular salmon which would some day swim up the stream. The man who -ate the flesh of this fish would be ever afterwards the wisest man in -the country. - -The prophecy said that the fish would come when the man who was to eat -him arrived. As no one knew who this was to be, the hermit had hopes -that the fish would come to him. - -Finn helped to watch for this wonderful fish. This was a task he loved, -and it was one to which he was well suited on account of his keen eyes. -One afternoon, while he lay on the bank, a big, beautiful salmon swam -slowly toward him. The sunlight glistened on his scales that shone like -silver. - -The big fish swam right in front of him, turning back and forth in the -sunlight and showing very plainly that it did not intend swimming away. -At last Finn remembered that it was a fish he was waiting for, so he -reached into the water for it. The salmon offered no fight, but allowed -the boy to lift him out upon the bank. - -Of course the hermit was delighted to see the fish. He knew at once that -it was the Salmon of Knowledge. He felt that he was already the wisest -man in the country. But even with knowledge so close to him he still had -a desire to have some one else do the work. He set his pupil at the task -of cooking the fish, cautioning him against eating a bite of it. Then he -went off to take a nap. - -Finn sat before the fire turning the fish slowly. He, too, had heard of -the Salmon of Knowledge, but he never guessed that this was the one. -Neither did he have any idea that he was the person of the prophecy. He -did not even know who he was, nor anything about his father or mother. -As he turned the smoking fish he got his thumb against the meat and -burnt it severely. To ease the pain he put it in his mouth and sucked -the sore thumb. - -That was all that was necessary to give him knowledge. He sprang to his -feet, his eyes blazing with anger. Buckling on his sword he went in and -roused the hermit from his sleep. What the man saw in his pupil’s eyes -frightened him. - -“Did you eat that salmon?” demanded the hermit. - -“I but burnt my finger on it and sucked the place,” said Finn. “That was -enough. I know now that I am the son of Cool and that you killed him -while he lay wounded. Get up and defend yourself, for I am about to -avenge my father!” - -Finn was but a boy, but already the strength of a champion was coming to -him. The hermit fought for his life, but he was no match for the son of -the man he had treacherously killed. He quickly paid for his foul deed, -and Finn ate the Salmon of Knowledge, as it was intended he should. - -From that time on he had more wisdom than the wisest man in Ireland. Not -only that, but when in times of stress he desired to know the outcome of -a battle or an adventure, by biting the thumb which had been burned he -could tell the result. In other stories you will see how this knowledge -aided him. Of course, you will wonder why he ever made mistakes with -such a gift. I am unable to tell you that. Many of the adventures we -read of a wise man would never have attempted. Probably he only used -this thumb in times of great importance for fear that if he used it for -everything the great gift would leave him. - - - - - FINN CLAIMS HIS INHERITANCE - - -A tremendous gathering of the men of Erin had come together at the city -of Tara, the central city of the realm. The Fenians were camped in a -circle around the outskirts. At night the lights of their campfires made -a circle of fire as though to protect it from danger. - -Conn, the High King, was holding court in the great banquet hall where a -thousand of the chiefs and champions were gathered with him. This hall -was seven hundred sixty feet long, ninety feet wide and built of hewn -logs. Down each side ran a double row of benches with hewn tables in -front of them. In each row were two hundred fifty of the finest manhood -of Erin. Their weapons and shields rested against the walls behind them -while they ate. Down the center was a row of fires over which, on spits, -great roasts of meat were cooking. An army of cooks were constantly -busy, tending the fires, turning the spits and carrying food to the -tables. - -At the end of the hall on a raised platform sat Conn, his son Arthur, -and Gaul of Morna, leader of the Fenians. They were in earnest -consultation. - -One would have thought that such a gathering of heroes at a feast would -have been a jolly one. It was not so. A deep silence hung over all. Men -ate in silence with gloomy faces and downcast eyes, sad because they -felt that it would be their last gathering in that splendid hall. - -Suddenly a voice rang out through the silence. Clear and firm it was, so -that every word was heard the length of the hall. - -“Conn, High King of Erin, a lonely and disinherited youth, without money -and without friends, claims thy hospitality!” - -The men of Erin looked at the newcomer in surprise. They saw a youth -about ten years of age, clad in the skins of the forest animals. Hanging -at his belt in front was a great sword, while his skin covered shield -hung over his shoulders at the back. His fair hair fell to his -shoulders, while his blue eyes caught the glint of light from the spears -along the wall and shot it back like flashes of sunlight. It was Finn, -son of Cool, appearing for the first time before the Fenians. - -The High King had matters of too much weight on his mind to take much -heed of the boy who claimed what no king at that time would refuse—a -place at the table and a bed. He motioned to Finn to take his place with -the others and went on with his discussion. - -Finn ate with the other men of Erin. He said no word until he had -finished his meal. Then he arose and once more addressed the High King. - -“I know it is not customary for a stranger to note that there is -anything wrong in the house of his host, but I am impressed by your look -of sadness and the silence of the men of Erin. Is aught amiss that may -be told to a stranger?” - -“Our troubles are not secret, though it shames me to tell them,” -answered the High King. “Tonight is the time set for the destruction of -Tara, and I am powerless to save it. Each year for nine years, at the -midnight hour of this night, the giant Midna appears and throws balls of -fire at the city until it is destroyed. Each year I have rebuilt it, -only to know that my work is to last but for a year. The women and -children have been sent away. Only the Fenians remain to witness my -shame. Do you wonder, O Youth, that we are sick at heart?” - -“And is there no brave champion or youth anxious to prove his bravery -who can go out and meet this giant?” asked Finn. - -“Alas, no,” sighed the High King. “It is not that the men of Erin are -lacking in bravery. Many have tried without result. When Midna is ready -to destroy, he plays fairy music upon his pipes, and not a man can stay -awake. When sleep leaves our eyes he is gone, and the city is a heap of -ashes. We watch again tonight, but we have no hopes of success.” - -Of course Finn, having eaten the Salmon of Knowledge, knew this as well -as anybody. His purpose in asking for information was to obtain a -promise from Conn. - -“What shall be the reward of him who slays the giant and saves the -city?” asked Finn. - -“If such a feat be possible, no reward that he shall ask will be -refused,” answered the High King. - -“Even to the return of my inheritance?” asked Finn. - -“Yes, fair youth,” answered Conn. “Even if your inheritance be my crown, -and my son and I must become your vassals, it shall be returned to you.” - -“Is that your promise, O King, made before all these men of Erin?” -insisted Finn. - -“It is,” declared the king, stepping down and putting his hand in that -of the boy. “My hand is my pledge that I will do as I promise.” - -“Then I shall attempt the trial,” said Finn. - -He waved back all offers of spears and shields from the men of Erin and -went out by himself into the darkness. He sought out a place in a dark -grove and waited quietly. Soon a man appeared, bearing a large cloak and -a heavy spear. The spear handle was studded with nails of gold, but the -point was incased in a leather covering. The man gave Finn directions -for the use of the articles and disappeared. - -Soon the lights in the banquet hall went out, as the champions went to -their posts in the circle defending the city. No man spoke to his -neighbor. That would have been useless since every man had his ears -filled with wax in the hopes that he might shut out the sound of the -strange, sweet music that put all to sleep. - -Finn climbed a hill overlooking the city. His knowledge told him that -here it was the giant would come. Soon he heard in the distance the -sound of pipes. The music lulled his senses, his eyelids drooped, his -head began to nod. Not till then did he take the leather covering from -the spear head. It glowed like fire and little tongues of light shot out -in all directions. From the spear came the sound of many voices crying -out together. Finn pressed the point to his forehead. The pain of the -burning was stronger than the spell of the music. - -Soon the lights of the circle began to reel and go out as one after -another of the Fenians came under the spell of the music. At last only -the lights of the stronger chiefs were burning. - -The music then changed to the sweetness of strings. Once again Finn had -to press the spear head to his forehead. The lights went out one by one -until there was but one left, that of Conn, and it was reeling like that -of a drunken man. Then it, too, went out. Tara was unprotected by her -army. - -And now Finn heard the sound of heavy feet. There was a splashing of -water as of one crossing a river. Finn looked in the direction of the -sound and beheld a mighty mountain of man ascending the hill on which he -stood. It was the giant Midna. - -Midna looked over the city lying at his mercy and laughed aloud. He blew -from his mouth a red fire ball which was to begin the destruction of the -city. Finn reached out his cloak and caught the ball in its folds, where -it died out harmlessly. The amazed giant shot another and another at the -city, but not one passed the folds of Finn’s cloak. - -At first, I suppose, the giant thought that he was shooting a poor grade -of fire balls that evening. When, however, he looked to the place where -they disappeared and saw Finn catching them in his cloak, he let out a -roar of fear and ran back toward his home as quickly as he could. -Probably he had heard some prophecy that told him of the coming of this -boy, dressed in skins; maybe he saw that Finn’s powers were greater than -his; anyway he did not pause for battle, but ran with all the speed he -possessed. - -Finn gave chase. He was, you remember, very fleet of foot, but the -giant’s legs were many times longer and the distance grew between them. -The spear flamed brightly and seemed struggling to get free. - -“Go then, if you will,” cried Finn, as he hurled it after the fast -disappearing giant. - -Like a meteor in the night sky the spear sped through the darkness and -disappeared. Finn ran on after it. He found the giant dead at the door -of his cave in the hillside. The spear had passed through his body and -disappeared. - -With his sword Finn took the enchanter’s head as proof that he had won -the battle. When he passed the place where he had dropped the cloak he -found nothing. Like the spear, it disappeared when its work was done. -Finn placed the head of the giant on a pole in front of the banquet hall -so that all might see it in the morning. - -And then, after it was all over, he became very faint and sick. The use -of the weapons of magic had taken all the strength out of his body. He -reeled like a drunken man toward the spring which furnished water for -the banquet hall. Finn had another power of which I must tell you. By -bringing water in his cupped hands to one sick or wounded he could -restore him to health. He used this power now and drank from his own -hands. At once his sickness passed. Then he lay down and slept. - -In the morning he woke early and gave a mighty shout. - -Even though their ears were filled with wax the Fenians could not fail -to hear his voice. They struggled from their sleep and rubbed their eyes -in astonishment to see, not a heap of smoking ruins, but Tara, -resplendent in the morning sun. - -They came with all speed, Conn and Gaul in the lead, to the spot where -Finn stood pointing at the head of their late enemy. - -“Who are you, brave youth?” asked Conn. “You are no common man since you -have done what no one else could do.” - -Then Finn drew himself up and in a loud voice cried: - -“I claim my inheritance—the castle of Alma and the leadership of the -Fenians. I am Finn, son of Cool, and these things belong to me in my -right.” - -“What I have promised I will fulfill,” declared Conn. “I give you your -inheritance the more willingly because your father was my friend and -loyal subject until I decided unfairly against him.” - -Then Gaul of Morna gave up the leadership of the Fenians and put his -hand in that of Finn to show that he was willing to be his friend and -follower. The other leaders followed his example. It must have gone hard -with some of these mighty chiefs to swear fealty to a ten year old boy. -The only thing that made such a thing possible was that Finn had done -something no other of them could do and had entered the class of a -champion by killing the giant. - -Thus Finn MacCool became the leader of the Fenians. - - - - - FINN AND THE SCOTTISH GIANT - - -This story is one told by the Irish peasants in explaining a bridge of -rock off the northern coast of their country. It is a typical Finn -story, showing that leader’s strength and his wisdom. The giant who had -a secret of strength is found in the folk lore of many nations. No doubt -you remember the Bible hero, Samson, who lost his strength with the -cutting of his long hair. You may compare him with the Scottish giant. - - * * * * * - -When Finn was not training his men or traveling in search of adventure, -he used to visit the old woman who had raised him. The stories do not -mention his ever having seen his real mother. The foster-mother takes -her place. Finn built a cottage for her in the northern part of the -country and saw to it that she never needed anything. - -One day, while visiting the woman, he stood on the rocky coast looking -out over the ocean. Over on the coast of Scotland he saw a giant of -tremendous proportions. This fellow seemed to be driving pillars into -the ocean and was working very hard. He saw Finn in the distance and -called out: - -“You might as well settle up your business, because when I get through -with you there will not be much of you left to talk about!” - -The giant’s voice was a mighty roar which carried nicely over the miles -separating them. Now Finn had heard of this giant and the threat did not -frighten him in the least. He called back in a voice nearly as strong as -the giant’s own: - -“Come over any time you like. You’ll need more than a bridge to take you -back after I get through with you.” - -The giant said no more, so Finn went back to the cottage. He knew that -his men had boasted to the Scottish people about the great strength of -their leader. He also knew that the Scotch giant was anxious to settle -the question as to which was the better man. Now, Finn was afraid of no -man. Having bested every champion in Ireland he was always anxious to -try his strength against any new hero who appeared. - -Each morning he went out and watched the giant building the bridge -across the channel. When the man began to get nearer, Finn got an idea -of his size. He was at least four times the size of the Irish hero and -the way he handled the great stone pillars showed that his strength was -tremendous. Finn saw that if the giant got hold of him as he did a rock -pillar, he would have little chance of escaping alive. - -As I have told you, Finn was no coward. You also know that he was no -fool. He was noted for wisdom as well as strength. He saw that a combat -at close quarters with such a mountain of muscle would be foolish. He -began to devise plans for getting the better of the giant when the -bridge should be finished. - -When he saw that the work would last but a few days more he no longer -went to the shore but kept at home out of sight. He enlisted the aid of -his foster-mother in the preparations for the giant’s arrival. He -brought in a large stone as big as a water bucket and placed it on a -shelf in the cottage. Then he had the woman make, from the whey of sour -milk, a ball large enough to fill his two hands. This he placed near the -rock. - -Next he had the woman bake several cakes of meal. A few were just the -ordinary ones such as they ate regularly, but in the middle of the -others he had her put plates of solid iron. These cakes were placed in -the cupboard close at hand. When you see how these different things were -used you will see that Finn had a perfect plan worked out. - -Then Finn told his foster-mother all the things she must do and in what -order each was to come. - -“I fear that he will be too much for you,” said the woman. - -“He would be as he is,” declared Finn. “By biting my thumb I learn that -the secret of his strength is in one of his fingers—which one I cannot -tell. It shall be your task to find out the finger.” - -At last the day came on which the bridge was completed. A messenger was -sent out to give the giant directions for reaching the cottage, while -Finn himself, dressed as a baby, got into the big cradle he had built -for the purpose. - -Soon the doorway darkened. The great giant stood there looking in. He -was an ugly and terrible looking fellow with two great teeth sticking -out of his jaw like those of a walrus. The doorway was a large one, but -the giant filled it, shutting out the light behind him. - -“I am looking for the fellow who calls himself Finn MacCool,” roared the -giant in a voice that shook the walls of the house. - -Finn’s foster-mother sat calmly rocking the cradle and working on some -clothes she was mending. To look at her one would have thought that the -visit of a giant was an everyday occurrence. - -“And who might you be?” she asked. - -“That’s no matter,” growled the giant. “I’ve come from Scotland to see -him and I’m in a hurry.” - -“Oh, you must be that foolish fellow who thinks he wants to have a trial -with Finn,” suggested the woman. - -“Foolish!” roared the giant. “Show me where he is and you will soon find -out which one is the foolish one!” - -“Come right in,” said the woman. “I am very sorry, but Finn is away and -will not be back until tomorrow. He waited for you as long as he could. -You see, you were so long in coming he decided that you had become -frightened and had turned back, so he went off to attend to some -business. Just as he left he said to me, ‘If that fellow from Scotland -gets here while I am gone, treat him well and get him to stay. I would -not miss knocking a trial out of him at any cost.’” - -“Well, he won’t miss me,” answered the giant. “I’ll wait.” - -“Come right in then,” said the woman. “I will give you a bite to eat.” - -The giant thrust himself through the doorway into the room. Inside, -where he could straighten himself up, he looked more terrible than -before. As there was no seat in the cottage big enough for him he leaned -against the wall, which bulged out with his weight. The woman busied -herself before the fire. - -“Who is that?” asked the giant, pointing to Finn in the cradle. - -“That’s Finn’s little baby,” answered the woman. “I wish you would be -more quiet while you are in here. The baby is just beginning to cut his -teeth, and he is very cross if he awakens suddenly.” - -The giant really tried to soften his voice, but the result was very -funny. When he was speaking very softly, his voice was like that of a -fog horn in a coast light house. - -“Dear me,” sighed the woman after a while. “This fire draws so poorly! -The wind is in the wrong direction. If Finn were here he would turn the -house around so that the fire would do better.” - -“What Finn can do will be only a small task for me,” said the giant. - -He went outside, took the house by one corner and turned it so that it -faced in a different direction. You can believe that the woman was -thoroughly frightened to see this exhibition of strength. She wondered -what chance Finn would have against such a man. Still she believed in -his wisdom, so she continued to carry out her instructions. When the -giant came back she seemed very calm. - -“Well, how is that?” asked the giant when he came in again. - -“The fire draws better,” she admitted, “but you did it very clumsily. I -thought you were going to shake the house to pieces. Finn lifts it -around so easily that he jars not a thing on the shelves. But of course -you are not nearly so strong as Finn.” - -The giant was so crestfallen that he had nothing to say for some time. - -“Oh, dear,” cried the woman a little later. “I am all out of water. Finn -promised to split open the rock of the spring before he left, but he -forgot all about it. I wonder if you could do it.” - -“Of course I can,” said the giant. “Show me the rocks.” - -The woman took up a bucket and led him to a place where two rocky hills -sent up their peaks very close together. - -“That is the place,” she said. “Finn intended pulling them apart when he -had time so that we could have water nearby.” - -The giant put a foot against one peak and took the other in his hands. -With a mighty heave he separated the two hills and let the water stream -out between them. The woman filled her bucket and went back to the -house, the giant following her. - -“How did that suit you?” he asked. - -“You did that very well,” said the woman. “But of course that is hardly -a man’s job.” - -The giant seemed to feel keenly the fact that his strength made no -impression on the woman. He looked around the room to see if he could -find something else to talk about. He saw the big rock on the shelf. - -“Perhaps you will tell me why you keep that rock on the shelf?” he -asked. - -“Oh, that,” said the woman as if it could be of no importance, “that is -just a little trick of Finn’s. He uses it to practice on in the -mornings.” - -“Ho! Ho!” laughed the giant. “Why should he practice with such a rock as -that?” He picked it up and tossed it from hand to hand as though it were -an orange. - -“He keeps up the strength of his fingers with it,” answered the woman. -“Each morning he squeezes the water out of a rock. If you are the man -Finn is you can do the same.” - -The giant took the stone in his two hands and squeezed with all his -might and main. Of course no water could come out of a solid rock. The -first finger of his right hand sank into the stone with his efforts. - -“Your one finger has a little strength,” said the woman. “If the rest of -you had the force of that finger, you might get a few drops.” - -“It is that finger which gives me my strength,” the foolish giant told -her. Once more he took up the rock and squeezed the rock harder than -ever with no result. The baby in the cradle set up a lusty cry. - -“Poor baby,” said the woman. “He is sorry for you. His father lets him -practice on a small rock. See what he can do.” - -She gave Finn the ball of whey. Finn took it in his two hands and -squeezed it, letting the water stream on the floor. The giant was -amazed. - -“It’s a pretty strong baby,” he admitted. - -“It would have to be to belong to Finn MacCool,” said the woman. - -The giant seemed to be thinking deeply. Perhaps he doubted his wisdom in -coming to try conclusions with the father of such a baby. - -Soon Finn’s foster-mother took one of the cakes from the cupboard and -handed it to the giant. - -“Take this,” she said. “It will help stay your appetite until I get you -something better.” - -The giant thanked her and bit down into the cake. As it was one of those -with the iron core, all he succeeded in doing was to break off two of -his teeth. He took the cake out of his mouth and felt his jaw. - -“What’s the matter?” asked the woman. “Maybe those cakes are too hard -for you. Finn wouldn’t eat them because they were too soft. I’ll get you -another one.” - -She passed the giant one more of the iron-filled cakes. Once more he bit -into it and again he lost some teeth. He went to the door to spit them -out. He did not seem to care for these cakes. - -“You say Finn doesn’t like cakes as soft as that?” he asked. - -“He won’t touch them,” she answered. “He leaves them for the baby.” - -She took one of the ordinary cakes and gave it to Finn in the cradle. -The giant looked on to see what happened. Finn ate the cake ravenously. - -The giant was more puzzled than ever. He called for another cake and bit -into it with all the strength of his jaws. It would be hard to tell just -how many teeth he lost this time, but he could not get a bite off the -cake. The woman gave Finn another and again it went down in a hurry. - -“And you say he is just getting his teeth?” asked the giant. - -“Just a few have come,” she answered. - -“I’d like to have a feel of such teeth,” said the giant. - -He put his strong finger in Finn’s mouth and felt for the teeth. This -was just what Finn had been waiting for. As soon as the finger was in -his mouth he clamped down his teeth and bit it off. - -With the loss of his finger the giant’s extraordinary strength left him. -Finn tore off the bed clothes and set upon him like a whirlwind. The -walls bulged out. Most of the house was ruined. Finn’s foster-mother -watched from the outside of the house. Soon she had the satisfaction of -seeing the giant come dashing out of the house with Finn hammering him -as he ran. - -Only the fact that the giant’s legs were very long saved him from a -worse beating. He got out on his bridge as fast as he could. Nor did he -slow down until he got a good distance from the Irish shore. Then he -threw down the pillars as fast as he could so that Finn would be unable -to follow him. - -The giant never tried to come back. He cleared out all the pillars on -the Scottish side, but, you can well believe, he never went near the -Irish shore again. To this day you can still see them standing out into -the water, just as he left them in his hurry. People call the remaining -pillars “The Giant’s Causeway” and this is the story they tell as to how -it happens to be there. - - - - -[Illustration: - The Black Druid appeared in the form of Finn - From the Story of Saba] - - THE STORY OF SABA - - -Finn always enjoyed a hunting excursion. In those days, when all the -fighting was done with sword and spear, hunting was a different sport -from what it is today. All the champions had fleet hounds, and they, -themselves, from their training in speed, lagged little behind the dogs -in the chase. - -Finn had two beautiful hounds, Bran and Skolawn, which went with him at -all times. He was very fond of them both. The stories tell that there -were only two times in his life that he shed tears, and one of these was -at the death of Bran. - -One day Finn was out on the chase when the hounds gave tongue and set -off at a rapid pace. You may be sure that Finn was not far behind them. -When he came to a little glade among the trees, he saw a peculiar sight. -There, on the turf beside a little stream, stood a beautiful doe. Finn -raised his spear, but the strange behavior of the dogs stayed his hand. -Instead of rushing at the deer, they approached her gently and licked -the hair of her neck and shoulders. - -The other Fenians came up and would have killed the animal had not Finn -stopped them. - -“No”, he cried. “She shall not be killed! If the dogs do not wish to -harm her no one else shall.” - -When Finn went back to his camp, the deer followed him with his dogs. -When he went into his house, she lay down on the outside. - -That night he awoke suddenly to find standing at his bedside the most -beautiful woman he had ever seen. - -“Who are you?” he stammered, struggling from his sleep and rubbing his -eyes. - -“I am Saba, O Finn,” answered the maiden. “I am the deer you spared -today.” - -“The deer!” exclaimed Finn. - -“That shape was put upon me by the Black Druid because I would not -become his wife. I have wandered in the forest, pursued by man and -beast, and many times I have nearly lost my life. I should have given up -all hope had not a kindly slave of the Druid told me that if I could -come safely into your camp I would be freed from the enchantment. I -feared both dogs and men, but I trusted myself to your two hounds, which -seemed to realize my helplessness.” - -“Have no fear, fair Saba,” said Finn. “The Fenians fear no enchantment, -and you will be safe while under our protection.” - -Then Finn called his servants and had them prepare a room for the -maiden. The remainder of the night he spent in dreams of the beautiful -girl, who had come to him for protection. - -Next morning Finn did not go out on the chase. He stayed in camp and -talked to Saba. He found her even more beautiful in the daylight. The -thought that she had to come to him for aid, added to her many charms, -caused him to neglect everything for her. It ended by them both falling -deeply in love with one another. - -The feast for the wedding of Finn and Saba was an event in the life of -the Fenians. Never had such a celebration been held in Ireland. Conn, -the High King, and his son, Cormack, came. It could safely have been -said that no king nor prince ever had a finer wedding or a more -beautiful bride. - -For months Finn would not leave his young wife. Adventures had no call -to him; hunting had no charms. The love of this couple is one of the -most beautiful ones in history. - -But later there came a call to duty. Word came to Finn that the Danes -had landed on the north coast of Erin, and that the Fenians were -battling without their leader. This Finn could not allow. He got out his -weapons and shield, mounted his horse and left for the scene of the -battle. - -His farewell to Saba was very touching. That she might have perfect -protection while he was absent, he left behind a guard of some of his -bravest men, with cautions that they must give their lives rather than -lot her come under the power of the Black Druid. - -For eight days and nights he fought the Danes. At the end of that time, -with the foe driven back into the sea, he hastened to his young bride. -His heart was filled with joyousness at the thought of being with her -again. - -But when he approached his home, he saw his men standing around in -open-mouthed astonishment. Noting their look of fear, he called the -chief of them to him. - -“What has happened?” he asked. “Why is it my men look at me in such -surprise. Did they not expect me to return?” - -The chief seemed puzzled, too. “Were you not here three days ago?” he -asked. - -“Certainly not,” answered Finn. “Where is Saba? Did the Black Druid—” - -“I am fearful, O Finn, that it was indeed he,” replied the chief. “Three -days ago we saw you approaching with your two dogs at your side. Your -wife went joyously forth to meet you. The man we thought was you took -her up behind him, and then all disappeared in a mist. If it was not -you, it must have been the Druid appearing in your shape.” - -Finn, with his heart sad within him, searched every place from one end -of Erin to the other, but without success. It was too true. His wife had -disappeared as into a mist. It was undoubtedly the work of the Black -Druid. - -[Illustration: - The boy stood with his back to the tree waiting for the hounds to - attack - From the Story of Saba] - -Finn throughout all his life never ceased to mourn for Saba, nor to -search for her. Six years after her disappearance, while hunting in the -forest, he came upon a wild boy with straggly hair and fierce eyes. His -only clothing was the skins of beasts. The hounds had found him, and -when Finn came up, the boy was standing with his back to a tree, waiting -to strangle the hounds if they came at him. - -The sight reminded Finn of his own boyhood days. He called off the dogs -and took the boy home with him. At first the little fellow was too timid -and unused to language to speak. Gradually, however, his fear left him -and he became able to tell of his life in the forest. - -He could remember a woman who had dwelt with him in a cave. A dark man -had come and pleaded with her for several days, but always she had -refused to do what the man asked. At last he had become angry, had left -the cave and had never returned. The little boy remembered that he had -never seen the woman again. After that he had been tended by a beautiful -deer. - -Then Finn knew that the woman was Saba and that the wild boy was his own -son. He understood what the boy could not. The Black Druid had enticed -his wife away and tried once more to get her to marry him. When she -persistently refused him, he had turned her back into a deer. - -Once more Finn searched the forest, hoping that he might again find the -gentle deer, which had come to him before. His quest was without result. -Possibly the Druid saw to it that she should never get near him, but it -was more likely that some hunter had killed her. Finn mourned her as -dead and gave his attention to the raising of his boy. - -He named the child Ossian, which means Little Faun. He taught him the -poetry of the day and trained him in feats of arms. Ossian grew up to be -a worthy son of his father. In all the later battles we read of what a -splendid fighter he was. He and his son, Oscar, were always in the front -in time of danger. - -But Ossian was not only a great warrior. He inherited his father’s love -for poetry and the ability to write it. We have great numbers of stories -about the deeds of Finn and the Fenians, and the greater number are -written by the poet, Ossian. - - - - - CONAN, THE BALD - - -Not all the warriors of the Fenians were noted for their bravery. It is -now necessary that we become acquainted with Conan, the unheroic member -of the band. The stories do not tell how he ever passed his entrance -trials, or why he was allowed to remain a member. He did many things the -Fenians considered as unworthy of them. - -Conan was a man with an evil tongue. He never had a good word for any -one. No matter what his companions did, Conan would never have a word of -praise for them. He would make sneering remarks about the feat. This did -not mean that he would have done better himself. Far from it! He was a -great coward and shirked any task which had any danger attached to it. - -The fact that he had lost all his hair gave him his name. But there was -something else about him that gave the Fenians a great deal of -amusement. Whenever his armor was cut at the back, it showed everyone -that he had the back of a sheep. When you hear how he got such a back, -you will not wonder why the Fenians enjoyed the joke so much. - -One day Finn, Conan and several other heroes were out hunting. All day -long they had followed the chase, and in the afternoon they arrived in a -new country, before a beautiful castle. Seeing no one around they went -in. They found themselves in a large room, down the center of which ran -a big table loaded with food. Along the sides of the table were rows of -high-backed chairs. - -As there was no one around, and as the feast seemed to have been just -prepared, the men decided that it had been placed there for them. They -sat down and began to eat. It was a delicious meal. - -Suddenly something about the room made Finn look up from his food. When -they had come in, the ceiling had been high and richly decorated. Now it -was changing into the smoke-stained roof of a hut. Finn knew then that -they had walked into an enchanted house, put there just to trap them. He -called out a warning to his companions and ordered them all outside -immediately. - -When they were free from the house, and saw the great change that had -taken place in it, they were, thankful for Finn’s wisdom in getting them -out before it had been too late. - -But they were not all out. Conan was still in the room eating like a -pig. They called to him, urging him to hurry. He refused to leave such a -fine array of food. At last two of the Fenians rushed in and took him by -the arms. When they pulled at him they found that the enchantment was -already beginning to work. He was growing fast to the back of the chair. - -Conan was now thoroughly alarmed. He begged the men to pull him loose. -The two Fenians pulled with all their might. With a mighty wrench they -freed him, but his shirt and the skin of his back had grown fast to the -chair. - -He was in a very painful condition. Something had to be done to relieve -him. He just lay on the ground and moaned and groaned. - -“Kill a sheep and cover the wound with the skin of the animal,” ordered -Finn. - -The men did his bidding. The skin of the freshly killed sheep was cut to -fit and bound to his sore back. Then Finn gave him a drink of water from -his cupped hands and restored his strength to him. The sheepskin grew -fast and could never be removed, so Conan always had to wear it. - -With all Conan’s cowardice, he really did come out victorious in one -battle. But when you hear of this particular combat, you will understand -why the Fenians, instead of honoring him for it, had less respect for -him than ever. - -During the progress of one battle, when a hostile army had landed on the -shores of Erin, one champion stood out in front each morning and -demanded single combat. - -“If you are not afraid of me,” he would call, “why don’t you send a man -to meet me?” - -He was not a great hero and the Fenians refused to be bothered with him -alone. Finally, when they grew tired of hearing the challenge, as a joke -they sent Conan out to fight with him. A roar of laughter came from the -Fenians as Conan went cautiously out to meet this man. The enemy gave a -cry of rage at the insult, and the champion called out angrily: - -“What do you mean by sending a clown to meet me? Is there not a man -among you who dares to face me?” - -Conan came forward slowly, afraid for his life. When he got close to the -champion, the latter said sarcastically: - -“The Fenians seem anxious that I be left unharmed, since they send me -such a dangerous foe.” - -“You are in more danger from the man behind you, than from the one in -front of you,” said the cowardly Conan. - -The champion looked around to see what he meant. At that moment Conan -swung his sword and cut off the man’s head. - -This treacherous way of winning a combat angered Finn and the Fenians -beyond all measure. They considered that Conan had disgraced them. It is -a wonder they did not put him to death. His only punishment was -banishment from the band for a short time. We find him in the later -stories, just as full of trickery, just as cowardly and just as -uncomplimentary to his companions, but still the butt of all their -jokes. - - - - - DERMOT OF THE LOVE SPOT - - -One of the most splendid heroes of the Fenians was Dermot. His name is -second only to that of Finn in the stories of valiant deeds. He was -younger than his chief by many years, even younger than Ossian, Finn’s -son. Dermot was the fleetest man of them all, and also the one with the -keenest eyes. In many of the stories he is chosen for deeds of valor -rather than Finn himself. This happens, however, when Finn is an old -man, and his wisdom and leadership are of more value than his strength. - -This young hero was the son of a god. In those days, however, gods could -be wounded and could die. They lived on earth and needed food to live -on, just the same as other men. The distinction between the Irish gods -and heroes like Finn is very slight in the old stories. Dermot did have -one gift no other Fenian possessed. His foster-father, the god Angus, -had granted him a body that no weapon could wound. There was but one -thing that could harm him. That was the tusks of a wild boar. His -foster-father warned him never to hunt the boar unless it was absolutely -necessary, and then to exercise every care so as not to be wounded by -the tusks. - -Dermot was a handsome man, with curling fair hair and blue eyes like -those of his leader. He was Finn’s closest companion and greatly loved -by him. His was the soul of honor. If he got into trouble it was from -doing some task his honor demanded. His courage and strength were -unquestioned. The Fenians always fought with more bravery if they knew -Dermot was with them. - -Such a handsome man could not help being very popular with the maidens -of Erin. They liked him because of his strength and his handsome face. -But it was the Love Spot on his forehead which made it impossible for -any girl to look at him and not fall in love with him. You shall have to -hear how he received this gift. - -One day he was out hunting with Conan, Oscar and Gaul of Morna. As often -happened in those days, the chase led them far from their camp. With the -coming of darkness they began to look for a shelter for the night. They -wandered around until they came upon a little house in the forest. When -they knocked, a gray-haired man came to the door and inquired their -errand. - -“We ask for thy hospitality,” said Dermot. - -“That you shall have,” declared the old man, throwing wide the door. -“Come right in, and thousand welcomes to you.” - -Inside they found a queer household waiting for them. At the table sat a -beautiful young girl; before the fire was a large gray cat; while lying -at one side of the fireplace was a big sheep with a fleece of long, -shaggy wool. - -The old man went into the kitchen of the house and prepared a splendid -meal, which he placed before the heroes. All ate heartily, but, as -usual, Conan was still eating after all the others had finished. - -He was interrupted by the sheep, which climbed to the table and -commenced eating of the food that was left. Conan pushed the animal’s -nose out of the food time and time again and tried to go on with his -eating. It was of no use. Before he could get a bite, the old sheep -would thrust its nose into the plate. - -“I call it a strange house where a sheep is allowed to eat from the -table,” declared Conan. - -“I did not put him there,” answered the old man. “If you do not like his -company, put him off.” - -Conan grasped the sheep in his two arms, intending to lift it from the -table. To his surprise he could not move it. He tugged and strained -without avail. At last the sheep, with a quick toss of his head, threw -Conan into the center of the room. - -How the other men roared with laughter! It was always amusing to see -Conan get the worst of anything. As for Conan, he picked himself up -sulkily. - -“You laugh loudly,” he growled. “I’ll wager there is not one of you who -can move it.” - -The idea was ridiculous. To think of anyone claiming to be a hero and -unable to lift an ordinary sheep! Oscar, with a laugh, started to brush -the animal away with one hand. Soon he had the sheep in both arms and -was tugging and straining in an attempt to move it. Then he, too, found -himself thrown lightly away from the table. - -Now it ceased to be a joke. Dermot tried to remove the animal with no -better success. Gaul, it is true, got the sheep off the table for a -moment, but the animal soon turned this hero on his back and stood upon -him. Then it jumped back to the table. - -During all this time the old man had been looking on in amusement. Now -he spoke to the cat, which was lazily basking itself before the fire. - -“Take him away,” ordered the old man. - -The cat got up slowly and climbed to the table. Then, taking the sheep -by the long hair of its throat, the cat led it down and out of the room. - -The four heroes looked at one another in surprise and astonishment. -Dermot picked up his shield and his weapons. “Come,” he said to his -companions. “We shall not stay under a roof where a host makes game of -his guests.” - -“Sit down,” said the old man. “You have been testing your strength in an -impossible feat. You will not feel badly over your failure when I tell -you that the sheep you tried to move was the World, itself. To lift it -is a task no man can accomplish. The cat could master the animal easily, -because the cat was Old Age, and even the world cannot withstand its -force. Come, let me show you to your beds.” - -The heroes were somewhat soothed by the explanations and followed the -host into another room, where they found their beds prepared for them. -Later, the young girl came to the door and looked from one to the other -of the men. - -“I have a gift,” she said. “It goes to but one of you.” - -“Let me have it,” said Conan. “If ever a man needed a gift, it is I.” - -“Give it to me,” said Oscar. “I am the strongest.” - -Gaul and Dermot said nothing. These men were wise. They knew that they -were in an enchanted house, and that the girl would give the gift to -whom she chose. - -“Not to you, or you, or you,” she said pointing in turn to Conan, Oscar -and Gaul. “My gift cannot go to any of you. I am Youth and youth has -left you all.” - -She approached the couch of Dermot. “You can never grow old,” she said, -“so I shall always be with you. To you I shall give the gift that Youth -can bestow.” - -She raised her wand and touched him lightly on the forehead. - -“I give to you the Love Spot, Dermot,” she said. “Who wears it will win -the love of all women. No maiden will be able to look upon you without -loving you. Treat my gift with honor and with wisdom.” - -Then the maiden left the room, and the heroes went to sleep. - -That is the way in which Dermot received the Love Spot. It made him -beloved by all women, but in the end, this gift caused him great sorrow. -You shall see in the story of “Dermot and Grainne” that the gifts of the -fairies do not always bring happiness. - - - - - DERMOT RESCUES FINN - - -Finn’s dearest friend and constant companion, during his later years, -was Dermot. This young man was most loyal to his chief, and because he -was such a true friend, so strong in the fight, so swift of foot and so -keen of sight, Finn depended greatly upon him. Where Finn went you were -sure to find Dermot, and if Dermot was off on an adventure, Finn was -pretty sure to be with him. - -On the day of our story the two were out hunting with some friends. We -find these Fenians on the hunt a great deal of the time. The reason is a -simple one. From November to May the men of the army lived at the -expense of the High King and the people; from May to November they had -to get their food and clothing by hunting. Naturally, many of the -adventures start on a hunting trip. - -As this particular morning advanced, the party decided to stop in a -little sheltered spot near the shore for their meal. It was while the -men were getting the game cooked that Finn and Dermot strolled along the -beach and sat down on a ledge of rock. While they were there a ship -sailed into the little harbor. - -It was a small vessel, handsome in every line, with sails full as if in -a strong breeze. This was remarkable because no air was stirring at that -time. The ship neared the shore and stopped. The sails dropped loosely. -Finn and Dermot looked in vain for the crew, but there was no one -visible except a lone woman, who sat on the deck. - -“It is a wonder to me that one woman should be able to sail a ship alone -and come into a harbor at full speed with no wind blowing,” said Finn. - -Dermot was looking with interest toward the ship. - -“You shall not wonder long,” said Dermot. “I will go down and bring you -word.” - -Finn detained him with a laugh. “No, Dermot,” he said. “This time we -will take into consideration the heart of the lady. I shall see for -myself.” - -Finn went down to the shore, placed the point of his sword upon a rock -and sprang lightly to the deck of the vessel. - -He was amazed at the beauty of it all. The deck was as clean as a deck -could be with trimmings of silver and gold. At the end, on a seat of the -finest tapestry, sat a beautiful woman. She smiled engagingly and held -out her hand toward Finn. - -“Come here,” she said. “I wish you would tell me where I have landed.” - -“You are in the harbor of Erin,” said Finn. - -“And could you tell me where I am to find the home of a man named Finn -MacCool?” she asked. - -“You will not need to find his home, for I am Finn himself,” he -answered. - -“Then I am indeed lucky,” said the woman. “I have come to play a game -with Finn. I have heard that he never refuses to play for a sentence, -and that he honorably lives up to his agreements.” - -It flattered Finn to be praised by a beautiful woman. Like most of the -heroes of history his wisdom deserted him when dealing with a woman. It -was true that he and the other Fenians took great delight in playing a -game for a wager. These wagers were usually in the form of sentences. -That is, they would play a game and at the end the winner would set a -task for the loser to perform. Sometimes these tasks required years of -labor and much suffering, but no Fenian ever refused to carry out a -sentence imposed upon him. - -“I would willingly play if I had my board and chessmen,” said Finn. - -“I have them as good as your own,” answered the woman. To prove it she -pulled out a beautiful board and a set of silver and gold chessmen. She -had Finn sit on the seat near her to play. At the end of the first game -Finn was the winner. - -“You have beaten me,” she said with a dazzling smile. “What is the -sentence you are to pronounce?” - -Now Finn had not quite made up his mind as to what manner of woman it -was who was playing with him. She looked and dressed like a king’s -daughter, but an enchantress could assume that appearance. To prove it -he made a sentence that would prove very difficult for anyone not able -to use the arts of magic. - -“I put you under bonds,” he said, “not to eat twice in the same place or -sleep twice in the same bed until you have brought me a white horse with -a saddle and bridle of red leather for myself and each of the Fenians -with me today.” - -The woman smiled again. “Look behind you,” she said. - -Finn looked toward the shore. There were the beautiful steeds he had -ordered, handsome in their saddles and bridles of red leather. In the -lead was one much finer than the others. - -Finn knew then that he was playing with an enchantress. He wished he was -well out of his bargain, but he could not refuse to play the second game -without violating the honor of a Fenian. He felt sure that the woman -would win the next game. - -The second game was short. As Finn imagined, the woman, by the aid of -her powers, proved an easy winner. He was anxious to know what was in -store for him. - -“Let me know my sentence at once,” he demanded. - -“Perhaps you will be sorry for your impatience when you hear it,” said -the lady. - -“No trouble was ever made lighter by putting it off,” declared Finn. -“Pronounce your sentence immediately.” - -“Very well,” she answered. “I put you under bonds to go with me and obey -me in what I ask until some one throws upon you the amount of seven -shovelfuls of earth. You will be under my enchantment until that -happens.” - -Finn did not show his dismay when he heard this hard sentence. - -“It is your right to demand it,” he said. “Wait here until I give the -steeds to my men and leave orders for them to follow during my absence.” - -When he turned to look for the horses they had vanished. She saw his -look of astonishment. - -“You put me under bonds to bring the steeds, but I was not obliged to -leave them there,” said the enchantress. - -“It is true,” said Finn. “Now, since you have taken advantage of the -wording of my sentence, I shall try to evade yours. You have put me -under bonds to go with you, but you did not mention that I was not to -try to escape from them.” - -She nodded. “Of course, as a man of honor you cannot tell anyone what -will release you,” she said. “If you free yourself otherwise, I shall be -to blame.” - -Finn went ashore to tell his men of his wager and sentence. He gave -orders as to the conduct of the Fenians during his absence, then took -Dermot to the top of a hill near the shore. - -“Your eyes and ears are best in all Erin,” said Finn. “You will remain -here to watch and listen. If you hear my horn, it will mean that I am -not able to release myself by my own efforts.” - -“I will not leave until you are back or my body turns to dust and the -wind carries it away,” declared Dermot. - -Then Finn went down to the ship and sprang aboard. The watchers saw the -sails fill and the boat move swiftly out of sight over the waves. - - - II. - -It was not long before the vessel arrived in a small harbor, which Finn -recognized as the port of the White Nation. This was not very -encouraging to him, because in a battle not long before he had defeated -the king of that nation. He began to suspect that he was under -enchantment for some purpose. Still he must go with the woman because he -had pledged his word. - -When the ship stopped the woman got out and bade him follow her. On the -shore she paused, and pointing to a broad road bordered with tall trees, -said, - -“As you are a great champion in your country it is not fitting for you -to follow me into the city as a servant. You will walk up the road to -the palace while I take a shorter one and prepare a welcome for you.” - -Finn did as he was told. He was puzzled and anxious. He could not but -feel that there was something wrong with this plan. The woman had put -him under bonds to come as a servant, and now she made it appear that -this was not what she wished. Finn wished that he had been able to keep -his sword, but that the woman would not allow. Only one thought cheered -him. Dermot was watching and listening, ready to come to his assistance -at any time. - -Soon he came to the gates of the palace. A great crowd of people rushed -out as though to welcome him. The welcome was a deceit. The men pushed -against him on all sides and shoved him from one to another until he was -bruised and bleeding. Finn was the match for many ordinary men in -strength. Still, without his swords, he could not stand off a multitude. - -Thus pushing and jostling him the crowd bore him into the courtyard into -the presence of the ruler of the nation. The king sat upon a raised -platform and by his side, in the robes of a princess, was the woman who -had brought Finn to the country under sentence. - -When the king saw Finn he laughed long and loudly. - -“What ho, Finn MacCool!” roared he. “Methinks this is a fine manner for -the arrival of a champion of Erin.” - -Finn hung his head in shame. - -“My daughter asked me to name the thing I most desired in all the -world,” went on the king. “I told her the one thing necessary to my -happiness was the head of Finn MacCool. She promised to bring you here -that I might take it myself.” - -Finn’s heart sank. He felt that the hour of his death was very near. The -king stepped down from his platform, sword in hand, and swung the weapon -back and forth. - -“You would not dare do that if you would let me have a sword,” said -Finn, looking him squarely in the eye. - -The king drew back and bowed his head in thought. Probably he had hoped -to have Finn beg for his life. - -“No,” he said at length, “I will let you think over the fact that you -are in my power. It will be pleasant for you to lie and wonder how long -I will let you live.” - -He gave orders that Finn’s legs and arms be firmly tied with seven knots -on each rope so that escape would be impossible. Then he had his captive -placed in a dark dungeon. Each day he was to receive an ounce of bread -and a pint of water, no more under any consideration. For a big strong -man like Finn this was very little food. But being tied and lying in a -black hole was even more likely to take the spirit out of him. - -Each day an old woman came with his food and water, but his arms and -legs were never loosened. On the eighth day Finn said to the woman, - -“Tell the king that I beg leave to walk in the garden for an hour. I do -not ask for my head, but if he does not give me a little freedom I shall -not be able to live. For the king to take the head of a dead man would -be small glory.” - -The king yielded to this request and ordered Finn an hour of freedom. He -took no chances, however. The walk was to occur in a walled garden and -thirty armed men were to be with him every moment. - -Finn was happy over the privilege. It was not the fear of death that had -made him ask for the walk. No, he had a far better reason, as you shall -see. After he had walked a few minutes he said, - -“I am very fond of music. Have you any musical instruments with you?” - -Now the chief was very sorry to see such a mighty man a prisoner without -a chance for his life. He would gladly have had the music played, but -was obliged to confess that none of his men had instruments with them at -the time. - -Then Finn took from under his clothes a queerly shaped horn. He turned -it over and over in his hands and looked at it as though it was very -dear to him. Finally he spoke. - -“When I was at home and in charge of my men I used to play for them -quite often. I really enjoy music very much. I wonder—perhaps you and -your men might like to hear a tune?” he finished, as though the idea had -just come to him. - -“I should be very glad to hear you play,” answered the chief. - -So Finn placed the horn to his lips and played a tune of the Fenians. At -the end of the air he blew a blast that echoed from hill to hill and -made the listeners involuntarily put their hands to their ears. Then -Finn put the horn away and was willing to be tied up again. The chief -thought he had heard some wild Irish music. He little dreamed that the -call had gone out for help. - - - III. - -Dermot was asleep when Finn sounded the horn but the last note of it -waked him. He sprang to his feet with a mighty bound that sent showers -of rocks and dirt in every direction. - -“Great is the trouble of my chief!” he exclaimed. “I have never heard -such a blast from his horn.” - -He rushed to the shore, found a small boat lying there, hoisted the sail -and set off in the direction from whence the sound had come. He was -lucky enough to arrive at the same harbor in which was anchored the ship -on which Finn had been taken away. Dermot anchored his boat and started -up the broad road. - -As he went along he found men, women and children hastening in the same -direction with all the speed at their command. He asked several of them -the reason for their hurry, but all seemed too excited to answer him. -Finally Dermot grew angry, so singling out one man who seemed to be in -greater haste than the rest, he picked him up and held him off the -ground while he repeated his question. - -The man was greatly frightened, you may believe, for Dermot was taller -and broader than any man of the White Nation and must have seemed quite -like a giant to his captive. The man suddenly became very anxious to -explain. - -“You must not belong to this country, if you do not know where we are -going,” he said. - -“I am not from this country,” answered Dermot. “I am from Erin.” - -“If that is so, you must know Finn MacCool,” said the man. - -“I know him well. He is my chief,” replied Dermot. - -“Then you had better tell no one that you are from Erin,” said the man. -“If you do, you are likely to share the same fate. Finn is to be hanged -in the palace courtyard today. The gallows is ready. When he is dead, -his body is to be pulled to pieces by wild horses. You had better not -acknowledge that you know him.” - -Dermot set the fellow on his feet again. The fierce look in his eyes -caused the man to step back. - -“If you were not so small,” thundered Dermot, “you would never give such -advice to another man. Men from Erin never fail to acknowledge their -friends. Show me the way to the palace.” - -“If you will go up the hill on your right, you can see it in the valley -below,” directed the man. He lost no time in getting a safe distance -from this mighty stranger. He was so frightened that instead of going on -to the hanging, he turned around and made for his home as fast as he -could. In the whole White Nation he was the only man traveling away from -the palace. - -Dermot bounded up the hill with mighty strides. When on top he looked in -the direction of the hurrying people. Sure enough, there was the castle -with crowds spread out all around it. Dermot dashed down the hill at -full speed. - -People were crowded so closely together that no ordinary man could -possibly have squeezed through them. Each man was elbowing his neighbor -so that he might get close enough to see the death of this great Fenian -chief. Dermot could have cut his way through with his sword, but it was -one of the rules of the Fenians not to harm the common people of a -nation. He cleared his way by taking several in his right hand and -several in his left and putting them behind him. Then he stepped into -the opening and repeated the process until he reached the courtyard. He -walked past the gallows and up to the pole of combat before the palace. -This he struck a mighty blow with his sword. - -The king came to his window and looked out in alarm. - -“Who struck that blow?” he asked. “It must have been an enemy.” - -If the trouble had not been so serious, Dermot might have laughed at -this silly remark. But he was in no humor for laughter. - -“If that sounded like the blow of a friend,” he said, “listen to this.” - -Once more he swung his sword against the pole. This time his blow was so -strong that the pole broke into splinters, which showered over the heads -of the people. - -“What do you want?” whined the king, who was, and always had been, a -fearful coward. - -“I want to see my chief, Finn MacCool, or to fight for him,” announced -Dermot. - -“See him you shall not,” declared the king, keeping well in the -protection of his castle. “You are at liberty to fight for him.” - -“Very well,” answered Dermot. “Send out seven hundred of your best men -on my right hand, seven hundred on my left, seven hundred at my back and -as many as you wish in front of me.” - -“How many?” demanded the startled king, drawing still further back into -his palace. - -Dermot repeated his demand. You must remember that Dermot was the son of -a god and could not be wounded. It is no wonder the king thought he had -misunderstood. It was too good a chance to let go by. The king sent out -the men requested, feeling sure that he would soon be rid of this -fellow, who had made splinters of the combat pole. - -But the king’s men were no match for Dermot even when they pressed -against him in such numbers. By nightfall not a man had touched him -while hundreds of the warriors of the White Nation were wounded or dead. -With the setting of the sun, Dermot put up his sword and called out to -the king, - -“Do I get shelter for the night?” - -It was customary in those days to stop fighting when the sun went down. -It was also the custom to furnish food and a bed to a hero who was -making a trial at arms. The king pointed to a long, low house a short -distance from the courtyard. - -“Go in there,” he called. “You are welcome to what shelter you find.” - - - IV. - -Dermot was tired from his combat. He went to the house, opened the door -and walked in. To his surprise he found himself surrounded by hundreds -of little men, reaching no higher than his knee. They were wild, shaggy -little fellows, kept by the king to kill people he did not like. Though -not strong singly, they were there in such numbers that they could cover -a man like ants and crush the life out of him. - -When Dermot had entered, the little men shut the door and barred it. -Then they began covering the windows and filling up the chinks between -the logs. - -“Why are you going to such trouble?” asked Dermot. The antics of the -little fellows amused him. He never thought of treachery on the part of -the king. - -“We fear you may escape,” answered one of the men. “It is our duty to -eat you.” - -Poor foolish little fellows! They imagined a mighty hero like Dermot -could creep through a hole large enough to let one of them through. - -Dermot’s amusement turned to anger. By all the laws of hospitality he -was entitled to a place to rest quietly until time for the next day’s -combat. The king would have lasted only a few minutes if Dermot could -have laid a hand on him when he discovered the foul scheme. The little -men rushed at him by the hundreds. There was little use of using a sword -against such small enemies. Dermot caught up the nearest by the ankles -and used him as a club to beat down the others. - -Soon there were no little savages left except one very small fellow in -the corner. - -“Spare me, great champion,” he called in a shrill, high voice. “If you -give me my life there is not a place to which you will go but I will be -with you. I will be a good servant to you.” - -“No man ever asked for his life but I granted it,” said Dermot. - -He sat down on a bench and looked about him. “Have you any food?” he -asked. - -“Nothing,” said the small chief, for he was the leader of the small men. -“We never have food except the people the king sends us to eat. If you -will go out and walk forty paces to your right, you will come to the -king’s bakery. There you should be able to get some loaves.” - -Dermot followed directions and found the king’s baker just closing up -for the night. - -“Give me two loaves of bread,” demanded Dermot. - -The baker let out a scream of rage. “Ruffian,” he yelled. “Do you dare -ask me for bread after the way you treated our soldiers today? Get out -of here this minute.” - -The little man was dancing with rage. Dermot let out a roar of laughter. -He picked up the baker and held him at arms’ length. “You are a nimble -dancer,” he said. “I shall give you a place to dance.” - -Opening the oven, now cool enough so that it would not injure him, -Dermot put the baker inside and shut the door. He helped himself to what -bread he wanted while the baker kept up an excited dancing, accompanied -by a steady pounding on the oven door. - -But Dermot was not content to live on bread alone. He asked the small -chief where he might get some meat. - -“Instead of turning to the right, as you did when you went to the -bakery, turn to the left and go the same distance in that direction. -That will bring you to the king’s butcher, where you should be able to -get plenty of meat.” - -Dermot did as he was advised and found the man in his shop. He was a -big, red-faced fellow, smeared from head to foot with the blood of the -last animal he had killed. - -“I want some meat for my supper,” said Dermot. - -The butcher flew into a fine rage and brandished his knife. “Get out of -here, you ruffian from Erin!” he shouted. “It was you who wounded so -many of our people today. Get away before I cut out your heart.” - -The butcher made a dash at Dermot. The latter was merely amused by the -rage of the man. He laughed loudly, took away the knife with one hand, -while with the other he caught the butcher by the belt and lifted him -off the floor. A meat hook on the wall was very handy. Dermot hooked the -belt of the butcher over that and left him hanging there, a funny sight -as he kicked and yelled. With the meat Dermot got from the shop, and the -bread, he and the small chief had a hearty supper. - -The next day he again presented himself before the king. - -“What do you want today?” asked the ruler of the White Nation. - -“I want to see my chief, Finn MacCool, or to fight for him,” said -Dermot. - -“Fight you shall,” declared the king. “You shall not see him.” - -Then the king ordered sent out double the number of men that had faced -the champion the day before. He still had hopes that he could overpower -Dermot by numbers. But this battle was but a second like the one of the -day before. Dermot could not be wounded, while the slaughter of the -king’s soldiers was something terrible. With the setting of the sun the -combat was over, and Dermot went back to the long house to eat the -supper the small chief had prepared for him, and to rest after his hard -day. - - - V. - -Next morning Dermot went again to the palace and made the same demand as -on the two previous days. This time the king did not send out his forces -to battle. Even he could see that he was wasting his soldiers without -hope of defeating this new champion. Still he did not wish to give up -Finn MacCool. His soldiers were not strong enough, the small men could -not eat this man, but the king had other schemes to try before he gave -up. Everyone knew the fondness of the Fenians for attempting feats of -strength or adventure. The king decided to try that on Dermot, so that -he could gain time, even if he did not get rid of this nuisance. - -In the land of the White Nation there lived an enormous fellow known as -the Red Giant. His choicest possession was a beautiful hound, which he -kept near him at all times. When he went out walking, he had the dog -with him on the end of a chain of solid gold. When he was at home he -fastened the chain to the wall and kept the dog beside him. - -There was a strange thing about this Red Giant. He had only one eye and -that was in one side of his head, just above his ear. Because of this, -he could see only what happened on one side of him. He kept the hound to -warn him if anyone approached on the other side. - -Though this man was the strongest person in the White Nation, he had no -use for the king and would not serve him. The monarch resolved to get -his aid by trickery. - -“I will not let you see Finn MacCool,” he told Dermot, “until you have -brought to this courtyard the hound and the golden chain.” - -“Where can I find it?” asked Dermot. - -“The world is wide,” answered the king. “Finding it is part of the -task.” - -“No man can give me a task I will not try to accomplish,” said Dermot. -“There is but one thing I demand. If I go after this hound, you must -pledge yourself that Finn is to be taken out of the dungeon and given a -better room, with plenty of food to eat.” - -This request did not please the king. He did not wish to grant Finn any -favors, but he was afraid Dermot would not go to the Red Giant if he did -not agree. He gave a grudging consent. - -Poor Dermot! He went to the long house in despair. How was he to bring -back something when he did not know where to look for it, and when there -was no one in the country to give him directions? Yet, if he did not -complete the task, he would lose his head and Finn would have to die. He -sat down in the long house and buried his face in his hands. - -“What is troubling you, master?” asked the small chief. - -Dermot sighed. “Nothing that you can help me with,” he said. - -“I’ll wager that you have been sent to bring the hound and the golden -chain,” said the chief. - -Dermot sat up in surprise. “How did you know that?” he demanded. - -“Because the hound is kept by the Red Giant, and the king has rid -himself of many a good man by sending him after that hound,” said the -little fellow. - -“Do you know where I can find him?” asked Dermot. - -“I can lead you to the place and show you how to get the hound,” -declared the chief. - -The two set out immediately and traveled all day through a heavy forest. -In the evening they came to the gate of an immense stone castle. There -the chief stopped Dermot. - -“In there lives the Red Giant,” he said. “At this hour he has had his -meal and is sleeping beside the table in the center of the castle.” - -Then the chief went on to explain that the giant had but one eye, which -faced the main door to see if anyone entered. He took from his pocket a -little cake and passed it to Dermot. - -“Take this cake,” he said. “Do not go in at the main door but follow the -corridor around and come to the small opening at the other side of the -room. Throw this cake to the dog, and when he has eaten it pick him up -and bring him with you. If you are quiet the giant will never know you -have been in there.” - -Dermot thanked his helper and went into the castle. Everything happened -just as the small chief had promised. The task was so easy that he was -back in five minutes with the hound under his arm. The two set off for -the palace with their prize. - -But Dermot was not happy. He kept going slowly and more slowly, until -finally he stopped all together. - -“What is the matter?” asked the chief. - -“I can’t help thinking of the dirty trick I played on the Red Giant,” -answered Dermot. - -“How is that?” - -“Like a thief I took away his hound without giving him a chance to fight -for it,” said Dermot. - -“It was the hound you went for, not a contest, and bringing him back -will give you sight of Finn MacCool,” argued the chief. “Let us hurry.” - -But Dermot would not go. “I’d think a man a fine champion if he sneaked -in and took something of mine,” he said. “Not even for Finn will I do -such a thing. I am going back and take the hound away from the giant as -a champion should.” - -No argument of the small chief did any good. Back they went to the -castle and again the small chief stayed outside. - -“Since you are bent on being foolish, I will give you some more advice,” -said the little fellow. “The giant is strongest on his stone floor. Much -of his strength leaves him when he is on soft earth.” - -“I thank you for your help,” said Dermot. - -He slipped in quietly and fastened the hound to the wall. Then he went -around to the main door and stepped into the room. Instantly the giant -saw him and sprang to his feet. - -“What do you want?” he roared. - -“Your hound and your golden chain,” answered Dermot. - -“Well, you’ll not get him from me,” roared the giant. He made a rush at -Dermot and grappled with him. - -Now the Red Giant was a big man in the White Nation, but you must -remember that Dermot was a big man, too. It turned out that they were -about equal in strength. At the first rush of the giant, both men went -down on the floor where they struggled desperately. Back and forth they -rolled, with Dermot putting every bit of his strength into the effort to -get them out on the ground. Finally, with a mighty heave, he succeeded -in causing them both to roll out of the castle door. - -As soon as they struck the soft earth Dermot was the stronger. He picked -up the Red Giant and drove him into the earth like a post, until only -his head was above ground. - -“Spare me, man of Erin,” pleaded the Red Giant. “I concede that you are -the better man, and that you are entitled to the hound.” - -Dermot never took advantage of a man who asked for mercy. He pulled the -giant out of the earth and set him upon his feet. From that moment the -Red Giant was his friend. He invited Dermot and the small chief into the -castle and set out food and drink for them. In the morning he willingly -gave up the hound and bade them a hearty farewell. - - - VI. - -Dermot went before the king the next morning. You can guess that the -monarch was far from overjoyed at seeing him. He had felt sure that the -troublesome champion would never bother him again. - -“Well, have you the hound with the golden chain?” he asked, trying to -hide his disappointment. - -“You see them before you,” answered Dermot. - -“Hand them over to me,” demanded the king. - -That was just what Dermot had no intention of doing. He felt sorry for -the Red Giant, because the man had put up a good fight and had been his -friend after the struggle was over. Moreover, he felt that the king had -no right to the hound. - -“That I will not do,” declared Dermot. - -The king’s wicked little eyes lit up with pleasure. “Then, by the terms -of the trial, you forfeit your head,” he said. - -“You are wrong,” said Dermot. “The words of the trial were, ‘until you -have brought to the courtyard the hound with the golden chain.’ I have -carried out the command of the trial; now I am going to take the hound -back to the Red Giant, who has more right and more need of him than any -of us.” - -The king knew he was caught by the terms of his own sentence. He pounded -the arms of his throne in anger, but he did not dare deny the terms he -had pronounced. - -“Well,” demanded Dermot, “do I get to see my chief, Finn MacCool?” - -“You do not,” answered the king. “I did not say that bringing the hound -was the only trial you would have to accomplish. You shall not see your -chief until you bring me the true story of the Sorrowful Knight.” - -Dermot was willing to try another test. He believed that the king was -honest in saying he meant to have two trials before releasing Finn. - -“Where can I find this man?” he asked. - -“That is for you to find out,” said the king. - -Dermot left the palace and went to the long house. Once more he felt -discouraged, but once more the small chief came to his aid. - -“I’ll wager you have been sent to get the story of the Sorrowful -Knight,” he said. - -“How did you guess it?” asked Dermot. - -“Because that is the most dangerous task the king could possibly think -of. The quest will lead you into the land of enchantment. No one has -ever heard the story, and few have ever reached the castle.” - -“Nevertheless I must go,” said Dermot. “All I need is some one to show -me the way.” - -“I can do that easily,” answered the little fellow. - -Dermot looked at him in admiration. “I shall never cease to be thankful -that I spared your life,” he said. “We shall start immediately, and on -the way we shall leave with the Red Giant his hound and golden chain.” - - - VII. - -The Red Giant greeted them warmly. Never before had he met a man who was -stronger than he, so that made him respect Dermot; but he respected him -still more for his honesty, when he found that the hound was to be -returned to him. - -“Are you on another quest, or have you rescued your chief?” asked the -giant. - -“I am on a most difficult errand,” explained Dermot. “I must get the -story of the Sorrowful Knight before I may see Finn MacCool.” - -The Red Giant slapped his knee a resounding whack. - -“You are right,” he said. “It is difficult! It would be impossible but -for the fact that you have been fair with me. I once did a service for -the Sorrowful Knight. He swore that nothing I should ever ask him would -be refused. Tomorrow I shall go with you, and my request shall be in -your interest.” - -You may be sure that Dermot was glad he had not taken a thief’s -advantage of the giant when he had had the opportunity. That night, with -the small chief, he and the Red Giant spent the time eating, drinking -and telling stories. - -The journey to the land of the Sorrowful Knight, under the guidance of -the Red Giant, was a short one. They found the castle set deep in a -thick wood. No sound came from it. The branches of the trees drooped in -sadness. Even the cattle grazing in the field seemed to crop the grass -mournfully. - -The guard at the gate wiped the tears from his eyes before he asked them -the nature of their errand. When he learned that they wished to see the -Sorrowful Knight, he led them through a quiet courtyard into a dark and -dismal chamber in the heart of the castle. - -At first Dermot could see nothing. When his eyes became accustomed to -the darkness, he saw that the room was draped in black, and that the -furniture was the color of night. At the table in the center of the room -sat a man, his head leaning on his hand, his elbow on the table. He -appeared to be asleep, nor did he awaken when the three entered the -room. He must have been at the table a long time. Where his elbow rested -upon it, a deep groove had been worn, and into it, even in his sleep, -the tears dropped steadily. - -The Red Giant took him by the shoulder and spoke to him. The man -straightened up slowly. - -“Why do you come here to interrupt my grieving?” he asked. - -“You promised many years ago that you would grant any request I would -make,” said the Red Giant. “I have come to test your promise.” - -The Sorrowful Knight sighed heavily. “What is your request?” he asked. - -“You are to tell to Dermot of the Fenians the reason for your sorrow,” -said the giant. - -Once more the knight sighed, and the tears flowed more freely down his -cheeks. - -“I feared your request would be that,” he said. “Since I promised you on -my honor, I must tell the story, but no other living man has heard it.” - -The Sorrowful Knight had dinner served for his guests with a flickering -candle for light. Most people would have had a small appetite in such -gloomy surroundings, but Dermot and his friends were hungry enough to -forget about it. They did full justice to the meal. When each had -satisfied his hunger the knight began: - -“It was twenty-one years ago that the sorrow came to me. I lived in this -castle as happily as any man of the kingdom. Anyone would have been -proud of the twelve handsome young men I called my sons. Every place I -went my boys were with me. - -“On the morning of the first of May it was our custom to hunt the deer -together. Of course, we hunted on many days of the spring, but the May -day was always our first deer hunt. On the morning of which I speak we -started up a deer without horns and gave chase. - -“It was a fleeter animal than any we had ever followed before. All day -long we kept after her until toward evening we saw her disappear into a -cave. We thought we had her trapped and followed swiftly. Imagine our -surprise when we found ourselves not in a cave at all, but in a new -country, at the gate of a large castle. - -“The deer was nowhere in sight. We were too far from home to return that -night, so we decided to ask for shelter from the lord of the castle. -This was readily granted. - -“We were taken into a big banquet hall. Along one side of the room, over -huge fires, were twelve kettles of scalding water. In front of each -kettle was the carcass of a wild boar. The master of the castle -apologized for not having supper cooked and asked if any of us could -prepare the boars for roasting. We said we could and set to work. - -“But, though we dipped the animals in the scalding water, we could not -remove a single bristle. The scalding seemed to make them stick more -tightly. We could do nothing toward preparing the meat for supper. - -“Then the master called in a small servant and told him to get the -animals ready. This man lined up the twelve boars, blew upon them -through a small tube, and instantly every bristle disappeared. I knew -then that we were in the land of enchantment. - -“We had all that we could eat, and after the meal the lord of the castle -asked me if my sons would be willing to show their strength for our -amusement. I told him they would. He ordered in twelve small men with a -long chain and bade my sons pull it away from them. This seemed like an -easy task. But when my sons took hold of the chain they could not move -the small men an inch. Soon the small men pulled my sons toward them -with a quick jerk and threw the slackened part about the necks of my -boys. The instant the chain touched my sons they became twelve stones.” - -At this point the tears of the Sorrowful Knight stopped his words. His -listeners had to wait until he had mastered his grief before he could go -on. - -“When I saw my twelve noble sons thus changed before my eyes, I was -filled with the great grief which has never left me. The lord of the -castle had me thrown out into the night, and it was with difficulty that -I found my way back to my home. Since then I never have left my castle. - -“Each year, on May day, the deer comes to the gate and calls, ‘Here is -the deer, but where are the hunters to follow it?’ Tomorrow she will -come again, but no one here has heart for the chase. - -“That, then, is my story. I ask you if any man could be happy with such -a sorrow in his life?” - -Dermot had listened with rising pity that soon turned into anger. He -rose abruptly to his feet. - -“I have but been sent to get your story, but no true Fenian is willing -to let wickedness go unpunished. If you will go with me, there will be -men to follow the deer tomorrow, and the sun shall not set before I have -tried my strength against the enchantment of the lord of that castle.” - -For the first time in twenty-one years the Sorrowful Knight no longer -wept. He announced that he would go the next morning. The small chief -and the Red Giant also promised to take part in the chase of the deer. - -In the morning the deer came to the gate and called as was her custom, -“Here is the deer, but where are the hunters to follow it?” - -The four men had been waiting and now they set after her at full speed. -All day long they followed her, and in the evening she approached a cave -in the hillside. - -“That is where she will disappear!” shouted the knight. - -Dermot sped after her. Now, as you know, there was no one in Erin who -could equal him in a race. He rapidly caught up with the deer and seized -her by the hind leg, just as she reached the mouth of the cave. -Instantly the deer disappeared, and in her place was a hideous old -witch, with straggly gray hair and long crooked teeth. Dermot was so -startled that he let go his hold. The witch ran screaming into the cave. - -The men followed and came out at the gate of the castle just as the -knight had done years before. When they knocked for admission, they were -met by the master, who seemed greatly surprised to see the Sorrowful -Knight. - -“I thought you had enough of this place when you were here before,” he -said. - -Dermot did the answering. “He comes with me,” he said. “I could not have -enough of your castle, because this is the first time I have ever been -here.” - -The master invited them into the room where waited the twelve kettles of -water and the twelve boars. - -“Have you a man among you who can prepare the supper?” asked the master. - -“We have,” said Dermot. “And it is a long time since you had one as -good. We have also a man who will get the meat.” - -Dermot went out into the forest and brought in enough meat for the meal. -He knew better than to try to prepare the enchanted boars. The ones he -had killed, he dressed with his sword and soon had them cooked. The -master made no comments, but ate with the others. - -When the meal was over the lord of the castle addressed the knight. - -“Have you a man among you who can show us a little action for our -amusement?” - -Once more Dermot did the answering. “He has. Send in the same twelve -small men you used against his sons and we will show you enough action -to satisfy you.” - -The small men brought in the chain and passed one end to Dermot, who -braced his feet against the rocks on the floor. The small men pulled as -hard as they could, but not a link of slack chain could they get. All at -once Dermot jerked them toward him, looped the chain over their necks -and snapped off the twelve heads. - -He then held out the end of the chain to the master and said, “Perhaps -you would like to show us a little action yourself?” - -The lord of the castle was seized with a fit of trembling at the thought -of pulling against this terrible Fenian. He dropped to his knees and -began to beg for his life. - -“Spare me, and I will bring back the knight’s twelve sons,” he cried. - -“That is all I could ask of you,” said Dermot. - -The frightened enchanter took his rod and touched each of the twelve -blocks of stone along the wall. Instantly the twelve sons of the knight -were with them, as strong and hearty as ever. - -You can imagine how the father felt over this change. He was no longer -the Sorrowful Knight. - -They wasted no time in leaving the enchanter’s palace and in returning -to the castle of the man who was now the Glad Knight. From there Dermot -and his friends went on to the home of the Red Giant, and then on to the -king of the White Nation. Dermot was happy in being able to rescue the -twelve young men, but he was far happier in the thought that he was now -to see Finn MacCool. - - IX. - -On his return Dermot presented himself at the palace. Though the wicked -old king was surprised to see him again, he endeavored not to show it. - -“Well, have you the story of the Sorrowful Knight?” he asked. - -“I have,” said Dermot. “Are you ready to hear it?” - -Then he told the king the story, just as it had been told to him. I -don’t believe that he mentioned the rescue of the twelve sons, because -that was not in his sentence, and he was anxious to be through with the -task and rescue Finn. At the end of the story he said: - -“Now I have done what you asked. Do I get to see my chief?” - -“You do not,” answered the king. “You shall not see him until you get me -the story of the Lad of True Tales.” - -Dermot’s anger flamed up. For the first time he saw that the king was -not honest in his sentences, and that he was merely setting tasks to put -him off, until he could find something that would do away with him -forever. - -“Oh, is that so?” he asked. “You should have spoken about it sooner. I -have worn out all the leather I am going to use, tramping over the rocks -of your country. I am going to let you find out how sharp some of those -stones are.” - -He picked up the treacherous king and tossed him out of the upper window -of the palace to the rocks below. The king of the White Nation would -never set another task for any man. - -Then Dermot searched high and low for Finn. Everyone got out of his way, -but still he could not find his chief. When he was almost in despair, he -met an old woman. - -“I will lead you to Finn,” she said. “It is I who have been caring for -him.” - -She did as she promised. Dermot was so happy on seeing Finn that he -wanted to embrace him. Finn pushed him away. - -Dermot’s feelings were hurt. “If any man had gone through what I have to -rescue me, I would not seem ungrateful,” he said. - -“It is not ingratitude,” said Finn. “My thumb tells me that we have -little time to lose. The king’s daughter has gone off to enchant another -victim. We must get away while she is gone.” - -The two friends hastened to the shore, taking what food they could on -the way. Then they raised the sails and pointed the boat toward Erin. -Finn placed Dermot in the stern to watch, while he managed the boat. -Every few minutes he would say, “Do you see anything?” Dermot would -answer, “I see nothing but waves and sky.” - -They were nearing the shores of Erin when Finn asked the question again. - -“I see a bird that looks like an eagle,” said Dermot. - -“Then we are lost,” cried Finn. “She is following.” - -“Is there no way to release you?” asked Dermot. - -“There is,” answered Finn, “but I am in honor bound not to tell you of -it.” - -The boat sped swiftly on, with the bird ever gaining. When near the -land, the two champions sprang ashore, just as the bird turned the boat -over and perched upon the hull. She saw them on the land and flew after -them. The instant she struck the earth she became a woman. Rushing up to -Finn she threw her arms around his neck. - -“Come back with me and be my husband,” she begged. “You shall be the -king of the White Nation.” - -It made Dermot angry to see the actions of the woman who had caused them -both so much trouble. He swung his sword against the hillside in anger. -So great was the blow that a valley appeared where the sword struck. A -great shower of dirt, far more than the seven shovelfuls, fell over Finn -and the woman. - -Finn put the enchantress from him. “I thank you, Dermot,” he said. “You -have released me from her bonds.” - -The woman gave a cry of rage, became an eagle once more and flew out -over the ocean. Finn and Dermot hastened to join the Fenians. - - - - - THE WORTHLESS SERVANT - - -One day Finn and his companions, while out hunting, had stopped to cook -some of the game. Dermot, Conan and several other Fenians were in the -party. The horses had been put into an inclosure so that they might feed -while the men rested. It was during the meal that the guard, who had -been put upon a nearby hill to watch for the approach of an enemy, came -rushing up with the news that a great giant was coming toward them from -the south. The man had hardly time to tell the news when the giant, -himself, appeared. - -He was tall and ungainly, with joints that bent outward at each step, as -though they had been fastened together with strings. He was dressed in -the skins of animals, with the hairy side out. Covering his face was a -growth of the same colored hair, so it was difficult to tell where the -garments left off and the skin began. - -His face seemed formed no more firmly than his body. His jaw hung -loosely, showing a ragged set of huge teeth. One eye was higher than the -other. His nose was as rough as a ridge of hills. In one hand he held a -huge club, the end of which cut deep furrows in the earth as he dragged -it along. From the other hand was a leading thong attached to the halter -of a horse. - -This animal was no better favored than the master. Its joints seemed -just as loosely hung together. Its coat was the color of the soot from a -chimney. Its backbone was like a knotted clothesline with a black rug -hung over it. When the animal walked, its legs bent outward at the -center, while its scraggly tail and many cornered head swayed from side -to side in opposite directions. - -When the giant saw the Fenians he dropped the thong and approached by -himself. The animal let its head drop dejectedly, and its legs bowed -outward like the hoops of a barrel. It seemed about to fall to pieces. - -“I am looking for Finn MacCool,” growled the giant. - -Finn rose and came toward him. “I am he whom you seek,” he said. - -“I have come to take service with you,” said the giant. - -“If you need work, go prop up your horse,” shouted Conan. The Fenians -laughed loudly. - -“I do not like the behavior of your men,” said the giant, “yet do I -still seek service. I have heard that you are a good master, and that -you will pay a man whatever he asks.” - -“I have never refused service to any man who asked it, nor have I ever -refused to give a servant any reasonable wage requested,” said Finn. - -“Then I would serve you,” declared the giant. “I am known as the -Worthless Servant because I never give my master what he pays for. I -always fail to do any task he sets me, and what I do is never done well. -Moreover, I eat more than any two men and grumble unceasingly about the -way I am treated.” - -“You give yourself a bad name,” said Finn with a laugh. “Nevertheless, -you have asked for service, so I shall give it to you.” - -“Then may I turn my horse into the pasture with the others?” asked the -giant. - -Finn gave his permission and went back to his meal. The giant opened the -gate of the inclosure, took off the halter and let the animal loose. -That done, he came over to the table and proceeded to eat everything -within reach. - -The decrepit old horse changed entirely when its master left it. No -longer was it mild and sleepy. It kicked its heels high in the air, let -out a snort and proceeded to bite and kick every animal it could reach. -These other horses could make no stand against the newcomer, nor could -they seem to get away from it. At last the giant’s horse had injured all -the animals except the one belonging to Conan. It was viciously pursuing -this one. - -“Look here,” roared Conan. “Go tie up that ugly brute before it injures -my horse.” - -The giant kept on eating. “There’s the halter,” he said between bites. -“If you do not like the way he acts, go tie him yourself.” - -Conan needed no second invitation. He ran into the pasture and put the -halter on the great beast. As soon as it was caught, the animal resumed -its dejected pose. Conan pulled and pulled with all his might, but he -exerted himself without result. The horse would not move. The other -Fenians gathered around and offered much advice and many taunts. - -“Shame on you, Conan,” cried one. “A Fenian and unable to lead one -little horse!” - -“Take him by the tail,” shouted another. “Perhaps it travels the other -way.” - -“Better practice on a sheep until you grow up,” came from a third. - -Conan lost his temper. He began abusing the men who were joking him, -saying all the cutting things he could think of. His anger extended to -the horse. He began beating it with a heavy club. Still the animal stood -looking dejectedly at the ground and giving no sign that it felt the -blows. - -Fergus True Lips, the poet of the Fenians, now gave some advice. - -“Many a horse will not go when pulled by the halter,” he said. “Try -riding him.” - -Conan sprang to the back of the horse and again tried to get it to move. -This method proved no better than the other. Again Fergus made a -suggestion. - -“He is used to the weight of a heavier man than you. Let more Fenians -get upon his back until the combined weight shall equal that of the -giant.” - -This advice the Fenians were glad to follow. One after another climbed -up until fourteen were astride that sharp backbone. Still the animal -would not move. - -The Fenians were enjoying the sport. Those on the back of the animal -called out jibes to those on the ground, while these made jokes at the -expense of the mounted ones. - -In the meantime the giant had finished eating all the food on the table. -He now approached Finn in great anger. - -“It seems to me that the stories I have heard of your justice were all -false,” he growled. - -“What makes you think so?” asked Finn. - -“You stand by and see your men abusing my horse, yet you do nothing to -stop them,” he complained. - -“I am sure they but keep your horse from injuring their own animals,” -said Finn. - -“I am through with your service,” declared the giant. “If I had never -come at all, still would I have been here too long. Give me my wages and -let me go.” - -“What wages can you expect when you have just come?” asked Finn. “All -you have done is to eat a meal at my expense.” - -“Again I see that the stories told of you are not true,” said the giant. -“You promised to give me what wages I asked and now you refuse.” - -“You have asked no wages,” cried Finn, becoming angry at the -unreasonable request. “You but trifle with me when you ask pay for -eating my food.” - -“Since I can get no pay, I shall leave without it. Perhaps your men will -give me my wages more willingly.” - -He strode off toward the sea, taking long but shuffling steps. The horse -moved after him, slowly at first, but with ever increasing speed. The -Fenians were still on his back. - -“Get off!” cried Fergus. The men tried desperately, but they were -fastened as tight as if they had grown there. - -“Is there no man among you who will stop this beast?” shouted Conan, -when he found that they were moving away from the Fenian camp. - -A new member of the band ran after the animal and seized it by the tail. -Instead of stopping it, he, too, came under the enchantment and could -not let go. - -The giant suddenly lost all his awkwardness. He began to run with the -speed of the wind. The horse also became full of life and fleet of foot. - -“I charge you, Finn,” called Conan, “not to take any rest until you have -rescued us.” - -Before the startled Fenians could realize what had happened, the giant -and the horse were at the edge of the sea. They entered the water at -full speed. As they advanced, the waves parted for them and closed again -after they had passed. - -Thus disappeared the Worthless Servant and the fifteen Fenians he had -taken for his wages. - - - II. - -As soon as they had gone, Finn began preparations to go to their rescue. -He asked Fergus for advice as to where they might find a suitable ship. -Fergus replied that there was one about five miles distant. Finn called -Dermot and a small body of the bravest of his men together and told them -that they were to accompany him. All were delighted to go upon such an -adventure. - -The party had gone but a short distance when they met two handsome young -men, dressed in green garments and without any weapons of war. One -carried a light wand in his hand. - -“We crave to enter thy service, O Finn,” said the elder of the two. - -“Very well,” answered Finn. “We are on a difficult errand and need only -men of experience, but you may join the Fenians in our rear.” - -“It is to go with you that we seek service,” said the stranger. - -“Have you any special talents that would be of value to us on a -difficult adventure?” asked Finn. - -“I can be of great service, if your adventure takes you upon the sea,” -replied the elder. “I am called Quick-Builder. If you cover your heads -for the space of a minute I can cause the harbor to be filled with ships -of every description. After you have selected the one you wish, all the -others will disappear.” - -“That would be a great help to us now,” said Finn. “And what can you -do?” he asked the younger. - -“I am called Keen-Sight,” the boy replied. “I can follow any track on -land, air or water. I can trace the eagle to her nest or the fish upon -his journey.” - -“Such a talent will be of great assistance,” said Finn. “I take you both -into my service. Quick-Builder, produce your ships.” - -The Fenians obeyed the command to cover their heads. They heard the -sound of the young man’s wand strike on wood. Then they looked when he -bade them. They were greatly astonished to find that he had done what he -claimed. Finn chose the boat which suited his needs. He ordered his men -to get on board and take the oars. No sooner were they on this ship than -every other one disappeared. - -Then the lad, Keen-Sight, took his place in the prow of the boat and -called directions to the steersman. They sped on over the ocean until -they were stopped by a high precipice of rock, seemingly the edge of a -great island. - -“Here ends the track,” announced Keen-Sight. - -“No horse could have climbed that cliff,” declared Fergus. - -“No,” answered Finn. “But a horse could pass under it. Noted you not the -way the waves parted for the giant and his horse? I greatly believe that -we are dealing with the subjects of King Under the Waves.” - -“If that is so, it would seem to be our duty to get on shore and see -where we may go,” said Fergus. - -“If any man can climb that cliff it is Dermot,” declared Finn. - -Dermot looked at the face of the precipice and noted a rocky shelf about -half way up. From that on there seemed to be footholds. - -“I think I can scale it,” he said. - -He had the Fenians clear off the length of the deck. Then taking his -sword and holding it in front of him like a pole, he ran from stern to -prow. He used the sword as a lever and sprang lightly to the rocky -shelf. The Fenians set up a cheer at the splendid feat. Dermot waved to -them and soon disappeared from view. - -Once over the rocks he found himself in a pleasant country of trees and -little brooks. He could see neither houses nor people. He walked on and -on without seeing a living thing. At last, tired and thirsty, he stopped -to drink from a well of clear water beside the road. As he touched his -lips to the water a man appeared beside him. - -“How dare you drink from my well?” he demanded. - -“I could see no harm in taking a drink from an open well,” said Dermot. - -“Then you are little better than a thief,” declared the newcomer. - -“You are very uncivil to say so,” answered Dermot. “I shall not leave -this place until I have had satisfaction for that insult.” - -He grappled with the man and wrestled with him for a decision. When it -seemed that he must win the victory, the man rolled into the well and -disappeared. - -The next day the same thing happened. The same man appeared, the same -struggle was gone through with, and once more he disappeared in the -waters of the well. Dermot had no intention of leaving until he had -beaten this fellow. On the third day, when the time for disappearance -came, Dermot clung to him and went into the water with him. - -Judge to his surprise to find himself not in a well at all, but in a -beautiful country with wealth and plenty on every side. Dermot did not -have to guess where he was. Every Fenian had heard of this land, but no -mortal had ever entered it before. He was in the Land Under the Waves. -The well had been the entrance. - -When Dermot released his hold on the man with whom he had been -struggling, the fellow lost no time in getting away. With the start he -got by his quickness he soon disappeared among the trees. Dermot had to -go on alone. Before long he found himself before a beautiful castle. At -the gate was a guard of seven warriors on either side. The Fenian had -only time to draw his sword before they all set upon him. - -But these under-sea champions were no match for him either in strength -or quickness. He quickly defeated the fourteen guards and many others -who came out of the castle to their aid. In the evening, tired from his -struggle with the man at the well, and his fighting at the castle gate, -he went into the woods and was soon sound asleep. - -He was awakened by the touch of a hand on his shoulder. He quickly -sprang to his feet, his hand on his sword, to face this newcomer. It was -a knight in armor, fully equipped with weapons, but the smile on his -face showed that he had not come for fighting. - -“Do not draw your sword, for I am a friend,” he said. “Come with me so -that you may have food and a better and more comfortable bed.” - -“I would be foolish did I refuse such an offer,” replied Dermot. “Lead -the way and I will follow.” - -The knight led him into a small castle some distance away and took him -into the banquet hall, where plenty of food and drink was still on the -table. Thirty other knights rested on their beds in the room, and some -rose on the entrance of the Fenian. One was the man who had wrestled -with Dermot. - -“You may be a friend, but you have brought me to an enemy,” he said to -his guide. - -“He is not your enemy,” replied the knight. “This man was the messenger -I sent to bring you here.” - -Dermot thought back over the three days of wrestling and of the way the -man had left him to face the guards of the castle. - -“I should say that your messenger had some rather rough and -unsatisfactory methods,” said Dermot. “If he was to lead me here, why -did he not tell me so?” - -The knight smiled. “I understand your surprise. It was necessary for him -to do just as he did, for it is only possible to enter the Land Under -the Sea in the manner in which you came. But sit down and eat. I shall -explain as you satisfy your hunger.” - -Dermot needed no second invitation. The knight sat down at the table -with him while the others went back to their couches. - -“I am known as the Knight of Valor,” his host began. “And I am the -rightful ruler of this land. By a trick my brother has seized the -kingdom and is reigning in my stead. All he has left me is this small -castle and the thirty knights whom you see about you. When I heard that -Dermot of the Fenians had landed on the island, I determined to enlist -your help. I sent one of my men to the well to wait for you. The result -you know.” - -“If I was to be brought here to help you, why was I left alone to face -that castle guard?” asked Dermot. - -“That is a fair question,” answered the knight. “You see, I had heard -great tales of your strength, but I did not know if it was greater than -that of the men of our land. That castle is the stronghold of my -brother, and those were his men. Your combat with them showed me that if -you will help us, we can wrest the kingdom from his wicked hands. My -people are suffering from my brother’s rule; will you help me to free -them?” - -“You have been fair with me,” answered Dermot. “I will help you. I will -not hold it against you that your guide deserted me before the castle, -since that combat leaves us fewer men to meet tomorrow.” - -“Your willingness affords me great pleasure,” said the knight. “I am -sure that tomorrow night will see me once more upon my rightful throne.” - -Dermot finished his meal and then was shown a bed where he spent the -night. - -With the first streaks of morning light, the little castle became a -scene of busy preparations. Each of the thirty knights buckled on his -armor, took up his shield and announced himself willing to follow -Dermot’s orders. The Knight of Valor, fully armed, took his place at -Dermot’s side, and the little army went forth to battle. When they -approached the castle of the false king, Dermot called out: - -“Come forth, false king, and fight me for your kingdom!” - -This the usurper was afraid to do. He knew better than to risk his life -against such a hero. For answer he sent out all his forces and only -appeared when his warriors formed a protecting wall between him and his -enemies. There he remained in safety. Dermot placed his men in the form -of a wedge with himself in the lead and went into battle. - -Now, the army of the false king was only loyal to him because he had -paid them to place him upon the throne. Then, too, they feared this -terrible Fenian, who had faced them the night before. On the other hand, -the Knight of Valor and his men, cheered by having such a fighter on -their side, fought as they had never fought before. In a short time the -wedge went through the opposing forces, leaving the wicked brother -unprotected. - -This man did not wait any longer. He turned and ran into the palace for -safety, closing the gate behind him. His forces would not keep up the -struggle after their leader left them. They threw down their weapons in -token that they were through. - -Dermot determined to get hold of this brother. He did not stop for the -gate, but used his sword as a lever and jumped over the wall just as he -had gone up the cliff. He caught the pretender before he could get -across the courtyard, and brought him out where his men could see him. -There Dermot released him and once more asked him if he was ready to -fight for the right to retain the kingdom. - -The wicked fellow’s knees shook to the rapid beating of his heart. They -trembled so he had to get down on them to make them support him at all. - -“Spare me! Spare me!” he cried. - -“Are you willing to give up the throne to your brother, the rightful -king?” asked Dermot. - -“I am if my men are satisfied,” answered the man, still on his knees. - -For an answer his men gave a cheer for the Knight of Valor. Then Dermot -picked out thirty men for the false king. - -“You shall have what you gave your brother,” he said. “Now, get up and -lead your men to the castle you set apart for him. That shall be your -kingdom.” - -Then the Knight of Valor led his new friend into the castle. They were -served by the happy people, happy in the return of their own kind ruler. -A joyous celebration was held in Dermot’s honor, but that hero cut it -short by saying: - -“Now that I have helped you, you can show your gratitude by giving me -some assistance. I would find the giant with the bony horse who took -away fifteen of the Fenians. Also, I would get back to Finn with what -information you can give me.” - -“I suppose you mean the man who calls himself the Worthless Servant?” -asked the Knight of Valor. - -Dermot nodded his head. - -“Then I can help you. That man was no giant, but a friend of mine, who -took that shape to get some of the Fenians to come over and help him. He -is about to be attacked by Donn, High King of the World, and needs all -the help he can command. Tomorrow you and I shall go at the head of my -army to give him assistance. You will find Finn and your companions -already there. You see, we worked together. Keen-Sight and Quick-Builder -are our men, whom we sent to bring you here. Tomorrow you shall see them -all.” - - - III. - -Finn and his companions had waited but a short time after Dermot had -disappeared over the cliff. The lad, Keen-Sight, had kept quiet until -Dermot was out of sight. Then he turned to the Fenians and said: - -“Though the horse and men went in here, I think I can find you a harbor -which will lead us to the same place.” - -“That you should have told us before Dermot left,” said Finn. - -Keen-Sight made no reply. - -“Well, it does not matter,” said Finn. “Guide us to the harbor. Dermot -will be safe and will find us later.” - -Again the men bent to their oars and rowed in the direction given by -Keen-Sight. Some days later they came to a broad harbor in which a -thousand ships like theirs could have anchored. The Fenians made fast -the boat and sprang ashore. Still guided by Keen-Sight, they journeyed a -short distance toward the interior of the country. - -Suddenly a large army appeared, coming toward them. The Fenians drew up -in battle array, but Finn told them to have no fear. - -“For,” he explained, “do you not see Dermot in the lead? It is easy to -see that he is not a prisoner.” - -When Dermot saw his friends, he let out a loud shout of joy and hastened -to meet them. The Knight of Valor came up and extended a welcome to the -Fenians. - -“We are in pursuit of the man who calls himself the Worthless Servant,” -said Finn. “Can you give us directions for finding him?” - -“I can do that,” said the Knight of Valor. “We are now but a short -distance from his palace.” - -Then they all fell in together and walked on until they saw before them -a handsome castle. - -“It is here the man lives,” said the Knight of Valor. “He is really the -king of a large country, but took the shape you saw him in to enlist -your aid.” - -The Knight of Valor raised his voice and gave a loud cry. Soon the gates -of the castle opened. Out came the ugly old giant followed by his horse. -On its back still rode the fourteen Fenians, while the fifteenth still -clung to its tail. - -“Have you been like that ever since you left us?” asked Finn, when the -horse approached near enough for the men to hear his voice. - -“We have not,” answered Conan. He and the others slipped off the horse’s -back and came to greet their comrades. “We have been treated like kings. -We merely came out in state so that you might not forget how we -arrived.” - -“Your pardon, O Finn,” said a voice. - -Finn looked at the spot where the giant had been standing, but saw a -strong young champion in his stead. “I am Avarta, ruler of this land. If -I played the part of the Worthless Servant, it was to bring here enough -Fenians to give us help in the hour of need. My messengers have informed -me that the High King of the World is about to attack us. Without your -help I would be defeated; with it I shall conquer.” - -“Why did you not request my help, if you needed it, instead of taking -away my men and forcing me to come after them?” asked Finn. - -“Had I asked you to come to a far country to fight, you would have -refused. You would have told me that it was your duty to remain in Erin -to defend it,” said Avarta. “But I did know that you would not refuse to -come to rescue your own men, and that you would help if you were here.” - -“It is true,” said Finn. “I hold no hard feelings against you. My men -and myself will do our part against the High King of the World.” - -Then the leaders went into the banquet hall of the castle. The other -warriors were quartered in the spacious courtyard. Avarta caused -everything in his power to be done for their comfort. For a day and two -nights they feasted, rested and waited for the arrival of the enemy. - - - IV. - -On the morning of the second day after their arrival, a great fleet -anchored in the harbor. The men immediately began landing in great -numbers. At their head was the son of the High King, and with him was -his sister, Teasa, who wanted to see her brother capture the castle. - -Finn placed his men in battle array; giving to the Knight of Valor and -his warriors the defense of the right wing, and to Avarta and his army -the duty of holding the left wing. With his Fenians, Finn took the -center, where the fighting would be the heaviest. - -The two armies met in deadly combat. The two wings held their own with -difficulty, being about evenly matched with the enemy. But the Fenians, -with desperate valor, overwhelmed the enemy center with great slaughter. -It was a great surprise to the High King’s son. He rallied his men -bravely and gave them an example of valor, but it was useless. Finn was -everywhere, now engaging and defeating a score of warriors, now helping -with one division of his men and now another. Dermot, the pride of the -Fenians, was always in the thick of the struggle. His flashing sword -made a circle of steel about him. No man could stand against him. - -Teasa, who had come to see the prowess of her brother, forgot all about -him in watching the deeds of Finn. She admired his fair hair and manly -bearing, and his bravery appealed to her even more strongly. It was -while watching him drive back her father’s army that she fell deeply in -love with him. When her brother gave orders for his men to fall back -from the unequal struggle, Teasa left her own side and went over to the -Fenians. She found Finn and said to him: - -“I have watched you in the fight today, O Finn, and my heart called out -to you, even against my own brother. I pray you take me to Erin and make -me your wife.” - -“That I cannot do, fair maiden,” said Finn. “I have no need of a wife.” - -“You cannot refuse me,” she cried. “No true champion should refuse a -maiden when she offers herself to him.” - -Finn was honest in his refusal. He still mourned for Saba. Anyhow, he -knew that to take the daughter of the High King would cause a great deal -of trouble. - -“You had better go back to your father while there is still time,” he -told her kindly. - -“That I will not do,” declared Teasa. “Already my father knows that I -have come over to his enemies. If I go back he will kill me. If I cannot -have your love, I can claim your protection from those who would kill -me. I put you under bonds to take me with you to Erin.” - -“I beg you to release me from such bonds,” said Finn. “Nothing but -trouble can come of it.” - -But the maiden insisted that she claimed his protection as a Fenian, and -he could not refuse her. - -When Donn saw the retreat of his son and his army, he called a council -of his wise men to see what it was best to do. - -“This is no time to attack Avarta,” said one of them. “The Fenians are -with him, and we have not men enough to stand against them. The best -thing for us to do is to retire and wait a more favorable time, when the -men of Erin have gone home.” - -This advice was repeated by the others of the council. Just then the son -came on board and approached his father. - -“We are defeated,” he said. “I have ordered my men to retire, lest they -all be killed and we gain nothing by it.” - -“It is well,” said Donn. “But tell me, why is not your sister with you? -She went with you to battle and I do not see her returning.” - -The son hung his head, afraid to tell his father the truth. - -“Speak, my son!” cried Donn. “She cannot be killed! Surely the Fenians -do not make war on women!” - -“Far better had she died,” said the young man. “She has left us and gone -to the Fenians.” - -Then the High King lifted up his voice in a long cry of grief and anger. -Teasa was very dear to him. He could not bear to think that she had gone -over to the enemy. - -“I am sure she is held against her will,” said Donn. “Send heralds to -this Fenian and order him to surrender our daughter to us.” - -But the heralds came back with the word that Finn refused. Then Donn -stood out upon the highest deck and raised his arms above his head in a -vow of vengeance. - -“Hear me, O Finn!” he called. “You have taken my daughter from me, and I -vow that I will be revenged upon you. Though it take me all the rest of -my life to prepare, and though I must get every king in the world to -help me, I vow I shall not rest until I have come to Erin and have -punished you for this deed.” - -Then the High King raised the sails of his fleet, his men bent to their -oars, and the battle fleet sailed out of the harbor. - -Dermot turned to his chief. “I fear that trouble is about to come upon -Erin and the Fenians,” he said. “Chew your thumb and see if it is not -so.” - -Finn shook his head sadly. “I have no need of my thumb to tell me that -what you say is true. Yet, the maiden claimed my protection, and I could -not, under our rules, refuse her.” - -“That is so,” agreed Dermot. - - - V. - -There was great rejoicing in the land when the fleet sailed away. Avarta -thanked the Fenians for their aid and gave them many rich gifts. Finn -was satisfied. Avarta, however, was willing to make still further -amends. - -“Since I took away your men by an enchantment, it is only fair that you -should make an award for me to fulfill,” he insisted. - -“There is no award I would require of you,” said Finn, who never asked -favors of any man to whom he had given help. - -“Stay, O Finn,” cried Conan. “You did not have to ride all day on that -bony back, which was sharper than a sword. If there is an award to be -made, I am the one entitled to it.” - -Finn would have said no, fearing that Conan would ask for gold and thus -put shame upon the Fenians. But Avarta turned to Conan politely and told -him to name his award. - -“It is this,” said Conan. “You are to bring out your bony horse and -place upon its back fourteen of your own nobles. You are to bring them -to Erin, so some one else shall feel the pain of that journey.” - -The Fenians roared with laughter. They were glad that Conan had not -yielded to his desire for gain, but had made a good award. - -“And I wish to add the sentence, that Avarta himself shall cling to the -animal’s tail,” said the young Fenian who had made the trip in that -manner. “Only in that way can he appreciate the pain I bore in coming.” - -“The award is just,” declared Avarta. “Get on your ship. When you arrive -in Erin we shall be with you.” - -So the Fenians got on their ship and went back as rapidly as sails and -oars could take them. When they landed in Erin the ship disappeared, but -where it had been, the waves parted and the great horse, with fourteen -nobles on its back and the Worthless Servant clinging to its tail, came -out on the shore. - -“I have carried out the award,” said Avarta. - -“You have,” said Finn. “Now, I pray you, let your men dismount that all -of you may partake of our hospitality.” - -There was no answer. Where the horse and men had stood there was -nothing. They had disappeared as a mist taken up by the sun. - - - - - DERMOT AND GRAINNE - - -It was some time after the pursuit of the Worthless Servant that the -events of this story took place. Finn, knowing that sooner or later his -forces would have to meet those of the High King of the World, spent -most of his time building up the numbers of his Fenians, so that he -would have a force sufficient when the time came for the great struggle. - -This angered Cormack, High King of Tara, to whom Finn owed allegiance. -Cormack had been very jealous of the power of the Fenians and of the -hold Finn had upon them. Sometimes these Fenians did make demands on the -people of the country, and some of these demands were unreasonable. You -see, Finn was getting to be quite an old man. While his courage and his -wisdom were as great as of old, he was not with his men as constantly as -he had been in his earlier years. Probably they took advantage of this -fact and did things he would not have allowed had he known of them. - -Cormack made up his mind that the overbearing conduct of some of the -Fenians was caused by the fact that Finn had no respect for the -authority of the High King. Then, when Finn began to bend every effort -to increase the fighting strength of the Fenians, Cormack got the idea -that his leader was about to take the kingdom away from him. - -The quarrel began to grow serious. Some of the friends of both men, -however, urged that a stronger alliance be formed between the two to -make a serious break impossible. This was to be accomplished by having -Finn marry Grainne, the daughter of Cormack. - -The two men finally agreed that this wedding should take place, in spite -of the fact that Finn had a grandson older than the girl who was to be -his wife. Cormack was willing because he really feared Finn’s power if -used against him. Finn was willing because he knew of the struggle which -was coming, and he wanted no quarrels at home to interfere with his -preparations. - -Now, Grainne had never seen this mighty leader. She knew him only from -the stories of his many deeds of valor. To have such a noted hero for a -husband seemed quite the proper thing, especially when she was told that -the marriage was arranged for the good of Erin. She told her father that -she was willing to have Finn for a husband. - -So, the Fenian chief, attended by his son, Ossian, his grandson, Oscar, -his friend, Dermot, and a guard of honor, went to the hall at Tara for -the wedding celebration. A great feast for the men of both parties was -held in the banquet hall. During the meal Cormack and Finn discussed -their differences and plans for a better understanding. - -Naturally the young girl was anxious to have a look at the man who was -to be her husband. While the feast was in progress she came to the door -of the hall with her maid, who was to point out Finn to her mistress. -The maid did so. Grainne was amazed. - -“Surely not that old man!” she exclaimed. - -The maid told her that there could be no mistake. Then she named over -all the rest of the party in turn. Grainne made up her mind that she -would not go on with the ceremony. - -“My father did not tell me that he was mating me with a man old enough -to be my grandfather,” she said. “If he had, I should never have -consented. What can that old man want with a wife?” - -“The marriage is to bind the Fenians more closely to the throne,” said -the maid. - -“That could be done in other ways,” replied Grainne. “If Finn sought me -for a wife for his son, I would be willing to go on with the match.” - -The maid explained that Ossian already had a wife and could not take -another. - -“Well, the grandson would be still better,” insisted Grainne. “But I -will never marry that old man; never, never, never!” - -“Then it would be best for you to so inform your father immediately,” -advised the maid. “Even now your refusal will cause more bitter -feeling.” - -“No,” said Grainne. “My father would insist upon the match. If I get out -of this marriage it will have to be by my own efforts.” - -Then the girl went to her rooms in the palace and prepared a jug of -wine, putting in a drug which would bring a heavy sleep to all who -tasted of it. This she gave to the maid, telling her to go to the hall -and give a sip from the bride’s cup to everyone except Oscar and Dermot. -To these she was to refuse it. - -The maid followed her instructions. All to whom it was offered took a -sip of the drugged liquor. When they were asleep Grainne, dressed in her -most beautiful robes, entered the hall and went straight to Oscar and -Dermot. She asked Oscar to marry her and take her away. Oscar -indignantly refused to be false to the man who was both his chief and -his grandfather. - -But now Grainne had looked upon the Love Spot. She forgot all about -Oscar in her new love for this young Fenian hero. She now pled with -Dermot to marry her and take her away. - -Dermot threw off her arms from around his neck. - -“Think you that I would cast aside my honor and lose my place with the -Fenians?” he cried. “Never shall it be said that Dermot was false to a -friend! Death would be better than that!” - -But Grainne was not to be denied. She forgot everything but her love for -this man. She used a trick to compel Dermot to take her, the same ruse -that Teasa had used to force Finn to take her to Erin. - -“If you will not have me for your wife, I put you under bonds to save me -from this marriage, which is distasteful to me. I bind you, by your -Fenian oath, to take me away and guard me from all pursuers until I -release you.” - -Poor Dermot was sorely puzzled. Whichever course he took he must lose -his honor. He must either break his vow to give protection to a woman -whenever it was asked, or he must be disloyal to Finn. - -“What can I do?” he asked Oscar. - -“To give you advice is the thing I would gladly refuse,” answered Oscar. -“Since you ask it, I must tell you that your honor binds you to do as -she asks.” - -So Dermot and Grainne went out through the little gate in the palace -wall and fled into the forest, accompanied only by Dermot’s faithful -hound. - - - II. - -When the men awoke from their drugged sleep, and Oscar told Finn and -Cormack what had happened, both men were exceedingly angry. They -immediately ordered a pursuit of the fugitives. For days Finn and his -men followed the trail of the two. While they often came upon campfires -that still smouldered, showing where the pursued pair had stopped, they -never were able to catch up with them. Dermot was caring for Grainne -with what food he could procure in the forest. He was kind to her, but -steadily resisted all her efforts to get him to marry her. At each -camping place he left a sign that Finn would recognize as a pledge that -he was not fleeing of his own free will, but because the maiden had put -him under bonds. - -This treatment, however, did not please Grainne. All her pleading for -his love met with no response. At last she appealed to a Druid for help. -These Druids had great magical power, if they could be prevailed upon to -use them. Grainne did not tell him who she was. She played a part -calculated to excite the pity of the magician. - -“I am in deep trouble,” she told him. “I fear that only you can be of -assistance to me. I can tell by the kindness of your face that you are -always willing to help a maiden in distress.” - -The Druid was flattered by this artful speech. - -“What can I do for you, O maiden?” he asked. - -“I have just been married, and my husband is falling in love with -another maiden,” lied Grainne. “I would have you do something to make me -more beautiful, so that my husband will love me again.” - -“I could not make you more beautiful than you are already,” said the -Druid. He was something of a flatterer himself. - -“Then give me something to kill me,” wailed Grainne. “I cannot live -without my husband’s love.” At this point she burst into a violent -sobbing. The heart of the Druid was touched by her pretended grief. - -“But if I cannot make you more beautiful, there is something else I can -do for you,” he said. - -“What is that?” asked Grainne, drying her eyes. - -“I can give you a liquid to pour into the drink of your husband. As long -as the effect lasts, he will love you better than anything else in the -world.” - -“Give it to me at once,” said Grainne. “If I can but win back his love, -I will keep his heart forever.” - -So the Druid gave her the love charm, and Grainne administered it to -Dermot in his food. Immediately he became wildly in love with her and -yielded to her pleadings to marry her at once. - -Finn’s pursuit had daily become less insistent. He had never been -strongly in favor of marrying Grainne, and his anger against Dermot -became less keen. When he heard that the two were married he abandoned -the pursuit entirely. He sent word to Dermot that if he kept out of his -way he would no longer seek to punish him, but that he had been expelled -from the Fenians for disloyalty to his leader. - -And so it happened that Finn lost his best friend and his companion in -his adventures. The Fenians, also, lost their best fighter. This is the -reason why, in the next story, which tells of the greatest battle the -army ever engaged in, Dermot was not there to help. - - - - - THE BATTLE OF VENTRY STRAND - - -The years sped by with no sign of the attack by the High King of the -World. One less wise than Finn would have decided that Donn had given up -his revenge. But Finn was not fooled. He knew that the attack would -come, and that each year of delay meant a greater force against him. He -used the time to build up a stronger defense. - -He placed a guard on a hill overlooking every harbor of Erin. These men -were supposed never to leave their posts without placing some one to -watch in their stead. At the important harbors, the watch was strictly -kept, year after year. But the guards of the small and unimportant ports -grew careless and spent much of their time asleep or in the nearby -villages. - -So it happened that when the great fleet finally came, there was no one -to give warning. The harbor of Ventry Strand was the one picked out by -Donn for his landing. He chose this harbor because it was small and -unimportant. He was guided by a traitor who had been expelled from the -ranks of the Fenians, a man who knew the placing of the forces and who -knew that the guards of the small harbors like Ventry Strand had become -very careless. - -When the guard on the hill awoke he was horrified to see the water black -with ships, and hundreds of men landing on the shore. He could see what -a tremendous force the High King had gathered. There were the banners of -the Kings of France, of Spain, of Norway, of Denmark, and many others he -did not recognize. - -The guard was terrified at the results of his neglect of duty. He was -afraid to face Finn and admit that he had not been faithful to his -charge. He did the next best thing. He sent a messenger to his chief -telling him of the arrival of the enemy. Then he went down to meet the -hosts alone, and died fighting bravely as was the duty of a Fenian. - -But this guard was not the only one to show his bravery that day. All -through history we find records of small bodies of devoted men who held -back great armies while their comrades prepared for the fight. The -battle of Ventry Strand was no exception. This time, however, it was not -men, but boys who sacrificed themselves to hold back the enemy until the -Fenians could arrive. - -In many of our stories you have read of the requirements of strength -necessary to become a Fenian. No doubt you have wondered if there was -not some training school for boys who would be eligible, if they could -pass the test. There was such a training. It was called the Boys’ Corps. -All boys could join this group when old enough to begin their training. -They remained in it until they were able to join the Fenians or had -failed to pass the entrance test. Here they began their training about -the age of twelve, though some of the great heroes enrolled and became -leaders at a much younger age. Finn, you remember, defeated the giant -Midna at the age of ten, but he had proved himself a leader of the Boys’ -Corps long before that. - -These groups had teachers who instructed their pupils in the Twelve -Books of Poetry, and gave them training in the use of the weapons of the -chase and of warfare. The boys did not live at home, but camped with the -others of the group and lived on what they could kill, just as did the -Fenians. Their training was much the same as that described in stories -of the Spartan boys in Greece. - -One of these training groups was in the hills of Ventry when the forces -of Donn were landing. Their leader, a boy of sixteen, who had proven -himself the most expert in his training, saw the situation and thus -addressed his companions: - -“Behold, an enemy has landed upon the shores of Erin, and there is no -one to stay them. It will take Finn and his men all day to reach here. -In the meantime, there are two courses open to us. We can seek safety in -the hills and let the foreigner pillage our country, or we can go down -and die fighting in its defense. It is for you to choose. If we hide we -may grow up to become Fenians. But can we look Finn in the face and tell -him that we proved our worth by hiding?“ - -[Illustration: - The messenger told Finn that the enemy had landed at Ventry Strand - From Battle of Ventry Strand] - -He drew a line on the ground and stepped over it. - -“I, for one, prefer to show these men what sort of boys grow up to be -the men of Erin. Those who will follow me to the strand to die bravely -fighting for our country, will step across the line.” - -With a shout every boy jumped over the line to the side of their leader. -Then, with shields in front and weapons ready, the Boys’ Corps marched -down to meet the invaders. - -“Ho! Ho!” laughed one of the soldiers. “Have the men of Erin hidden in -their holes and sent the children to greet us?” - -“Better gain what glory you can before the men of Erin arrive to cut -short your boasting,” cried the boy leader, dashing at the man who had -mocked them. - -Soon the whole boy force was engaged in the unequal struggle against an -overwhelming number of men hardened to battle. But though they were boys -and knew that they must die in the end, there was no one but showed the -fighting blood of his fathers. One after another they went down, but all -that day they held the forces of the High King on the shore. When the -Fenians arrived that evening the enemy was still on his ships and at the -water’s edge. But where were the heroic boys? Not one was left. Only the -peasants, who had watched the fight from the hillsides, could tell the -story of that noble stand. - -When Finn came up and saw the forces against him, he realized that the -battle would be long and hard. His only hope was to use small bodies of -his fighters against the foe, and trust to the bravery of his men to -wear down the forces of the enemy. - -“Shall we attack in force and drive them into the sea?” asked Gaul. -“Every Fenian should be able to account for ten of the enemy.” - -“They will have to do more than that,” declared Finn. “We must send out -two hundred of our men each day and let them make what headway they can. -Only in that way can we reduce their number enough to make possible -their defeat. The Fenians need room to fight and must have strong odds -against them to make them do their best. Who will lead the first two -hundred?” - -“I will lead them,” cried Gaul. - -“I, too, will go,” declared Ossian. - -“I will be in the first two hundred,” said Oscar. - -“So be it,” said Finn. “May you spread terror into the hearts of the -enemy.” - -Next morning the two hundred charged into the foe. By nightfall the -forces of the High King were cut to pieces. But of the Fenians there was -left but Gaul, Ossian and Oscar. Gaul was so badly wounded that he had -to be carried back to the camp. - -More men landed from the ships and rallied around three men, swordsmiths -of the High King, who had led the forces that day, and who had stood -against the Fenian heroes until night closed the battle. - -The next day Ossian and Oscar led out two hundred fresh men from the -Fenian army. They were met by the three smiths and a great force from -the army of the High King. All day the battle continued. Each Fenian did -great deeds of valor and proved worthy of his name. Toward the close of -the day but three smiths and Ossian and Oscar were left to carry on the -battle. Oscar, the best swordsman of the Fenians, was holding two of the -opposing champions. The third was pressing hard against his father and -forcing him backward. - -Finn was greatly alarmed for the safety of his son. Of course, under -their rules of warfare, no more men could come into the battle after it -had started. Finn did the only thing left for him to do. He sent his -poet, Fergus, to stand behind Ossian and to sing to him of the great -deeds he had done in the past. This encouragement was what Ossian -needed. A great strength rose up within him. He forced back his opponent -and took his head. Oscar, at the same time, conquered the two, who stood -against him. - -The victory that day rested with the Fenians. But it was dearly bought. -At the end of his combat Oscar sank to the ground, fainting from his -many wounds. His father had to carry him back to the camp of the -Fenians. It was many months before he was strong enough to again take -part in the fighting. - - - II. - -Not all the brave fighters in the battle of Ventry Strand were on the -Fenian side. Other men could face great odds, too. The three smiths, who -had fallen that day, had a brother still on the ship of the High King. -When this man saw the result of the fight, he let out a mighty shout of -grief and rage. He went straight to the High King. - -“Tomorrow I am going to meet the two hundred Fenians,” he said. “What is -more, I am going alone. If any of our men try to interfere with me, I -shall kill them.” - -The High King knew that this man was the greatest champion on his side. -He was willing to have him go out and strike terror into the hearts of -the Fenians. He gave orders that he should be the only one to land next -day. - -For the next day’s battle Finn had no great leader for his men. One -young Fenian, anxious to gain glory for himself, offered to lead the two -hundred. Finn let him go. All day long the two hundred Fenians faced -this one champion. By night the foreigner was alone on the field. A -shout of victory went up from the ships of the High King. The Fenians -were far from joyous to see such valor on the side of the enemy. - -The next day this champion again defeated the two hundred Fenians, and -for the four days following, the combats ended the same. Finn was -getting desperate. He could not go out and meet the man himself, because -if he were killed or badly wounded, his men would be leaderless and the -forces of the High King would gain the victory. - -How he wished for Dermot in this hour of need! The splendid example of -this great hero would have done the Fenians more good than a thousand -soldiers. Ossian and Oscar, too badly wounded to fight, pled with Finn -to relent and send for his one-time champion and dearest friend. But -Finn’s pride would not permit him to do this. The thought that Dermot -had yielded to a woman’s plea to be false to his chief, cut him to the -heart. - -All great men have their moments of weakness. The one dark spot on the -record of Finn is his treatment of Dermot. One point we find in his -favor. It is the fact that he did not send for Dermot during the battle. -If he could not forgive him because he felt the justice of his friend’s -position, he would not say so because he needed his sword. - -In this hour of need another hero arrived on the Fenian side. The son of -the King of Ulster heard of this battle and longed to take part in it. -Though little more than a boy he went to his father and asked his -permission. His father met this request with an angry reply. - -“What nonsense!” he exclaimed. “You are only a boy and not fit to go -into battle.” - -The king not only forbade his going, but he set over him a guard of his -twelve foster-brothers to see that he did not go without permission. But -the boy was not to be denied. He talked so earnestly with his brothers -that he fired them with a desire to take part in the great battle. In -the end all thirteen slipped away to the camp of Finn. - -The boy went before the chief of the Fenians. “I am the son of the King -of Ulster,” he said. “It is my wish to meet this champion, who is -bringing fear into the hearts of the Fenians.” - -“Go home, boy,” said Conan. “This man has slain heroes who could account -for a thousand like you.” - -The boy looked at him in indignation. “I do not know the Fenians,” he -said. “But I do know that you must be Conan, who speaks good of no man. -If you think a boy should not face this champion, why are you here in -camp? If I cannot kill this man, I can at least show the foreigners that -the boys of Erin have not the cowardice of a Conan!” - -Conan had no more to say after that. He hated to hear the truth from the -lips of a boy. Finn, because he remembered the fire of his own youth, -looked with favor upon the brave lad and consented to his meeting the -champion. While they talked a mighty shout came from the shore. - -“What is that?” asked the boy. - -“That is the champion calling for men to meet him,” answered Conan. “He -has just finished the last of your bodyguard.” - -“He shall not have to wait long,” said the boy. - -A great shout of laughter from the enemy greeted the approach of the new -fighter. The champion joined in the jeers. - -“Let Finn acknowledge his defeat if he has no more men to send out,” he -cried. “I do not fight with boys.” - -“If you do not fight, it will be your last battle,” declared the son of -the king. - -He closed in battle. Before the smith realized that it was a real -contest, he had received several small wounds. He began to fight in -earnest. But he had met his match at last. They fought until their -shields were torn to shreds, and their swords were broken off at the -hilts. Then they threw away the weapons and struggled with their bare -hands. Over the shore they fought, and finally out into the sea, where -they sank from sight. - -The men of both sides waited anxiously to see which one would come up. -But neither appeared that night. Next morning the two bodies, still -locked in a tight embrace, were washed upon the sands. The body of the -king’s son was on top, his hands still clasping the throat of his -opponent, proving that he had won the fight. - - - III. - -The great battle went on for a year and a day. Sometimes there were -single combats, sometimes many men were engaged, but neither side could -gain a complete victory. When the year was up the High King resolved to -challenge Finn to single combat. He saw that he was losing more men then -the Fenians, and that Finn’s plan of campaign would win for him in the -end. - -If he could kill Finn, all the advantage would be on his side. Also, the -death of the Fenian chief would make complete his revenge for the loss -of his daughter. Donn was not showing such wonderful bravery in offering -to meet the Fenian chief. Finn was an old man, without the great -strength of his youth. Donn reasoned that he could fight him day after -day until Finn was vanquished through weakness. He did not fear for -himself. He was protected by enchantment and could not be killed except -with one sword. That weapon was locked up in his castle at home, guarded -by his father. - -Finn knew that he could not kill the High King without this sword. Yet -he accepted the challenge. He had lost so many of his men that he was -sick at heart. He welcomed the idea of getting into the fight himself. -Even if he were killed, he could still set an example of his unflinching -courage. Gaul, Ossian and Oscar were now almost recovered. Even were he -killed, he was sure Gaul would carry on the fight. - -On the night before the battle between the two leaders, an enchanter -from the side of the High King entered the Fenian camp and went straight -to Finn. - -“I have left the camp of the High King because he has been unjust to -me,” said the enchanter. “I am here to help you in your fight against -him.” - -Finn thanked him and asked him what he could do. - -“Perhaps you do not know that you can only kill him with one sword,” -said the man. - -“I do know it,” answered Finn. - -“Stand against him tomorrow, and by night you shall have the sword. I -shall go to Donn’s father and tell him that his son has sent me for his -sword to use in the fight against you. His father will give it to me -without question.” - -“Bring me the weapon and I shall reward you,” said Finn. - -The two leaders met the next day in combat. The High King had no fear -and fought recklessly. Finn knew that he must continue the battle until -the next day, so he fought with great care and was content with -defending himself from the attacks of Donn. This pleased the High King -very much. He thought that Finn had lost his strength. He went to his -ship that night sure that the next day would bring with it the defeat of -the Fenian chief. - -But he had a surprise in store for him. The next morning when he came -out to the combat he found Finn coming toward him. He turned pale when -he recognized the weapon in the hands of his opponent. Fear gripped his -heart and destroyed his sense of honor. He tried to win by surprise. -Before the signal for combat was given, he struck a mighty blow at Finn. - -But for the heroism of one of the Fenians he would have succeeded. This -young man rushed in and received the blow intended for his chief. - -When Finn saw the death of his man as a result of treachery, a surge of -rage gave him all the strength of his youth. He raised the weapon the -enchanter had brought, and with one blow finished his combat with Donn. -Then, rallying his entire force with his old battle cry, he set upon the -leaderless hosts. - -That day’s battle was the fiercest of all. When night came there was not -a man of the invading force left alive. But there were no Fenians left -to give battle had there been any more to meet. Everyone of the brave -defenders, Finn included, were dead or suffering from severe wounds. - -So ended the battle of Ventry Strand. Erin was saved from the invaders, -but at a fearful cost. The story reminds one of the Trojan War, of which -most of us have read. In that great contest we read of the same -desperate heroism. Both were started because of a woman, and both -continued until all the fighters on one side were completely destroyed. - - - - - THE DEATH OF DERMOT - - -For sixteen years after the flight of Grainne and Dermot, the couple -lived in their home in the forest. Dermot was not unhappy, now that his -remorse for proving disloyal to Finn had grown less keen. He divided his -time between hunting in the forest and the training of his children. He -never mentioned his former chief or his comrades. - -Grainne was not so easily satisfied. She proved to be the kind of woman -who is always wishing for something she cannot have. When she was about -to be married to Finn, she wanted Dermot. Then, when she had succeeded -in getting Dermot to marry her, she decided that she had been foolish to -run away from Finn. While he was pursuing them, Grainne had been -perfectly happy. She had not wished to be caught, but it pleased her -vanity to be running away with one great hero and having another trying -to capture her. - -When Finn gave up the chase and she was allowed to have the man she had -chosen, she was no longer satisfied. She decided that Finn must come and -visit them. The reason she gave Dermot for this wish was, that their -daughter could never pick a husband if she was never to see any of the -heroes of the country. What she really desired was to have Finn come and -tell her that he envied Dermot his good fortune in getting such a fine -wife, or to have him show, in some way, that he was sorry he could not -marry her. - -Dermot finally yielded to her arguments and sent the invitation to Finn. -At first the Fenian leader refused to consider such a visit. The -invitation reminded him of what he called the treachery of the man who -had been his friend. But Ossian and Oscar reasoned with him and urged -him to make the visit as a sign of forgiveness. They told him that it -did not look well for a mighty leader to hold a grudge for so long. They -insisted that it was just his pride which kept him away, and that he -really wanted to see Dermot. - -Finn finally consented. He took Oscar and Ossian with him and went to -the home in the forest. - -Their reception was a cordial one. Dermot was like a boy in his pleasure -at meeting his former chief and his old friends. As for Finn, he seemed -to forget his injured pride in the joy of being once more on good terms -with Dermot. For several days it was a happy party. Through the day they -hunted together; in the evenings they feasted and told stories of the -hard combats of the past. Finn even went so far as to admit that the -need of Dermot’s sword very nearly caused the defeat of the Fenians in -the Battle of Ventry Strand. It seemed as if the past was all forgotten, -and that Dermot would once more become a member of the Fenian band. - -But Grainne never was content. Once more she caused trouble between the -two men. She soon proved that it was for neither her husband nor her -daughter that she desired the visit of Finn. When he had come, he had -greeted her cordially, and then had seemed to forget all about her. This -hurt her pride. She began to make herself very agreeable to him and to -seek him out at every opportunity. She tried to do little things for him -which would bring her to his notice. - -Now, Grainne could be very charming when she tried, and she was still a -very beautiful woman. Finn began to take an interest in her. Then, -Grainne, hoping to get some statement of regret from him, called up the -circumstances of that flight, sixteen years before. - -Finn’s anger, which had died almost to ashes, burst into a flame again. -He no longer took pleasure in the company of Dermot. Even when he tried -to look pleasantly at his host, the fire in his eyes could not be -hidden. Ossian saw the change and urged that the visit be brought to a -close. Finn put him off angrily and refused to leave. - -Grainne was pleased with the results of her scheme. It was not that she -did not still love her husband. You see, she knew that Dermot could not -be wounded by Finn. She thought there was no danger, and it was pleasing -to her vanity to know that once again two fine men were interested in -her. - -One night the men were awakened by the continued baying of the hounds. -This could only mean that some large animals were prowling around. So, -early next morning, they went out upon a hunt. Oscar and Ossian took one -path and Finn and Dermot the other. The latter had not gone far when -they met an excited peasant, who informed them that a terrible wild boar -was roaming about, spreading death and destruction in its path. - -Dermot paused. He knew that hunting the wild boar was forbidden to him. -The proper thing for him to do was to go back, and he knew it. Finn -watched him anxiously. - -“You had better go back, Dermot,” he said. “This is hardly a safe -pastime for you.” - -Dermot flushed with anger. “It is plain that you desire my death, Finn -MacCool,” he said, “or you would not say such a thing to me. You know -full well that I cannot turn back when you question my bravery.” - -Finn said no more. He felt sure that Dermot would continue the hunt in -spite of the warnings of his foster-father. They had gone but a few -yards when a great boar burst out of the forest and made toward them. -Dermot hurled his spear. It glanced off the thick skull. He drew his -sword, but before he could use it, the boar knocked him down and tore -him cruelly with his tusks. Even as he fell, Dermot crushed the skull of -the beast with the hilt of his sword. - -Finn had made no move to assist in the killing of the boar. Now he came -over and looked at Dermot. The wounded man implored him to do something -for him. - -“I am sorry to see you this way, Dermot,” he said. “But I can never -forget that you proved untrue to me sixteen years ago. There is nothing -I can do for you.” - -“There is,” answered Dermot. “You can restore me to health by giving me -a drink from your two hands.” - -“There is no well,” said Finn, making excuses. - -“There is one just a few paces behind you,” said Dermot. - -Finn made no move to go. His anger held him back. - -“Can’t you remember how you were bound and suffering in the dungeon of -the White Nation? I did not hesitate to go through every trial to rescue -you. Will you refuse me now? For the sake of what I have done for you, -give me a drink that will heal me.” - -Finn was filled with remorse. He went to the well and started back with -his cupped hands full of water. But as he walked he saw before him a -picture of that hall in Tara. Again he felt the disgrace of having his -trusted friend prove disloyal to him. The water trickled through his -fingers, and he came back with nothing. - -By that time Oscar and Ossian had come up and had knelt beside the -wounded man. Dermot looked up at Finn with a pleading look in his eyes. - -“I could not bring it,” said Finn. “It is too far to carry it. The water -all runs away.” - -“You can bring it if you wish,” insisted Dermot. “I know you are angry -because I took Grainne away that night. But Oscar will tell you that it -was much against my will. She put me under bonds, and I had to go, just -as you had to bring Teasa from the land of Avarta. Your men did not turn -against you because you brought trouble to Erin by that act. For the -sake of our old friendship, get me the drink before it is too late!” - -Once more a flood of pity and remorse came over Finn. He recognized the -justice of Dermot’s plea. Again he hurried to the well and filled his -hands. But when he started back to the dying man he seemed to see -Grainne in front of him. She seemed to be smiling at him and beckoning -to him. Once more the water ran out through his fingers, and he came -back with his hands empty. - -When he approached this time, Dermot was too weak to speak. Only his -eyes pled for the water. Oscar could not stand it any longer. He sprang -to his feet and drew his sword. - -“Though you are my chief, I will not stand by and see you do this great -wrong!” he cried. “You must get the water or one of us will never leave -this forest alive!” - -Oscar’s just anger brought Finn to his senses. He put all thoughts of -pride and the woman from his mind. He hurriedly filled his hands and -hastened back to Dermot’s side. He was too late. The mighty hero was -dead. - -They made preparations to take away the body for burial. But their help -was not needed. The god, Angus, appeared and with him four shining -heroes, bearing a golden bier. On this they placed the body of Dermot -and walked majestically away. - -“I cannot give him back his life,” said Angus. “But I can take his body -with me, and I can have his soul to keep me company.” - -Then all vanished in a blaze of light. Finn, Oscar and Ossian were left -alone in the forest. - - - - - THE BATTLE OF GOWRA - - -A few years after the death of Dermot the old trouble between the High -King of Tara and the Fenians arose again. Cormack was dead, but his son -was even more bitter against the army. He made up his mind that he would -destroy the forces entirely. - -The new ruler realized that he could never raise a sufficient force to -meet the Fenians in battle. He determined upon a less dangerous, though -less honorable, method. He endeavored to promote a quarrel between two -factions, so that the groups would destroy themselves. The High King, -you see, was a man of wisdom. - -This plan was an easy one to accomplish. You have not forgotten that -Gaul of Morna had held the leadership of the Fenians for the ten years -between the death of Cool and the arrival of Finn. He had been loyal to -Finn all through the later years, but beneath his loyalty ran a thin -current of envy. He was the older man of the two. It was easy to tell -him that, because of his age, he should be chief. Envy is a poison that -works silently, but it works harder when it is thought about. The High -King gradually convinced Gaul that it would be to his interest to -quarrel with Finn and take part of the army with him. - -Finn’s treatment of Dermot shows us that he became more revengeful in -his later years. He did not take part in so many adventures requiring -him to use his strength, so he had more time to think over what people -had done to him. He never forgot that it was Gaul who had given his -father his mortal wound. As long as Gaul was his faithful follower, he -did not hold this fact against him. But when Gaul began to grow bitter -in his dealings with his chief, Finn made the quarreling easy by -recalling this fight. Both men were willing to come to blows. - -The High King went with Gaul through the ranks of the Fenians and, by -promises and bribes, won over a large number. The fact that the High -King was on the side of Gaul made it appear to these men that those who -were disloyal to Finn would probably be on the winning side. In the end, -the two forces were about equal. Then the High King and Gaul moved to -attack the forces of Finn. - -Finn was sick at heart at the thought that his splendid army was to be -cut to pieces by the treacherous plot of the High King. He would gladly -have given up his command if that act would have saved the men from -fighting among themselves. His knowledge, however, told him that it was -the plan of the High King to get the two groups to so weaken themselves -that he could gather a force large enough to defeat those left. Finn -knew what Gaul did not understand, that he was to be used and later put -out of the way. - -The forces of Gaul met those of Finn at Gowra, just at evening. In those -days no one thought of fighting at night. The two forces built their -camps and waited for morning light to give the signal for the combat. - -All through the early hours of the night Finn paced his camp and tried -to make a plan which would stop the struggle of the next day. If the -High King had not been on the side of Gaul, he felt that the trouble -would never have occurred. At midnight he left his own camp and went, -alone, to the quarters of Gaul and the High King. - -These two men were greatly alarmed to wake and find Finn beside them. -Both sprang to their feet and seized their weapons. They thought that -Finn meant to do away with them by treachery. - -“Have no fear,” said Finn. “I have come by myself, and my purpose is to -talk, not fight. I have come to see if there is not some way in which we -can stop the slaughter of the men of Erin.” - -Both men were silent. Finally Gaul spoke, “There is one way,” he said. -“You may give up the leadership and tell your men to obey me.” - -Finn turned to the High King. “If that will stop the struggle, then I -will accept the terms.” - -The crafty High King was not pleased. A peace which would leave the -Fenians as strong as ever was the last thing he wanted. He pretended to -doubt Finn’s word. - -“It is but a trick,” he said to Gaul. “Finn would have us believe that -he wants peace, so that he may attack us unawares. Tomorrow’s contest -shall decide all things which are at stake.” - -“Then I make one other proposition to you,” said Finn, addressing the -High King. “I will meet you in single combat tomorrow morning. If you -best me, you will have a clear field to take my men as your followers. -If I prove the better fighter, Gaul and I will be left to decide the -leadership.” - -The High King had been whispering to some of his men near him. These -went out into the darkness before he replied to the challenge. - -“I refuse your challenge,” he said, with an attempt to cover his fear -with haughtiness. “It would not be fitting that an army leader should -meet his king in a single combat.” - -“Then I can do no more,” declared Finn. “I must go back and leave the -decision to the morrow.” - -The High King laughed excitedly. “That you shall not do,” he said. “Our -men have been awakened and are between you and your camp. Tonight they -will settle your claims for leadership; tomorrow your men will fight -without you.” - -Finn looked at the forces, now awake and surrounding him. It was the -basest kind of treachery. He turned to Gaul of Morna. - -“Gaul, you took the vow to be honorable in your dealings. Are you -willing that I shall face your army, when I came in peace as a -messenger? Are you a party to this treachery?” - -“I am not!” cried Gaul. “Never shall it be said that Gaul of Morna knew -not how to treat a messenger of the foe. I shall conduct you through our -forces, and woe to any man who raises a spear against you!” - -“I thank you, Gaul,” said Finn. - -Without even glancing at the High King, Finn followed Gaul out into the -night. His guide escorted him to the edge of his own camp before turning -to go back. Finn made a last appeal to him. - -“It grieves me, Gaul, to see this battle take place. I know that the -High King but uses you to cause the destruction of the Fenians. I pray -you, give up the struggle and come back to us.” - -Gaul was deeply moved. “I fear you are right,” he said. “But, right or -wrong, I must go on. I have driven my game out into the open. I must -capture it or lose the respect of my men.” - -Then Gaul went back to his camp. - - - II. - -With the first streaks of morning light, the great battle of Gowra -began. The men fought as only Fenians could fight against one another. -Finn threw himself into the struggle with reckless bravery, but the late -afternoon found him still unwounded. Many a splendid hero went down, -Gaul of Morna among them. The High King, however, did not allow the -fight to lag when his leader was killed. He took charge of the forces -himself. - -Finn tried all day to get his monarch into a combat with him, but the -High King was too shrewd. He kept clear of any of the stronger fighters -of Finn’s forces. It was Oscar, wounded and tired, who finally cornered -him and forced him to fight or show his cowardice. - -Like a rat in a trap, the High King put up a desperate battle. He was -fresh and strong, and so was almost a match for the wounded Oscar. The -end came when both men sank to the ground at the same time. Before Finn -could reach the side of his grandson, both men were dead. - -Then Finn’s mighty heart broke. He looked about the field, where small -groups of men still struggled desperately. He determined that the -contest should stop. He blew a loud blast on his horn. The men stopped -in surprise. Finn’s voice rang out over the field. - -“Men of Erin,” he called. “Sad am I that I have lived to see the day -when brother fights against brother, friend against friend. Let the -fighting cease. Gaul and the High King are dead, and Finn will soon be -with you no longer. I care not to live to think over this useless -conflict. From now on the Fenians will live only in song and story. Go -back to the chase and the pursuits of peace. I command you never to draw -sword again unless it be to protect Erin from a foreign foe.” - -Then Finn called his servant and bade him bring to him the drinking horn -from his camp. This horn he had carried with him all through his later -years. It held the magic water which would bring sleep and forgetfulness -to any who drank from it. When the horn was brought he drained it to the -last drop. Then he bade farewell to his men, took his weapons with him -and went into a cave on the hillside to await the sleep that was already -stealing over his limbs. - - * * * * * - -A thousand years rolled by. A new race of people took possession of -Erin. Only from the lips of the poets and the bards could one hear of -the mighty heroes. Some laugh and say the tales are not true. But the -legend is still told among the Irish peasants that Finn still sleeps in -his cave on the hill, and that if Ireland ever is invaded again, he will -come out and gather his Fenians for battle. - - THE END. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - - “guesed” changed to “guessed” on Page 25 but he never guessed - “again” changed to “against” on Page 26 thumb against the meat - “freightened” changed to “frightened” on Page 26 eyes frightened him - “posible” changed to “possible” on Page 31 feat be possible, - ” added on Page 31 youth,” answered Conn. - “McCool” changed to “MacCool” on Page 35 Thus Finn MacCool - “warior” changed to “warrior” on Page 52 only a great warrior. - “tuggling” changed to “tugging” on Page 61 tugging and straining - “him” changed to “his” on Page 76 He cleared his way - corrected placement of quote on Page 76 castle. “You are at - “ added on Page 83 the king. “Finding - ” added on Page 94 lord of that castle.” - “made” changed to “make” on Page 138 make them do their - -Added period to regularize headings on Pages 12, 97, 107, 116, 119, 123, -130, 140, 144, and 160. - -Chapter 10 has no Section VIII. Section VII. begins on Page 89, and -Section IX. begins on Page 97. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Legendary Heroes of Ireland, by Harold F. Hughes - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEGENDARY HEROES OF IRELAND *** - -***** This file should be named 50490-0.txt or 50490-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/4/9/50490/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Lisa Anne Hatfield and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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