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 of such an ungenerous and horrible deed as this. The next moment Diarmuid lifted his sword, and cried:

"Had you a hundred heads, nay, a thousand, I would hew them all from your cowardly body in revenge for this ever-hateful deed."

As Diarmuid spoke Conan knew what fear was. He thought the next breath he drew would be his last, and it would have been had not Oscur stepped between them.

"Let us not linger here," said Oscur. "Every minute is precious, for I am sure that Goll is hard pressed by the witch who went to attack him. As for this coward," and he pointed at Conan, "he shall be dealt with later, and through the whole of the land his name shall be a name of scorn for ever after; but now the welfare of the Fianna must precede all personal affairs."

Very reluctantly Diarmuid let the matter rest there, and they proceeded on their journey. Through the hours of the night they travelled quickly eastward, and at last reached Ben Edar. They found Goll arming