How joy was found a fantasy
They were but a short time sailing when the Listener stood up and said,
“’Tis I who am hearing him, ’tis I who am listening to him!” “What art
thou hearing?” said Finn. “He has just awakened,” said the Listener,
“and missed everything that was stolen from him. He is in great wrath
sending away the Bitch, and saying to her if she will not go that he will
go himself. But it is the Bitch that is going.” In a short time they
looked behind them and saw the Bitch coming swimming. She was cleaving
the sea on each side of her in red sparks of fire. They were seized with
fear, and said that they did not know what they should do. But Finn
considered, and then told them to throw out one of the pups; perhaps when
she would see the pup drowning she would return with it. They threw out
the pup, and as Finn said, it happened; the Bitch returned with the pup.
This left them at the time pleased.
But shortly after that the Listener arose trembling, and said, “’Tis
I who am hearing him, ’tis I who am listening to him!” “What art thou
saying now?” said Finn. “He is sending away the Bitch, and since she will
not go he is coming himself.”
When they heard this their eye was always behind them. At last they saw
him coming, and the great sea reached not beyond his haunches. They were
seized with fear and great horror, for they knew not what they should
do. But Finn thought of his knowledge set of teeth, and having put his
finger under it, found out that the Giant was immortal except in a mole
which was in a hollow of his palm. The Marksman then stood up and said,
“If I get one look of it I will have him.” The Giant came walking forward
through the sea to the side of the Ship. Then he lifted up his hand to
seize the top of the mast, in order to sink the Ship. But when the Hand
was on high the Marksman noticed the mole, and he let an arrow off in its
direction. The arrow struck the Giant in the death-spot and he fell dead
on the sea. They were now very happy, for there was nothing before them
to make them afraid. They put about and sailed back to the Castle. The
Thief stole the pup again, and they took it with them along with the one
they had. After that they returned to the place of the Big Young Hero.
When they reached the Haven they leaped on land and drew up the Ship on
dry ground.
Then Finn went away with the family of the Big Young Hero and with
everything which he and his men took out of the Castle to the fine house
of the Big Young Hero.
The Big Young Hero met him coming, and when he saw his children he
went on his two knees to Finn and said, “What now is thy reward?” Finn
answered and said that he was asking nothing but his choice of the two
pups which they took from the Castle. The Big Young Hero said that he
would get that and a great deal more if he would ask it. But Finn wanted
nothing except the pup. This pup was Bran, and his brother, that the Big
Young Hero got, was the Grey Dog.
The Big Young Hero took Finn and his men into his house and made for them
a great joyous merry feast, which was kept up for a year and a day, and
if the last day was not the best it was not the worst.
That is how Finn kept his children for the Big Young Hero of the Ship and
how Bran was found.
_Waifs and Strays of Celtic Tradition.
Argyllshire series. Rev. J. Macdougall._