Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 2

XXIX.
THE FINE.
THE Feen were once, and their hunting failed, and
they did not know what they should do. They
were going about strands and shores gathering limpets,
and to try if they should fall in with a pigeon or a
plover. They were holding counsel together how they
should go to get game. They reached a hill, and
sleep came on them. What should Fionn see but a
dream. That it was at yon crag of rock that he would
be, the longest night that came or Avill come ; that
he would be driven backwards till he should set his
back to the crag of rock. He gave a spring out of
his sleep. He struck his foot on Diarmid's mouth,
and he drove out three of his teeth. Diarmid caught
hold of the foot of Fionn, and he drove an ounce of
blood from every nail he had. " Ud ! what didst thou
to me !" — " What didst thou thyself do to me ?" — " Be
not angry, thou sou of my sister. When I tell thee the
reason, thou wilt not take it iU." — " What reason V
— " I saw a dream that at yonder crag I would pass the
hardest night I ever passed ; that I should be driven
backwards till I should set my back to the crag, and
there was no getting off from there." " "What's our fear !
AVho should frighten us ! Who Avill come !" " I fear,
as we are in straits just now, that if this lasts we may
become useless." They went and they cast lots who