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 himself for the fourth day's fight, and so weak from his many wounds that he could hardly stand.

Fionn and his companions clamoured to stand before the witch and fight her both on their own account and Coil's. But Goll refused, and only when Fionn used his authority and forbade him to go out that day—saying he did not want to altogether lose his best captain—did Goll relent, and unwillingly agreed that Oscur should take his place.

The witch stared in amazement when she saw that those whom she still believed to be spell-bound were arrayed against her; but a furious anger possessed her when she realized they had escaped from her power. With all her strength she attacked Oscur, and until the day was drawing to its close they fought together, when Oscur began to show signs of weakness because of the hurts he had received. Seeing this, Fergus, the bard of the Fianna, called out to him:

"O Oscur, son of Oisin, you who have never before been conquered, let it not be