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 said, addressing himself to the great hero-chief. "Do you know in what part of this land he at present abides?"

"Your search ends here," Fionn answered; "I am the man you seek. But tell me who you are and what country you come from, and for what reason you have sought me? Do you need my help, or that of my noble Fians, for any adventurous quest you are bound on?"

"My name is Cael, and I am son of the King of Thessaly. Well I know you by name, O Fionn, and have heard of you as a very brave and valiant fighter; but I have not come to seek aid from you or any of your men—I have come to subdue you and place you under tribute. Many countries I have visited since I first took arms, and not one have I left without first placing it under terror of my sword and exacting from it a yearly tribute. Now I have come to do likewise to Ireland and the Fianna, and the sooner the combat is arranged the better pleased I shall be."

Conan mac Morna, hiding still behind Oisin