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

HOW FIONN WAS IN THE HOUSE OF THE
YELLOW FIELD,
WITHOUT LEAVE TO SIT DOWN OR POWER
TO STAND UP.
FlONN went out walking one day. He had only two of
his men and two of the dogs with him. One of them,
who was the master of the dogs, was called Conan. The
blinding darkness of a snow-storm overtook them, and
they looked about for a place of shelter to which they
could go. A little old man met them, and welcomed
Fionn MacCumal.
" I welcome you," said Fionn ; " you seem to have a
better knowledge of me than I have of you."
" I have that of you," said he, " and more than that, I
put it as charms, and spells, and the nine fastenings of the
fairy woman on you, that you will be to-night in the
House of the Yellow Field."
" Up and down with your spells," said Fionn.
" Neither up nor down with them," said the old man.
Where the old man was highest they were lowest,
until they reached the mouth of a cave ; they entered the
cave, and the old man said to them, " Keep to one side
of the cave." " If none stronger than you will come we
will do so," said they. " You do not know in the world,"
said he, " what may occur to you."
It was not long after this when a youth entered with a
dog, having a white spot in its forehead. He saluted
Fin-Mac-Coul.
" I bid you welcome," said Fionn ; "you know me better
than I know you." " I do know you better," the youth