Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/189

 they were hungry and tired, and heavy thunderclouds began to gather on the hill-tops, while vivid flashes of lightning illumined the darkening valley they were in.

"We should seek shelter, father," said Oisin. "Our horses are tired and need rest. For my part, I should like some supper and to be out of the storm when it breaks."

Fionn looked round him and said:

"I know this place well, and we shall find no shelter here. But if we cross the hills to the south we shall come to a house, and the man who lives in it will give a hearty welcome to both us and our horses."

As Fionn spoke the valley was tilled with light for a moment, and Caeilté exclaimed:

"There is a house at the end of the valley. I saw the light gleam on it just now. It looks a poor place, but the owner will doubtless be glad to give shelter and food to the great chief of the Fianna. Let us hurry, for our horses do not like the crashes of thunder or the lightning flashes."

They galloped their horses across the glade to the house, and dismounting, opened the