The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-14
always. When nearing Firms castle Conan
began to shout and to screech.

II will not" said Salnda- "Ill put 1t down
quietly and put yourselfdown without trouble.
and don't be frightening the whole country"
When they came to the castle Salada put tho
load down easily. hut " he did Itself he shook
the castle to it's foundation. Salnda cut the
tree with n knife that he had. and tho knife
had edge to shave n man or. n hare. and they
asleep. without waking them. and what 1t
didn't take at the first cut It was sure to take
Mt the second. Salada began with this knife
to clean the gamo and prepare 1t for dinner.
When he had all ready he asked: Whore Is
tho water p
There is n tub before you.' said Granya:
take that to the sprinE and iring water"
The tub was never filled at the spring with
out four men to bring II back to the castle.
Salada caught the tub. and soon he had water
enough In the kitchen. When the seven COM
panies OF Fcnians came homo the dinner was
ready before them. Fin sat ut the head Of the
table. and. putting his hand to his side. missed
the knife that he had from ri Fohin's daughter.
MY knife lie lost" said Fin.
Chew the thumb" said Oscar. Ito know
where you left 1t and where It Ia now"
He chewed the thumb to tho marrow and
saw that the men Of Lochlin had the knife and
they In Beulinnse: that the knife was down in
a drinking cup OF great virtue and they were
all drinking out Of that cup. They got tho
knife through an old druid. and now they had
bonfres built and were rejoicing.
The prophecy was that Fin would die after
eating the third time and the knife COMO from
him. When they found the knife In the hills
the LochliD mon thought that Fin was dead
and that they'd have all Erin to themselves
from that out.
When he found whore tho knife was. Fin
wouldn't put food or drink In his mouth.
Eat your dinner." said Oscar.
II will cat now" eaid Fin. and then I'll
not eat or drink forthree days. Unjust be teach
ing and advising the Fenians all that time"
Fin had a mantle from the eastern world.
and when spread 1t grew till 1t covered the Fe-
mans cntirely: not a man OF them ever walked
when it was over him.. While they were sleep
ing a sentry walked around watching. and
when the time was up another man would be
taken from under the mantle and put In his
place. Fin called to his army at the hour OF
sleep and asked: who is the champion to
watch. as all are tired after the hunting ?"
WHO Is to watch" said Conan. " but the
strange boy that hired with you to-day"
Il will watch" said Salada. " but I hope
you'll not ask mo to stand sentry again till
every man takes his turn"
Il promise you that" SD Fin: and all you
have to do is to take your sword and walk
around the men and they sleeping"
The Fenians lay down. Salada spread the
mantle. and 1t grew till It covered the army.
They were not long sleeping. when Bran.
Fins hound. came the way. and she had as
much knowledge as any man Of tho forces.
She began to howl and lament.
why are you lamenting ?" asked Salada
Being q stranger. tits little you are
troubled" said she. that my master Is to
die when he has three meals eaten and his
knife gone from him."
III there was any one to watch I would 60
for the Lnife.'' said Salada.
will watch In your place" said Bran.
Il will 60 then. and II trouble comes on you
screech: no matter whore I'll be I'll hear you:
but give me as much time as you can before
the second screech. for III DO making toward
you. I'll be with you at the third screech.
never fear. Now. whnt way am l to goT
Keep your right side to the sea till you 60
to tho far west Of Erin: there you'll see a blaze
Of fire on an island a mile from the main land:
tits to that island you must CO."
on went Salada then and he never stopped
till he came to Cnoc Drum. From the top OF
that mountain he saw fires on Bealinnse.s and
it wasn't long after that till he came to the
water and spranE to the island with ono rum
ming leap. He walked up to tho fire. where a
table was laid. On the table was the drinking
cup. the knife at tho bottom Of 1t and drink In
tho CUP. Whoever Of tho Lochlin men drank
from the cup would I'll 1t again and leave 1t
for his neighbor. There was a great crowd
there and Snlada took the cup like another.
drank what was in it. and poured tho knife
into his mouth at tho same timo. Not knowing
the custom Salada put down tho cup without
filling it, and slipped away quickly. Tho next
man. finding the cup empty. struck the man
above him O blow and cursed him for breaking
the custom.
Il filled the cup" said the other.
you did moi" said the first man.
is the knife in the cup ?" asked the druid.
why not1" answered the Lochlin men.
They looked. and II they did there was no
knife in tho cup.
There" said the druid. lis Fin Mac Coos
courier. Isee him and tho knife with him.
wen have him here soon." said the men.
Hes out Of sight long ago." said the druid.
Salada never stopped till he WAS on Cnoc
Drum. Then he heard a screech from Bran.
Woe to me-" said Salada. II was guarding
Fin and his men. and l left them to the caro- Of
a dog"
On he went with what strength was In him.
and when he was ut Murrocha's Gap he heard
the second Screech. When he was almost at
Ben Eadain she gave the third scresch.
What trouble Is on you p asked Salada.
An old bag came since you left me and she
is striving to xii! Fin and his m on. and tits
torn and bleeding 1 am trying to save them.
and wouldn't call you but for the danger"
Where 10 the bag ?" nske cd Salada-
"she is inside in tho kitchen"
salada caught the bag. gave her a blow Of
his foot and sent her spinning through the mir
to the pinnacle OF an old tower half a mile
of. She stopped above on the tower. sitting
there for herself without power to come down.
salada prepared breakfast for the FenIans.
"'Tis time to rise" said he. taking The mantle.
As soon as the mantle was raised every man
woke and sprang up. They sat down to break
fnst. Fin ut the head Of the table. He took
neither bite nor sup. but putting his hand I'M
der his chin he drew a heavy sigh.
II 1t Is the knife that's On your mind. here
1t Ia for you." said Snlada.
Fin was In great heart and courage when he
got the knife.
Its thankful I am to YOU" said he. for
bringing this without trouble or loss Of mon"
After breakfast he took SalaGa outside.