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Finlay the hunter lived
with his sister in a lonely little house among the mountains, and
near at hand there were giants who were descendants of Beira. This
giant clan was ruled over by a hag-queen who was very old and fierce
and cunning. She had great stores of silver and gold in her cave,
and also a ;old-hilted magic sword and a magic wand. When she struck
a stone pillar with this wand it became a warrior, and if she put
the gold-hilted sword into his hand, the greatest and strongest hero
in the world would be unable to combat against him with success.
Every day that Finlay
went out to hunt he warned his sister, saying: "Do not open the
windows on the north side of the house, or let the fire go out."
His sister did not,
however, heed his warning always. One day she shut the windows on
the south side of the house, and opened those on the north side, and
allowed the fire to go out.
She wondered what
would happen and she had not long to wait, for a young giant came
towards the house and entered it. He had assumed a comely form, and
spoke pleasantly to Finlay's sister. They became very friendly, and
the giant made the foolish girl promise not to tell her brother of
his visits. After that the girl began to quarrel with Finlay. This
went on for a time.
One day when Finlay
was returning to his home he saw a little shieling in a place where
no shieling used to be. He wondered who dwelt in it, and walked
towards the door and entered. He saw an old woman sitting on the
floor, and she bade him welcome.
Sit down," she said.
"Your name is Finlay."
"That is true,"
answered he; "who are you and whence come you?"
"I am called Wise
Woman," she answered. "I have come here to protect and guide you.
Alas! you do not know that you are in danger of your life. A young
giant has bewitched your sister, and is waiting to kill you this
very day with a sharp blue sword."
"Alas!" cried Finlay,
who sorrowed to think of his sister.
Being forewarned, the
hunter was prepared. When he returned home he set his fierce dogs on
the giant, and threw a pot of boiling water over him. The giant fled
shrieking towards his cave, and Finlay's sister followed him.
Then the hunter was
left alone in the house. His heart shook with terror because he
feared that one of the older giants would come against him to avenge
the injury done to the young giant.
He had good reason to
be afraid. As soon as the young giant reached the cave, his brother
cried: "I shall go forth and deal with the hunter."
"I had better go
myself," his father said fiercely.
"It is I who should
go," growled the fierce grey hag.
"I spoke first,"
urged the young giant's brother, and sprang towards the mouth of the
cave in the gathering dusk.
Finlay waited alone
in his little house. The door was shut and securely barred, and the
peat fire glowed bright and warm, yet he shivered with the coldness
of terror. He listened long and anxiously, and at length heard a
growing noise like distant thunder. Stones rumbled down the hillside
as the giant raced on, and when he entered a bog the mud splashed
heavily against the cliffs.
Finlay knew then that
a giant was coming, and crc long he heard his voice roaring outside
the door: "Fith! foth! foogie! The door is shut against a stranger.
Open and let me in." He did not wait for Finlay to answer, but burst
the door open with a blow. The hunter stood behind the fire which
burned in the middle of the room, his bow in his hand and an arrow
ready. He fired as the giant entered, but did. not kill him. The
giant shrieked and leapt towards Finlay, but the dogs made fierce
attack. Then the hunter shot another arrow from his bow and killed
the giant.
Next morning Finlay
hastened to the shieling of Wise Woman, taking with him the giant's
head.
"Well, valiant lad,"
she exclaimed, "how fared it with you last night?"
Finlay told her all
that had taken place, and explained that it was owing to the help
given him by the dogs he was able to slay the giant.
"There is need of the
dogs," Wise Woman said, "but the day of their great need has yet to
come."
That evening Finlay
again sat alone in his house, wondering what would happen next. No
sooner did night come on than he heard a noise like distant thunder,
but much louder than on the night before. Great boulders rumbled
down the hill-side, and mud splashed on the cliffs. Another and more
terrible giant was coming, seeking to be avenged.
"Thoth! Thoth! Foogie!"
roared his heavy voice outside the house. "I smell a man inside.
Open the door that I may enter. Although you killed my son last
night, you shall not slay me."
He burst the door
open, and as he did so the house shook. Finlay feared the roof was
about to fall upon him, but he feared more when he beheld the giant
in the firelight, for the monster had five heads.
He drew his bow and
shot an arrow. The giant paused. Finlay shot a second arrow, which,
like the first, wounded the monster, but did not kill him. Then the
hunter drew his sword and smote him heavily, but his wounds were not
mortal. The giant stretched out his grisly hands to seize Finlay,
but the dogs leapt at him, and a fierce struggle took place, but in
the end Finlay triumphed, and the giant was slain.
Next morning the
hunter went to the shieling of Wise Woman, and told her of the night
of terror and the long and deadly combat. "The dogs," he said,
"helped me. But for the dogs I should have been overcome."
Said Wise Woman:
"There is need for the dogs, but the day of their greatest need has
yet to come. To-night the fierce grey hag will seek to avenge the
death of her husband and son. Beware of her, 0 valiant lad! She will
not cone raging and roaring like the giants, but gently and
mannerly. She will call to you in a meek and mild voice, asking you
to let her in. But, remember, it is her intention to take your life.
Do as I instruct you and all will be well."
Wise Woman then gave
him instructions, and he went home. When night came on there was
silence all around. Finlay waited alone, listening intently, and the
silence terrified him more than the noises like distant thunder he
had heard on the two previous nights. He shook and shivered beside
the warm bright peat fire, waiting and waiting and listening. At
length he sprang up suddenly, for he heard a rustling sound like the
wind stirring dead leaves. A moment later a weak patient voice
outside the door called: "I am old and weary. I have need of food
and of shelter for the night. Open and let me in."
Finlay went to the
door and made answer:
"I shall let you in,
old woman, if you promise to be civil and mannerly, and not do me an
injury."
Said the hag: "Oh! I
shall give no trouble. I promise to be civil and mannerly. Let me
enter your house."
Finlay opened the
door, and the hag walked in. She looked a poor frail old woman, and
seemed to be very weary. When she had curtsied to Finlay, she sat
down on one side of the fire. Finlay sat down on the opposite side.
The hag stretched out
her hands to warm them, and began to look about her. Finlay's three
dogs were prowling up and down the room, snarling angrily and
showing their teeth.
"These are fierce
dogs," the widow said. "Arise and tie them with thongs."
"The dogs will not do
any harm to a peaceable old woman," said Finlay.
"Tie them up in any
case, I pray you. I dislike angry dogs."
"I cannot do that,
old woman, because I have nothing to tie them with."
Said the hag: "I will
give you three red ribbons from my cap. They are strong enough to
hold a big ship at anchor."
Finlay took the red
ribbons from her and pretended to tie up the dogs. But he only made
them lie down in a corner.
"Have you tied up the
dogs?" asked the hag very softly.
"You can see for
yourself that they are lying now with their necks close together,"
Finlay answered.
The hag looked at the
dogs, and believing they had been secured with her magic ribbons,
smiled to herself.
She sat beside the
fire in silence for a time, and Finlay sat opposite her. After a
time the hunter noticed that she was growing bigger and bigger.
"What means this?"
cried Findlay. "You seem to be growing bigger and bigger."
"Oh, no, my darling!"
she answered. "The cold of the night made me shrink, and now I am
feeling more comfortable beside your warm bright fire."
There was silence
again, and Finlay watched her for a time and then cried: "You are
growing bigger, without doubt. You may be pleased or displeased
because I say so, but you cannot deny it."
The hag frowned and
answered angrily: "I am growing bigger, as you say. What of that?
You fear me now, and you have good reason to. You slew my husband
last night, and you slew my son on the night before. I shall
certainly kill you to-night."
When she had spoken
thus she sprang to her feet in full height, and the house shook
about her and above. Finlay sprang to his feet also, and as he did
so the hag seized him by the hair of his head. Having promised not
to injure him inside the house—a promise she could not break—she
dragged him outside. The three dogs rose, and sprang through the
door after her.
Finlay wrestled
fiercely with the hag, and the two twisted and turned hither and
thither. The mother of the young giant would have killed him without
delay, but the dogs kept attacking her, and gave her much trouble.
At length, with the help of the dogs, Finlay managed to throw her
down. She lay upon one of her arms, and the dogs held the other.
Oh! let me rise to my
feet," cried the hag, who had no power to struggle when she lay on
the ground.
Said Finlay: "I shall
not allow you to rise up."
"Allow me to ransom
myself," the hag pleaded.
Said Finlay: "What
ransom will you give?"
I have a trunk of
gold and a trunk of silver in my cave. You shall get both," she
answered.
Said Finlay: "Having
overcome you, these are mine already."
I will give you a
gold-hilted sword which is in my cave," the hag then promised. "He
who wields this magic sword will overcome any man or any beast in
the world."
Said Finlay: "The
sword is mine already."
I will give you a
magic rod if you spare me," the hag cried then. "It is a matchless
weapon. It can also work wonders. If you strike a stone pillar with
it, the pillar will turn into a warrior, and if you will put the
gold-hilted sword in this warrior's hand, he will conquer the world
for you."
Said Finlay: "Your
wand is mine already by right of conquest. What else have you to
offer for ransom?"
"Alas!" the hag
cried, "I have naught else to give you."
Said Finlay: "Then
you shall die. The world will be well rid of you."
He slew the fierce
hag, and then arose quickly and put "red moss " (sphagnum moss) on
his wounds and sores, so that they might be healed speedily. Next
morning he arose and went and informed Wise Woman of what had taken
place, saying: "It was chiefly owing to the dogs that the hag was
overcome."
Said Wise Woman: "O
valiant hero! the dogs have now had their day."
Then Finlay told
about the treasure in the cave, and said: "I know not how I can
obtain the gold and silver, the gold-hilted sword, and the magic
wand."
Said Wise Woman:
"To-night my daughter and I will go with you to the giants' cave. I
will take my own magic wand with me."
When darkness came on
the three went to the cave. They set to work and gathered armfuls of
dry heather, which they heaped up at the cave mouth and set on fire,
so that the young giant within might be choked by the fumes and
scorched by the flames. Soon the giant crawled to the mouth of the
cave, panting heavily. He came through the smoke dazed and half
blinded. Suddenly a warning light appeared on his forehead.
Finlay drew his bow
and said: "I will shoot."
"Do not shoot," Wise
Woman warned him. "A wound would only make him fiercer, and the dogs
would be of no use to you among the fire. If he is allowed to escape
out of the flare, the dogs would not see him in the darkness. I
shall strike him with my magic wand. I can strike once only, and if
I fail he will strike the next blow with the gold-hilted sword which
is in his hand."
The giant scattered
the fire to get out of the cave, but ere he could rise Wise Woman
smote him on the head with her magic wand, and he fell down dead.
When they entered the
cave they found that Finlay's sister was within. But she was dead;
she had perished in her cave prison.
Finlay took out all
the treasure that was in the cave, and carried it to the shieling of
Wise Woman. Then he tested the magic wand. He struck a stone pillar
with it, and the pillar became a warrior. Then he struck the
warrior, and he became a stone pillar again.
"This is wonderful,"
Finlay exclaimed.
"It is indeed," said
Wise Woman. Then she told him that he must visit the king next day
and inform him of all that had taken place, and she made him take a
vow not to enter the palace.
Next day Finlay set
out to the palace of the king. When he reached it he bade the royal
servants inform the king that the great giants had been slain.
Said the king: "Let
the valiant hero come within."
Finlay, however,
declined to enter the palace, and sent him word, saying: "I dare not
enter your palace, as I have a vow to fulfil."
The king came outside
and spoke to Finlay, saying: " ome within. I shall give you my
daughter, the princess, in marriage. You shall also have half of my
kingdom as long as I live, and the remainder shall be yours when I
die."
Said Finlay: "I give
you thanks, O king, but I cannot enter."
When he had spoken
thus, he walked towards a grey stone pillar and smote it with the
magic wand. The pillar became a noble warrior. Then he smote the
warrior, and he became a pillar again. The king was greatly
astonished, and exclaimed: "I have never seen anything like this
before."
He went into the
palace to give orders about Finlay, whom he wished to detain, but
when he came out again he found that the hunter had gone.
The king sent out
foot-runners and horsemen to make search throughout the kingdom for
Finlay, but they returned without having seen aught of him.
Finlay married the
daughter of Wise Woman, and he prospered. Years went past. Finlay
had a family of three sons. He loved the boys very dearly, and spent
happy days roaming with them among the mountains. All went well with
him until Wise Woman died. Then misfortune overtook him. His wife
died, and all his wealth was stolen from him by night robbers who
were in league with the giants. He lost also the magic wand, but he
kept possession of the gold-hilted sword. Nor did his troubles have
end when he became poor again, for a witch cast spells on his three
young sons and smote them with a magic wand. Then the boys were
transformed into three beautiful white dogs and lied away.
Finlay was stricken
with sorrow, and set out to search for his children. He crossed
mountains and moors, following in the tracks of the three white
dogs, but without avail. The day went past and evening came on, and
still he hastened onward. When darkness had fallen he came to a
small glen and saw a light. He walked towards the light, and found
it shone from the window of a house. At this house he asked for a
night's lodgings, and it was given to him. The old man of the house
spoke to him, saying: "You are sad and tearful, O stranger. Are you
searching for your three sons?"
Said Finlay: "Oh,
yes! Have you seen them?"
"They are travelling
over mountain and moor," said the old man. "I cannot do anything to
help you. Tomorrow night you will reach the house of a brother of
mine, and if he will not help you, I do not know what you should
do."
Finlay resumed his
journey next day, and when darkness came on he reached the house of
the old man's brother, who said: "Your sons are travelling over
mountain and moor as three white dogs. They cannot rest or stay, for
they must travel by day and by night. I cannot do anything for you.
Tomorrow night you will reach the house of my elder brother, and he
will give you advice."
Next night Finlay
reached the house of the elder brother, and he said: "Your sons will
remain under spells until Doomsday if you will not do one thing."
What is that?" Finlay
asked.
"You must have three
garments made of bog-cotton, and leave them on a hill which your
sons in dog form are now running; round. When they see the white
garments they will put them on. Each one of the garments will take
you a year to make, unless you get a band of women to collect the
bog-cotton, and a band of women to spin and weave."
"Alas!" Finlay
exclaimed, "I cannot hire workers, because I have lost all I
possessed."
"You still have the
gold-hilted sword," the man said. "It may be of service to you."
Next morning Finlay
resumed his journey with a heavy heart indeed. He went on until
dusk. Then he heard cries of sorrow and despair. In another moment
he beheld a great giant coming towards him, dragging a young man
whom he had taken captive. Finlay drew his gold-hilted sword, and
spoke boldly to the giant, saying:
"Let your captive go
free, or I shall smite you."
"Ho, ho!" laughed the
giant. "Your sword will bend like a grass blade when it strikes my
body."
As he spoke he
stretched out his right hand to seize Finlay and take him captive
also. But Finlay smote the giant with the gold-hilted magic sword,
and slew him.
The young man was
overjoyed and thanked Finlay, praising him for his valour. "Come
with me to my father's house," he said. " He is the king of this
country, and will reward you."
The young prince had
many sores and wounds, and Finlay put "red moss" (sphagnum) on them.
Then the two went together to the palace and entered it. When the
king heard his son's story, he said to Finlay: "You shall stay here,
O wanderer, and I shall make you rich and prosperous.
"Alas!" Finlay
exclaimed. "I cannot tarry here except for one night."
The queen came
forward and said: "You are sad and unhappy, O stranger! What is the
cause of your grief?"
Finlay told the queen
about his lost sons and his weary and fruitless search for them.
Said the queen: "One
of the king's shepherds has told me that every morning when he goes
out he sees three beautiful white dogs on the green hill nigh to the
palace."
"Ah! these are my
sons," Finlay cried. Then he told the queen what the elder of the
three old men had said.
The queen listened
intently, and then spoke, saying: "I shall give you mine aid. Until
I have had made the garments of bob-cotton, there will be no rest
for me, 0 stranger, because you have rescued my son from death."
Next morning the
queen sent women to collect bog-cotton and women to spin and weave.
The bog-cotton was collected speedily, for hundreds of women went
out to obey the queen's command. Then the yarn was spun; it was put
into the weaver's loom and woven. Then women sewed the garments,
which were afterwards washed and bleached until they were as white
and soft as new-fallen snow on a mountain top. The garments were
laid on the green hill when the sun was setting.
Next morning Finlay
went out early to look for his sons, and the prince whom he had
rescued went with him. They found that the white garments had been
taken away, but the boys could not be seen anywhere. Finlay and the
prince searched far and wide for them in vain, and then returned to
the palace.
A week went past, and
Finlay sorrowed greatly. Each morning he asked the shepherd if he
had seen either the boys or the white dogs, and the shepherd
answered saying: "No, I have not seen the white dogs on the green
hill."
On the seventh day
three youths appeared at the door of the palace and asked to see the
stranger who resided there. Finlay came towards them with tears
falling from his eyes.
"What ails you?" one
of the youths asked.
Said Finlay: "I am
mourning for my three beloved sons whom I shall never behold again."
"We are your sons, O
father!" the youths exclaimed together.
Finlay dried his
tears which blinded him, and then recognized his lost sons. He
embraced them and kissed them, and took them before the kin; and the
queen, who bade them welcome.
After that Finlay
dwelt in the palace of the king, and his three sons grew up and
became mighty warriors. |
