Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

230 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[269]foreigner, and Saba looking ever down the pass for thy return, wesaw one day as it were the likeness of thee approaching, and Branand Skolawn at thy heels. And we seemed also to hear the notesof the Fian hunting-call blown on the wind. Then Saba hastenedto the great gate, and we could not stay her, so eager was sheto rush to the phantom. But when she came near she halted andgave a loud and bitter cry, and the shape of thee smote her witha hazel wand, and lo, there was no woman there any more, but adeer. Then those hounds chased it, and ever as it strove to reachagain the gate of the dūn they turned back. We all now seizedwhat arms we could and ran out to drive away the enchanter, butwhen we reached the place there was nothing to be seen, onlystill we heard the rushing of flying feet and the baying of dogs,and one thought it came from here, and another from there, till atlast the uproar died away and all was still. What we could do, OFinn, we did; Saba is gone.”Finn then struck his hand on his breast, but spoke no word,and he went to his own chamber. No man saw him for the rest ofthat day, nor for the day after. Then he came forth, and orderedthe matters of the Fianna as of old, but for seven years thereafterhe went searching for Saba through every remote glen and darkforest and cavern of Ireland, and he would take no hounds withhim save Bran and Skolawn. But at last he renounced all hope offinding her again, and went hunting as of old.One day as he was following the chase on Ben Bulban, inSligo, he heard the musical bay of the dogs change of a suddento a fierce growling and yelping, as though they were in combatwith some beast, and running hastily up he and his men beheld,under a great tree, a naked boy with long hair, and around him thehounds struggling to seize him, but Bran and Skolawn fightingwith them and keeping them off. And the lad was tall andshapely, and as the heroes gathered round he gazed undauntedlyon them, never heeding the rout of dogs at his feet. The Fiansbeat off the dogs and brought the lad home with them, and Finn