Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/60

 creatures, from the bird flying in the air to the wild beast creeping stealthily through the forest, knew that the robin said:

"Follow me, follow me, over hill and through wood, to a place where the Bright Ones dwell."

"Surely I will, little red-breast," said Fionn, stroking its feathers gently with one finger. "Wait for me in yonder apple-tree."

He watched the robin fly to a branch, then blew a call on his silver hunting-horn. At the sound some Fians came running from the dun, but Fionn chose only Oscur, Caeilté, and two other Fians to accompany him.

Through the day they followed the robin southward, and the sun was near its setting when they found themselves on the side of Slieve-na-man, and there the robin disappeared.

"What purpose we had in running after that bird all day I do not know," complained Caeilté. "Now it has deserted us, and we are likely to be not only houseless, but supperless, to-night."

"It would not be the first time we lacked