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 best hound the Fians ever had, or ever would have. So they rushed at the man, intending to capture him; afterwards they would kill his wild beast, and cook it for their supper. But no sooner did the Fians lay their hands upon him than all the strength ebbed from their bodies. They could neither speak nor move. Fionn alone, who had not touched him, was free from the enchantment. The man spoke again:

"Call off your hound, Fionn. Do you not see she has conquered the boar, and it has not strength to escape?"

Fionn called Bran to him, and the man walked over to where the boar lay panting on the ground. He struck it lightly with a hazel wand, and to the wonder of the Fians the fierce, ungainly beast changed instantly into a beautiful girl. He then touched himself, and from an ugly giant he became a tall, handsome man.

On seeing this Fionn drew back a step or two. He thought that perhaps the man might touch him with his magic stick, and he had no mind to be transformed into a pig, or a fly,