Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/116

 gifts are ours that may be of use to you some time or other."

"What are they?" asked Fionn.

"I will watch over and guard the Fianna of Ireland, both night and day," said one.

"That is a good thing for one man to be able to do," remarked Fionn; "though indeed it is not my Fians that need guarding, but their enemies."

"Well," said the second, "when they are in danger in any battle or fight I will promise that they are not overcome."

"That is a great thing for one man to promise; but each man of my Fianna is a hero, and has proved himself in many fights," said Fionn proudly. "Moreover, they are always the conquerors in any fight in which they take part."

"If anything should trouble you," said the third, "I will smooth the trouble away; and anything you ask of me I will do. I can promise that if you take us for your men the Fianna will never go hungry, for the hound we have with us is a great hunter, and as long as there are deer in Ireland he will hunt for