to me.'

With seven battalions of his Fenians, he marched along Diarmid's track
till he reached the foot of the quicken tree, and finding the berries
with no watch on them, they ate their fill. The sun was hot, and Fionn
said he would stay at the foot of the tree till it grew cooler, as
well he knew that Diarmid was at the top. 'You judge foolishly,'
answered Ossian, 'to think that Diarmid would stay up there when he
knows that you are bent on his death.'

In spite of the heat and his long march, Fionn could not sleep, and
called for a chess-board, and bade Ossian play with him. Fionn was the
most skilled, and at length he said, 'There is but one move that can
save you the game, O Ossian, and I dare all that are by to show you
that move.' And in the top of the tree Diarmid heard him, and said, 'O
Ossian, why am I not there to show you?'

'It is worse for you to be here in the power of Fionn, than for Ossian
to lack that move,' answered Grania.

But Diarmid plucked one of the berries, and aimed it at the man which
should be moved, and Ossian moved it, and turned the game against
Fionn. And so he did a second time, and a third, when Ossian was in
straits, and he won the game and the Fenians sent up a great shout.

'I marvel not at your winning, O Ossian, seeing that Oscar is doing
his best for you, and that the skilled knowledge of Dearing, and the
prompting of Diarmid, are all with you.'

'Now your eyes must be blinded, O Fionn, to think that Diarmid would
stay in that tree when you are beneath him.'

'Which of us has the truth on his side, O Diarmid?' said Fionn,
looking up.

'Never did you err in your wisdom, O Fionn,' answered Diarmid, 'and
truly, I and Grania are here.' Then, in presence of them all, he
kissed Grania three times. 'Thou shalt give thy head for those three
kisses,' said Fionn.

So Fionn and the four hundred that were with him surrounded the
quicken tree, and he bade them on pain of death not to let Diarmid
pass through them. Further, he promised to whichever man should go up
the tree and fetch down Diarmid, he would give him arms and armour,
and whatever place his father held among the Fenians. But Angus heard
what Fionn said, and being somewhat of a wizard, came to Diarmid's
help, without being seen of the Fenians. And one man after another
rolled down the tree.

Howbeit, both Diarmid and Angus felt that this was no place for
Grania, and Angus said he would take her with him.

'Take he