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 spear passed through her, and she died. Now, to-morrow is the time appointed for the Tuatha de Danann to appear again, and, because we knew ourselves to be in great danger of defeat, we changed one of our women into the semblance of a shy fawn, and bade her seek you out and entice you to our house. It is our hope that you, the most famous warrior in Ireland, will fight with us when we encounter the Tuatha de Danann again."

"I give you my word," said Fionn, "that the one thing I am longing for more than another is the crash of meeting shields, and the sound of spears clashing together."

They all passed the night in feasting and making merry, and rested during the morning hours; but when the evening was near Donn mac Midir said to Fionn:

"Come; I will show you where we meet our enemies in battle," and he led Fionn out to the broad green field before the house.

"How many will stand up against you?" asked Fionn.

"There will be a great number," answered