Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 4

Hozu Fionn found Bran. 205
heron though it was looking on with its eyes wide open ;
and Fionn engaged him. Yet another met him, and
in the same manner Fionn questioned him, and, replying
as the others had done, he added that he could climb a
wall though it was covered with eel-skin. This one
was also engaged. Another then met them, and was
asked about the object of his journey. He replied as
those before him did, and that every stone cast he flung
from him would become a stone and lime wall. This
one was also engaged. Another met them. He was
asked, as before, about his journey and its object. He
answered that he was a good servant in search of
employment. Being asked what he could do best, he
said that he was a good marksman, and would not miss
a hair's-breadth with an arrow. Fionn engaged this
man also.
He had now his full complement of men. He him-
self, and the company of them, began to walk onwards.
In the evening they came to the King's palace. Fionn
observed that the King was sad, and questioned him
about the cause of his sadness. The King told him
that he had great reason ; that the Queen was in child-
bed, this being the third child, and the babes were
stolen shortly after their birth. Fionn said to him, " If
ever you got them kept, you will get them kept to-
night."
When the child was born, Fionn said to the one who
never slept to keep close at hand to the babe's mother.
Then to the One who could hear the grass coming
through the ground when he listened, to sit near the
other, and, " You who can take the strong firm hold, be
found near them." The musical Harper was heard
coming to the house. Every person in the dwelling
began to fall asleep. The One who never slept began
to keep them awake. Then they saw a Hand coming
in through the house towards the child. The One who