Page:Celtic Stories by Edward Thomas.djvu/74

 and the returned hunters at the top of the rocks above the ford. The King of the World did not venture to cross, but spread out his men upon the opposite plain. Then all the Fena in their ranks and under their beautiful banners came across to meet them, with long lances and heavy swords, broad shields and helmets with gems. As the sun destroyed the shadows among the rocks and once more wakened the hawks, where Dermat and Fatha had been standing, so Finn and his men destroyed the army of the King of the World and sent their spirits into the air. Oscar the son of Ossian slew the king himself. Every man of the enemy who could do anything ran, and the few who escaped took to their ships and sailed away. At midday Finn and the Fena lay down and rested, and the birds gathered the scarlet berries from the mountain ash trees above the ford.