which immediately turned its head and breathed an encircling mist about it, and when it cleared away Donn and Dubhan saw that the cups and dishes contained whatever had been asked for.
The King of Ulster's sons looked and looked again, and forgot their danger in remaining in this place of magic. They forgot, also, that they had broken the promise of solitude Fionn had given on behalf of the Fians to the three men of Norway. In a moment or two, without turning round to look at them, the man sitting by the side of the dog said:
"O hound of wonder and power, the word given by Fionn has been set aside, and those who have broken it are near."
The hound rose, and suddenly assuming its gigantic size breathed hard in the direction of the brothers. Each breath was like a strong rushing wind; with one breath their shields were blown from their shoulders into the rampart of fire, with another their weapons were wrenched from their hands and destroyed also. Then the man who appeared to be
