speeches, however, but occupied themselves in preparing supper, and the hillsides and hollows of Ben Edar were cheerful with the light of many fires and torches, the laughter of men, and impatient barking of hounds—who scented their supper—when Fionn and the big man unexpectedly appeared in their midst. In a minute the Fians had all gathered round the stranger, for never before, in the length or breadth of Ireland, had they seen his like. Hearing the commotion Gael strolled up also, and seeing Fionn inquired:
"Well, Fionn, have you brought Caeilté to compete with me?"
"I have not," said Fionn curtly; "but I have brought another man, who is known as the 'Carle of the Brown Coat,' and he will try his skill in running against yours."
Cael looked at the Carle, and observing his ugliness and dirty condition with deep disgust and contempt, said:
"If that is the only man you can find, Fionn, you may take him away and leave him in the place you got him from, for never, though I lived to all eternity, would I run with
