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

The Finns.
they would make a whirligig, and place her in the middle,
until she grew giddy, then the three doors of the barn
were to be opened, and any man whom she followed out
was the one who would have her. This was done, and
she followed Ceudach, who continued to live with her in
her father's house. When they were together some time,
it caused him much surprise that she was only to be seen
sometimes. One day, as they sat at meat, he said, with
a heavy sigh :
" There is many a worse warrior in Fionn's house to-
night, though I am of little account here."
" You are not at all of little account," she said.
" Yes," he said, " I am without company or inquiry,
and I would prefer to be to-day with Fionn and his
nobles. I am not wanted here, and I will go away."
"On the contrary, you are much thought of ; it was
making clothes for you that I was," and she produced
clothes made of every kind of fur.
" I will go at any rate," he said, " and yeu will stay
here."
"If you do," she said, "you will put on the clothes,
and I will not stay here ; there will be no separation."
" If you accompany me to the end of my journey it
will be on condition that you will not mention my name
so long as I live," and she agreed with him. When they
reached Fionn's house, he struck a challenge note on his
shield, "A warrior in search of service." Fionn came out
and asked him who he was and what work he could do.
'' The employment I can do is to procure and make
ready the produce of the hunt before your nobles return
next day, if you will allow me to take one side of the
hill and put them on the other side."
The pride of Fionn's nobles was offended that any one
man should presume to think lightly of them ; but when
they came home on the morrow they found the produce
of the hunt ready before them. " Tell me what wages