Page:Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland (Curtin).djvu/274

 "Who is that?" asked the king, without opening the door.

"I want no chat nor questions from you," said Gilla, "but get me a breakfast."

"I have no breakfast now," said the king; "but wait a minute and you 'll get a hot breakfast from me."

That moment the signal was sounded for the armies of the king of the Flood to take Gilla na Grakin and his master.

When the armies stood ready Gilla began and went through them as a hawk through sparrows. He made one heap of their heads and another of their weapons, did n't leave a man living. Then he went into the castle and taking the king of the Flood in one hand and the queen in the other, he killed each of them against the other.

Now all was quiet at the castle. Gilla na Grakin struck the tent and went to the ship with Fin MacCumhail, who had the cup that was never dry.

They raised the sails and went over the sea toward Erin, till they saw a large ship on one side of them.

"If it 's going to help us that ship is," said Fin, "'t is all the better for us, but if 't is going against us she is, that's the bad part of it."

As the ship came near, Gilla na Grakin looked