Page:Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland (Curtin).djvu/270

 the child, and squeezed till the steel cracked with a loud snap, but the child did n't cry.

"Oh, there 's the making of a man in him. If he gets age he 'll be a champion," said the Gruagach.

Next day the Gruagach left Fin's castle and went to his own place and family.

Gilla na Grakin's time was now up, for he had served a year and a day.

Fin went out to wash himself in a spring near the castle, and when he looked into the spring a spirit spoke up out of the water to him and said:

"You must give back his cup to the king of the Flood, or you must give him battle in its place."

Fin went back to the castle, lamenting the state he was in.

Conan Maol said, "You look like a sorrowful man."

"Why should n't I be?" said Fin. "A spirit spoke to me from the spring outside, and told me I must give back the cup to the king of the Flood, or give him battle in place of it. Now Gilla's time is up, and I don't know what to do."

"Well," said Conan Maol, "do you go now and speak to him, and maybe he 'll do you a good turn."

Fin went to Gilla na Grakin, and told him what happened at the spring.