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 THE HOUSE OF THE PHANTOMS

strong bands of sea-robbers had landed in different places on the shores of Munster, and were plundering, and sometimes slaying, the inhabitants of the villages they came to. Eoghan, the King of Munster, finding that his own soldiers were unable to cope successfully with the hardy sea-pirates, sent an urgent message to Fionn, imploring him to go with some of his Fians and drive the foreigners out of Munster.

This message pleased Fionn, for he was never happier than when defending his country, or putting an end to injustice and wrong. Without delay he called together a number of his warriors and started off, and before many days had passed they had driven the marauders away. When the fighting was all over the

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