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 with," answered Iarran, "and while we work we sing the thoughts that enter our minds. But will you not come into the cave and talk to us for a time? Our father, Conaran mac Imidel, is away, and during his absence we are lonely."

Fionn hesitated—he remembered the song he had heard them sing; then he thought how foolish it was to imagine that these girls could work harm to him or his Fians, so he and Conan stepped over the rope, which was woven from one side of the cave's mouth to the other. No sooner were they inside the cave than a trembling came over all their limbs, and the strength left their bodies. Then, before their eyes, the maidens transformed themselves into terrible, fierce-looking hags, more deformed and ugly than any one the Fians had ever seen before. They seized the heroes, and bound them fast with a portion of the enchanted woollen rope, then threw them into a corner of the cave, scoffing at them as they lay there helpless.

When the hags returned to the entrance, Conan began to taunt and revile Fionn.