158
HEROES OF THE DAWN
struck by Fionn's magic spear, and the screaming of Black Flame, as with teeth and hoofs he tried to tear and trample the weird spirits to death in his endeavours to defend his master, echoed wildly over the hills. Then, to the joy of the Fians, the pale light of dawn shone through the broken door, dispersing the darkness of the hut, and at that moment both house and phantoms disappeared from sight. But over Fionn and his comrades, exhausted and weary, a dense cloud of sleep fell, and they woke only when the sun was high in the heavens, and they heard the birds singing and their horses neighing round them.
