Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Ossianic and other Early Legends. 229
lin's ears), and myself will go with }-ou. We were not
born yesterday."
He took two hazel twigs in his hand ; and when they
came to the edge of the water, one became a boat and
the other a mast. He steered ; one brother managed
the sail, the other baled out the water, and so they sailed
till they came to the harbour of the island, and there
the helmsman secured the boat to
security.*
a post with a years
They visited the Queen, and were hospitably treated,
and after they were refreshed with the best of food
and liquor she explained her trouble. " I had two fair
children, and when each was a year old it fell sick, and
on the third night was
sorceress Cluas Haistig,
carried away by the
My youngest, now a
wicked
twelvemonth
old, has spent two sick nights. This night she
will surely carry him away unless you or your young
friends prevent her."
When the darkness came, Fion and the three brothers
took their station in the room of the sick child ; Grunne
and Bechunah played at chess, Cluas Guillin watched,
and Fion reclined on a couch. Vessels full of Spanish
wine, Greek honey (mead), and Danish beer, were laid
on the table. The two chess players were intent on
their game, the watcher kept his senses on the strain, and
a druidic sleep seized on the son of Cumhail. Three
times he made mighty efforts to keep awake, and thrice
he was overcome by powerful weariness. The brothers
smiled at his defeat, but left him to repose. Soon the
watcher felt a chill shiver run over him, and the infant
began to moan. A feeling of horror seized on the three
boys, and a thin, long hairy arm was seen stealing down
the opening above the fire. Though the teeth of Cluas
Guillin were chattering with terror, he sprung forward,
seized the hand, and held it firm. A violent effort was
made by the powerful witch sprawling on the roof to draw
* No stranger was to unmoor it for a twelvemonth. After that
it became the property of the chief who owned the harbour.