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 at the back of Conan. At that the horse lay down on the ground, then suddenly jerked up again, and all the Fians, both on the horse and off, laughed so much and so loud that you could have heard them miles away.

"You are treating my horse with ridicule," said the Gilla Decair, "and putting scorn on me. As for you, Fionn, when I see your great frivolity, I should pity myself if I stopped with you. Moreover, I perceive that all the good reports I have heard of you are false, and I shall think all the better of myself when I have parted company with you."

The Gilla Decair turned away, and in a very weak and weary manner proceeded to ascend a little hill before him. But no sooner was he on the other side, out of sight of the Fians, than he fastened his coat up round his waist, and ran as quickly as the stars shooting through the sky on a frosty night, or as an arrow flies from the bow that is drawn by a strong arm.

When the horse saw that his master had forsaken him, he took to galloping after him as hard as he could, and would not be stopped.