that the Fenians were stronger than they, and they went
away bearing their provisions with them--nuts, and apples, and
fragrant berries. And as they passed near the river Moy one of the
berries fell, and turned into a quicken tree. No disease or sickness
can touch anyone who eats three of its berries, and were he a hundred
years old, the eater of them shall become no more than thirty.

'Since those days the tribe has set a guard over it. He is a crooked
giant, with an eye in the midst of his forehead. No weapon can wound
him, and he can only die of three strokes from his own iron club. At
night he sleeps on the top of the tree, and by day watches at the
foot. Around him is a wilderness, and the Fenians dare not hunt there,
for fear of that terrible one. These are the berries which Fionn asks
of you.'

But Aod, the son of Andala, spoke and declared that he would rather
die seeking those berries than return to his own land with his head
bowed in shame. So he and Angus his cousin took farewell of Ossian and
went their ways, and as they drew near the forest they came on the
track of Diarmid; and they followed to the tent, where they found him
with Grania. 'Who are you?' asked Diarmid.

[Illustration: Diarmid Seizes The Giant's Club]

'We are Aod and Angus of the Clan Moirna,' said Aod, 'and it is
your head that we seek, Diarmid, son of O'Dowd. For Fionn will either
have that, or a handful of berries from the quicken tree.'

'Neither task is easy,' answered Diarmid, 'and woe to him that falls
under the power of Fionn. He it was who slew your father, and surely
that is payment enough. And whichever of those things you take him,
you shall never have peace.'

'What berries are those that Fionn wants?' asked Grania, 'and why
cannot they be got for him?' Then Diarmid told her the story, and how
the country round was laid waste. 'But when Fionn put me under his
ban,' continued he, 'the giant gave me leave to hunt there if I would,
but forbade me to touch the berries. And now, O children of Moirna,
will you fight me or seek the berries?'

'We will fight you first,' said they.

They fought long and well, but Diarmid got the better of them both,
and bound them on the spot where they fell. 'You struck valiantly,'
said Grania to Diarmid, 'but I vow that even if the children of Moirna
go not after those berries, I will never rest in my bed till I have
eaten them.'

'Force me not to break faith with the giant,' answered Diarm