Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/72

 "instead of trailing through the country at your heels, who haven't as much sense as would enable you to keep your dogs with you. Although people talk of your wisdom and foreknowledge, it's little enough I see of it, and I think I've twice as much myself. Indeed I think, too, that I should make a much better chief of the Fianna than you do, and it is a perpetual wonder to me that the Fians do not depose you, and elect me in your place."

Fionn and all his party were tired and hungry, but they shouted with laughter at Conan. He was regarded as the jester of the Fianna Eireann, and no matter how rude and scoffing his speeches were, no one heeded them. Then, as there was still no sign of the dogs returning, Oisin said to Fionn:

"Can you not divine for us, father, where they have gone or what has happened to them?"

Fionn placed his thumb of knowledge to his mouth, and after a short time answered:

"Alas, of all our brave and sweet-tongued dogs who followed the deer only Bran will return to us!"

The Fians were in deep and silent despair