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 seen them after nightfall. I have a strong desire this night to pass that fire-wall and see what is happening inside. Will you come with me?"

An indefinable feeling of danger swept over Dubhan, and he was silent for a moment. At last he said:

"If you insist on going, surely I will accompany you; but my mind misgives me about this adventure. I fear it will bring evil to us."

Grasping their shields and spears firmly, they passed through the circle of leaping flames. Then a strange sight met their eyes: one of the three men lay stretched at full length on the ground, motionless and seemingly dead, while another stood beside him, leaning on a long bright sword; the third sat beside the hound, which, to the astonishment of Donn and Dubhan, had shrunk to the size of a small dog one could carry under one's arm. On the ground by its side were silver cups and dishes, and whenever either of the two princes wished for wine or ale, or any other refreshment, he spoke to the little animal,