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 Their eyes gleamed, and they shouted with joy at thought of the coming battle; they would follow their chief gladly, even though he led them to death.

The next morning the Fians, and the King of Sorcha with his army, sought the invaders, and on the wide open plain gave them battle. That day the Fians were like destroying eagles among a flock of delicate lambs, and by sunset the destruction of the foreigners was so great that only a few escaped to tell their king they were defeated.

"But who are these fighters?" asked the foreign king angrily. "Never before have I heard of the valiant deeds of these Irishmen—no, not even in tradition—nor do I believe it now. Buckle on my armour, for I will go against them myself, and destroy them so that there shall not be one left."

When this speech came to Fionn's ears he laughed, though he was very angry, and gathering his Fians together he made a terrible onslaught on his enemies, driving all that were left alive to the shore, where they hurriedly embarked on their ships and sailed away: nor