Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/136

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106
HEROES OF THE DAWN

of a demon not daring to let it loose again because of further mischief it might do.

"Oh, Conan, never have I seen you do horse-boy's work before for any of the Fianna," said Fionn, "yet now you are doing it for this miserable Fomorian, who is far inferior in every way to your companions. Now, if you'll heed my words, you will mount that horse, and gallop him up the hills, and down the valleys, and over the fields and streams until his heart is broken in his body and he dies. In that way we shall exact payment from the Fomorian for the destruction his horse has wrought on ours."

"For once you have given good advice," said Conan, as he vaulted on the horse's back, with great fury striking it and digging his heels into its ribs, but it never stirred.

"I know what is the matter with him," said Fionn. "He is accustomed to carry the great weight of his Fomorian master, and he won't move unless he has on his back an equal weight."

One Fian after another went over to the horse and mounted, until there were thirteen