they came nearer, then he hurried down the hillside to tell Fionn about them. Before he could speak Fionn said:
"What is that noise I hear? It is like the sound of sticks on a stretched skin."
"It is that indeed," said Finnbane angrily, "and I wish I had the maker of that noise under my hands for a few minutes."
Just then the big man, still tugging at his slow-moving horse, came into sight, and the Fians watched him with great amusement as he approached. When at last he reached them he bent his knee before Fionn in greeting, and Fionn, after regarding him in silent astonishment for a moment, said:
"Surely you do not belong to this country, for in all our years of wandering we have never seen one like you before. Tell us, what is the name of your clan?"
"I do not know much of my clan," the stranger replied gruffly, "nor do I want to; it is quite enough for me to mind myself and this sulky old horse, without troubling about any clan at all."
"Truly that horse is a wonder to look
