Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/187

 king entertained Fionn and his men with hunting and horse-racing, and the evening of each day closed with a great banquet. At the conclusion of the Fians' visit the king gave them presents of gold and silver cups, inset with precious stones, and much gold and silver too; but to Fionn he gave a stately black horse, with bridle and head-piece of golden chain-work, from which hung little musical golden bells.

"There is no horse in Ireland so swift as Black Flame," said the king, stroking the proudly arched neck; "indeed in the whole world, except the wave-stepping steed of Manannan, there is none to surpass him, for he is descended from the horses of the Sidhe. I prize him more than all else I possess, but because of the service you have rendered me, O Fionn, I would not give you less than the best I have."

"The care and love you have given him he shall not lack from me," said Fionn simply. "Will you come with me, Black Flame?" he asked, taking the bridle in his hand, and the horse, as though it understood Fionn's words,