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 hills covered by thick woods rising on either side, and the boughs of the trees met and formed an archway over the road he was travelling. Now he began to consider how much truth there might be in what Cael had said of himself. Fionn had never heard of Cael before, but if he had placed so many countries and people under tribute as he claimed to have done, then he must possess some great magical power unknown to Fionn, and there was small hope that Ireland and the Fianna would escape, unconquered as they had hitherto been.

It was unusual for Fionn to feel despondent, or to have doubts as to the result of anything in which he and his Fians might engage; but with each step that he took along the gloomy road he felt an increasing certainty that Cael would overcome Caeilté in the forthcoming contest of speed, unless some one or something unforeseen came to the aid of the Fians. Then a strange thumping sound in the distance attracted his attention, and raising his head he saw a man of most extraordinary appearance striding along the road towards