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 thirsty, and after drinking from the lake sniffed round Fionn, but, not recognizing either him or his voice, ran off again.

Some time afterwards Caeilté mac Ronan, with a number of Fians, arrived at the lake-side. On hearing that Fionn had started out by himself, they followed and had tracked him as far as the lake. There all trace of him ceased, but seeing the feeble old man lying there, Caeilté questioned him.

"Have you seen a fawn pass along here," he asked, "followed by a hunter of very noble and warlike appearance, and two swift hounds?"

"I saw them, O warrior, and it is but a short time since the hounds drank at the water there and ran down the hillside," answered the old man in a quavering voice.

On hearing this, Caeilté with his companions departed, and Fionn sorrowed exceedingly as the sound of their voices died away. It was inconceivable to him that his dearest friends did not know him, nor did he like to reveal to them that he was Fionn, the foremost champion of Ireland.