One day Finn and his companions, while out hunting, had stopped to cook some of the game. Dermot, Conan and several other Fenians were in the party. The horses had been put into an inclosure so that they might feed while the men rested. It was during the meal that the guard, who had been put upon a nearby hill to watch for the approach of an enemy, came rushing up with the news that a great giant was coming toward them from the south. The man had hardly time to tell the news when the giant, himself, appeared.

He was tall and ungainly, with joints that bent outward at each step, as though they had been fastened together with strings. He was dressed in the skins of animals, with the hairy side out. Covering his face was a growth of the same colored hair, so it was difficult to tell where the garments left off and the skin began.

His face seemed formed no more firmly than his body. His jaw hung loosely, showing a ragged set of huge teeth. One eye was higher than the other. His nose was as rough as a ridge of hills. In one hand he held a huge club, the end of which cut deep furrows in the earth as he dragged it along. From the other hand was a leading thong attached to the halter of a horse.

This animal was no better favored than the master. Its joints seemed just as loosely hung together. Its coat was the color of the soot from a chimney. Its backbone was like a knotted clothesline with a black rug hung over it. When the animal walked, its legs bent outward at the center, while its scraggly tail and many cornered head swayed from side to side in opposite directions.

When the giant saw the Fenians he dropped the thong and approached by himself. The animal let its head drop dejectedly, and its legs bowed outward like the hoops of a barrel. It seemed about to fall to pieces.

“I am looking for Finn MacCool,” growled the giant.

Finn rose and came toward him. “I am he whom you seek,” he said.

“I have come to take service with you,” said the giant.

“If you need work, go prop up your horse,” shouted Conan. The Fenians laughed loudly.

“I do not like the behavior of your men,” said the giant, “yet do I still seek service. I have heard that you are a good master, and that you will pay a man whatever he asks.”

“I have never refused service to any man who asked it, nor have I ever refused to give a servant any reasonable wage requested,” said Finn.

“Then I would serve you,” declared the giant. “I am known as the Worthless Servant because I never give my master what he pays for. I always fail to do any task he sets me, and what I do is never done well. Moreover, I eat more than any two men and grumble unceasingly about the way I am treated.”

“You give yourself a bad name,” said Finn with a laugh. “Nevertheless, you have asked for service, so I shall give it to you.”

“Then may I turn my horse into the pasture with the others?” asked the giant.

Finn gave his permission and went back to his meal. The giant opened the gate of the inclosure, took off the halter and let the animal loose. That done, he came over to the table and proceeded to eat everything within reach.

The decrepit old horse changed entirely when its master left it. No longer was it mild and sleepy. It kicked its heels high in the air, let out a snort and proceeded to bite and kick every animal it could reach. These other horses could make no stand against the newcomer, nor could they seem to get away from it. At last the giant’s horse had injured all the animals except the one belonging to Conan. It was viciously pursuing this one.

“Look here,” roared Conan. “Go tie up that ugly brute before it injures my horse.”

The giant kept on eating. “There’s the halter,” he said between bites. “If you do not like the way he acts, go tie him yourself.”

Conan needed no second invitation. He ran into the pasture and put the halter on the great beast. As soon as it was caught, the animal resumed its dejected pose. Conan pulled and pulled with all his might, but he exerted himself without result. The horse would not move. The other Fenians gathered around and offered much advice and many taunts.

“Shame on you, Conan,” cried one. “A Fenian and unable to lead one little horse!”

“Take him by the tail,” shouted another. “Perhaps it travels the other way.”

“Better practice on a sheep until you grow up,” came from a third.

Conan lost his temper. He began abusing the men who were joking him, saying all the cutting things he could think of. His anger extended to the horse. He began beating it with a heavy club. Still the animal stood looking dejectedly at the ground and giving no sign that it felt the blows.

Fergus True Lips, the poet of the Fenians, now gave some advice.

“Many a horse will not go when pulled by the halter,” he said. “Try riding him.”

Conan sprang to the back of the horse and again tried to get it to move. This method proved no better than the other. Again Fergus made a suggestion.

“He is used to the weight of a heavier man than you. Let more Fenians get upon his back until the combined weight shall equal that of the giant.”

This advice the Fenians were glad to follow. One after another climbed up until fourteen were astride that sharp backbone. Still the animal would not move.

The Fenians were enjoying the sport. Those on the back of the animal called out jibes to those on the ground, while these made jokes at the expense of the mounted ones.

In the meantime the giant had finished eating all the food on the table. He now approached Finn in great anger.

“It seems to me that the stories I have heard of your justice were all false,” he growled.

“What makes you think so?” asked Finn.

“You stand by and see your men abusing my horse, yet you do nothing to stop them,” he complained.

“I am sure they but keep your horse from injuring their own animals,” said Finn.

“I am through with your service,” declared the giant. “If I had never come at all, still would I have been here too long. Give me my wages and let me go.”

“What wages can you expect when you have just come?” asked Finn. “All you have done is to eat a meal at my expense.”

“Again I see that the stories told of you are not true,” said the giant. “You promised to give me what wages I asked and now you refuse.”

“You have asked no wages,” cried Finn, becoming angry at the unreasonable request. “You but trifle with me when you ask pay for eating my food.”

“Since I can get no pay, I shall leave without it. Perhaps your men will give me my wages more willingly.”

He strode off toward the sea, taking long but shuffling steps. The horse moved after him, slowly at first, but with ever increasing speed. The Fenians were still on his back.

“Get off!” cried Fergus. The men tried desperately, but they were fastened as tight as if they had grown there.

“Is there no man among you who will stop this beast?” shouted Conan, when he found that they were moving away from the Fenian camp.

A new member of the band ran after the animal and seized it by the tail. Instead of stopping it, he, too, came under the enchantment and could not let go.

The giant suddenly lost all his awkwardness. He began to run with the speed of the wind. The horse also became full of life and fleet of foot.

“I charge you, Finn,” called Conan, “not to take any rest until you have rescued us.”

Before the startled Fenians could realize what had happened, the giant and the horse were at the edge of the sea. They entered the water at full speed. As they advanced, the waves parted for them and closed again after they had passed.

Thus disappeared the Worthless Servant and the fifteen Fenians he had taken for his wages.

II.

As soon as they had gone, Finn began preparations to go to their rescue. He asked Fergus for advice as to where they might find a suitable ship. Fergus replied that there was one about five miles distant. Finn called Dermot and a small body of the bravest of his men together and told them that they were to accompany him. All were delighted to go upon such an adventure.

The party had gone but a short distance when they met two handsome young men, dressed in green garments and without any weapons of war. One carried a light wand in his hand.

“We crave to enter thy service, O Finn,” said the elder of the two.

“Very well,” answered Finn. “We are on a difficult errand and need only men of experience, but you may join the Fenians in our rear.”

“It is to go with you that we seek service,” said the stranger.

“Have you any special talents that would be of value to us on a difficult adventure?” asked Finn.

“I can be of great service, if your adventure takes you upon the sea,” replied the elder. “I am called Quick-Builder. If you cover your heads for the space of a minute I can cause the harbor to be filled with ships of every description. After you have selected the one you wish, all the others will disappear.”

“That would be a great help to us now,” said Finn. “And what can you do?” he asked the younger.

“I am called Keen-Sight,” the boy replied. “I can follow any track on land, air or water. I can trace the eagle to her nest or the fish upon his journey.”

“Such a talent will be of great assistance,” said Finn. “I take you both into my service. Quick-Builder, produce your ships.”

The Fenians obeyed the command to cover their heads. They heard the sound of the young man’s wand strike on wood. Then they looked when he bade them. They were greatly astonished to find that he had done what he claimed. Finn chose the boat which suited his needs. He ordered his men to get on board and take the oars. No sooner were they on this ship than every other one disappeared.

Then the lad, Keen-Sight, took his place in the prow of the boat and called directions to the steersman. They sped on over the ocean until they were stopped by a high precipice of rock, seemingly the edge of a great island.

“Here ends the track,” announced Keen-Sight.

“No horse could have climbed that cliff,” declared Fergus.

“No,” answered Finn. “But a horse could pass under it. Noted you not the way the waves parted for the giant and his horse? I greatly believe that we are dealing with the subjects of King Under the Waves.”

“If that is so, it would seem to be our duty to get on shore and see where we may go,” said Fergus.

“If any man can climb that cliff it is Dermot,” declared Finn.

Dermot looked at the face of the precipice and noted a rocky shelf about half way up. From that on there seemed to be footholds.

“I think I can scale it,” he said.

He had the Fenians clear off the length of the deck. Then taking his sword and holding it in front of him like a pole, he ran from stern to prow. He used the sword as a lever and sprang lightly to the rocky shelf. The Fenians set up a cheer at the splendid feat. Dermot waved to them and soon disappeared from view.

Once over the rocks he found himself in a pleasant country of trees and little brooks. He could see neither houses nor people. He walked on and on without seeing a living thing. At last, tired and thirsty, he stopped to drink from a well of clear water beside the road. As he touched his lips to the water a man appeared beside him.

“How dare you drink from my well?” he demanded.

“I could see no harm in taking a drink from an open well,” said Dermot.

“Then you are little better than a thief,” declared the newcomer.

“You are very uncivil to say so,” answered Dermot. “I shall not leave this place until I have had satisfaction for that insult.”

He grappled with the man and wrestled with him for a decision. When it seemed that he must win the victory, the man rolled into the well and disappeared.

The next day the same thing happened. The same man appeared, the same struggle was gone through with, and once more he disappeared in the waters of the well. Dermot had no intention of leaving until he had beaten this fellow. On the third day, when the time for disappearance came, Dermot clung to him and went into the water with him.

Judge to his surprise to find himself not in a well at all, but in a beautiful country with wealth and plenty on every side. Dermot did not have to guess where he was. Every Fenian had heard of this land, but no mortal had ever entered it before. He was in the Land Under the Waves. The well had been the entrance.

When Dermot released his hold on the man with whom he had been struggling, the fellow lost no time in getting away. With the start he got by his quickness he soon disappeared among the trees. Dermot had to go on alone. Before long he found himself before a beautiful castle. At the gate was a guard of seven warriors on either side. The Fenian had only time to draw his sword before they all set upon him.

But these under-sea champions were no match for him either in strength or quickness. He quickly defeated the fourteen guards and many others who came out of the castle to their aid. In the evening, tired from his struggle with the man at the well, and his fighting at the castle gate, he went into the woods and was soon sound asleep.

He was awakened by the touch of a hand on his shoulder. He quickly sprang to his feet, his hand on his sword, to face this newcomer. It was a knight in armor, fully equipped with weapons, but the smile on his face showed that he had not come for fighting.

“Do not draw your sword, for I am a friend,” he said. “Come with me so that you may have food and a better and more comfortable bed.”

“I would be foolish did I refuse such an offer,” replied Dermot. “Lead the way and I will follow.”

The knight led him into a small castle some distance away and took him into the banquet hall, where plenty of food and drink was still on the table. Thirty other knights rested on their beds in the room, and some rose on the entrance of the Fenian. One was the man who had wrestled with Dermot.

“You may be a friend, but you have brought me to an enemy,” he said to his guide.

“He is not your enemy,” replied the knight. “This man was the messenger I sent to bring you here.”

Dermot thought back over the three days of wrestling and of the way the man had left him to face the guards of the castle.

“I should say that your messenger had some rather rough and unsatisfactory methods,” said Dermot. “If he was to lead me here, why did he not tell me so?”

The knight smiled. “I understand your surprise. It was necessary for him to do just as he did, for it is only possible to enter the Land Under the Sea in the manner in which you came. But sit down and eat. I shall explain as you satisfy your hunger.”

Dermot needed no second invitation. The knight sat down at the table with him while the others went back to their couches.

“I am known as the Knight of Valor,” his host began. “And I am the rightful ruler of this land. By a trick my brother has seized the kingdom and is reigning in my stead. All he has left me is this small castle and the thirty knights whom you see about you. When I heard that Dermot of the Fenians had landed on the island, I determined to enlist your help. I sent one of my men to the well to wait for you. The result you know.”

“If I was to be brought here to help you, why was I left alone to face that castle guard?” asked Dermot.

“That is a fair question,” answered the knight. “You see, I had heard great tales of your strength, but I did not know if it was greater than that of the men of our land. That castle is the stronghold of my brother, and those were his men. Your combat with them showed me that if you will help us, we can wrest the kingdom from his wicked hands. My people are suffering from my brother’s rule; will you help me to free them?”

“You have been fair with me,” answered Dermot. “I will help you. I will not hold it against you that your guide deserted me before the castle, since that combat leaves us fewer men to meet tomorrow.”

“Your willingness affords me great pleasure,” said the knight. “I am sure that tomorrow night will see me once more upon my rightful throne.”

Dermot finished his meal and then was shown a bed where he spent the night.

With the first streaks of morning light, the little castle became a scene of busy preparations. Each of the thirty knights buckled on his armor, took up his shield and announced himself willing to follow Dermot’s orders. The Knight of Valor, fully armed, took his place at Dermot’s side, and the little army went forth to battle. When they approached the castle of the false king, Dermot called out:

“Come forth, false king, and fight me for your kingdom!”

This the usurper was afraid to do. He knew better than to risk his life against such a hero. For answer he sent out all his forces and only appeared when his warriors formed a protecting wall between him and his enemies. There he remained in safety. Dermot placed his men in the form of a wedge with himself in the lead and went into battle.

Now, the army of the false king was only loyal to him because he had paid them to place him upon the throne. Then, too, they feared this terrible Fenian, who had faced them the night before. On the other hand, the Knight of Valor and his men, cheered by having such a fighter on their side, fought as they had never fought before. In a short time the wedge went through the opposing forces, leaving the wicked brother unprotected.

This man did not wait any longer. He turned and ran into the palace for safety, closing the gate behind him. His forces would not keep up the struggle after their leader left them. They threw down their weapons in token that they were through.

Dermot determined to get hold of this brother. He did not stop for the gate, but used his sword as a lever and jumped over the wall just as he had gone up the cliff. He caught the pretender before he could get across the courtyard, and brought him out where his men could see him. There Dermot released him and once more asked him if he was ready to fight for the right to retain the kingdom.

The wicked fellow’s knees shook to the rapid beating of his heart. They trembled so he had to get down on them to make them support him at all.

“Spare me! Spare me!” he cried.

“Are you willing to give up the throne to your brother, the rightful king?” asked Dermot.

“I am if my men are satisfied,” answered the man, still on his knees.

For an answer his men gave a cheer for the Knight of Valor. Then Dermot picked out thirty men for the false king.

“You shall have what you gave your brother,” he said. “Now, get up and lead your men to the castle you set apart for him. That shall be your kingdom.”

Then the Knight of Valor led his new friend into the castle. They were served by the happy people, happy in the return of their own kind ruler. A joyous celebration was held in Dermot’s honor, but that hero cut it short by saying:

“Now that I have helped you, you can show your gratitude by giving me some assistance. I would find the giant with the bony horse who took away fifteen of the Fenians. Also, I would get back to Finn with what information you can give me.”

“I suppose you mean the man who calls himself the Worthless Servant?” asked the Knight of Valor.

Dermot nodded his head.

“Then I can help you. That man was no giant, but a friend of mine, who took that shape to get some of the Fenians to come over and help him. He is about to be attacked by Donn, High King of the World, and needs all the help he can command. Tomorrow you and I shall go at the head of my army to give him assistance. You will find Finn and your companions already there. You see, we worked together. Keen-Sight and Quick-Builder are our men, whom we sent to bring you here. Tomorrow you shall see them all.”

III.

Finn and his companions had waited but a short time after Dermot had disappeared over the cliff. The lad, Keen-Sight, had kept quiet until Dermot was out of sight. Then he turned to the Fenians and said:

“Though the horse and men went in here, I think I can find you a harbor which will lead us to the same place.”

“That you should have told us before Dermot left,” said Finn.

Keen-Sight made no reply.

“Well, it does not matter,” said Finn. “Guide us to the harbor. Dermot will be safe and will find us later.”

Again the men bent to their oars and rowed in the direction given by Keen-Sight. Some days later they came to a broad harbor in which a thousand ships like theirs could have anchored. The Fenians made fast the boat and sprang ashore. Still guided by Keen-Sight, they journeyed a short distance toward the interior of the country.

Suddenly a large army appeared, coming toward them. The Fenians drew up in battle array, but Finn told them to have no fear.

“For,” he explained, “do you not see Dermot in the lead? It is easy to see that he is not a prisoner.”

When Dermot saw his friends, he let out a loud shout of joy and hastened to meet them. The Knight of Valor came up and extended a welcome to the Fenians.

“We are in pursuit of the man who calls himself the Worthless Servant,” said Finn. “Can you give us directions for finding him?”

“I can do that,” said the Knight of Valor. “We are now but a short distance from his palace.”

Then they all fell in together and walked on until they saw before them a handsome castle.

“It is here the man lives,” said the Knight of Valor. “He is really the king of a large country, but took the shape you saw him in to enlist your aid.”

The Knight of Valor raised his voice and gave a loud cry. Soon the gates of the castle opened. Out came the ugly old giant followed by his horse. On its back still rode the fourteen Fenians, while the fifteenth still clung to its tail.

“Have you been like that ever since you left us?” asked Finn, when the horse approached near enough for the men to hear his voice.

“We have not,” answered Conan. He and the others slipped off the horse’s back and came to greet their comrades. “We have been treated like kings. We merely came out in state so that you might not forget how we arrived.”

“Your pardon, O Finn,” said a voice.

Finn looked at the spot where the giant had been standing, but saw a strong young champion in his stead. “I am Avarta, ruler of this land. If I played the part of the Worthless Servant, it was to bring here enough Fenians to give us help in the hour of need. My messengers have informed me that the High King of the World is about to attack us. Without your help I would be defeated; with it I shall conquer.”

“Why did you not request my help, if you needed it, instead of taking away my men and forcing me to come after them?” asked Finn.

“Had I asked you to come to a far country to fight, you would have refused. You would have told me that it was your duty to remain in Erin to defend it,” said Avarta. “But I did know that you would not refuse to come to rescue your own men, and that you would help if you were here.”

“It is true,” said Finn. “I hold no hard feelings against you. My men and myself will do our part against the High King of the World.”

Then the leaders went into the banquet hall of the castle. The other warriors were quartered in the spacious courtyard. Avarta caused everything in his power to be done for their comfort. For a day and two nights they feasted, rested and waited for the arrival of the enemy.

IV.

On the morning of the second day after their arrival, a great fleet anchored in the harbor. The men immediately began landing in great numbers. At their head was the son of the High King, and with him was his sister, Teasa, who wanted to see her brother capture the castle.

Finn placed his men in battle array; giving to the Knight of Valor and his warriors the defense of the right wing, and to Avarta and his army the duty of holding the left wing. With his Fenians, Finn took the center, where the fighting would be the heaviest.

The two armies met in deadly combat. The two wings held their own with difficulty, being about evenly matched with the enemy. But the Fenians, with desperate valor, overwhelmed the enemy center with great slaughter. It was a great surprise to the High King’s son. He rallied his men bravely and gave them an example of valor, but it was useless. Finn was everywhere, now engaging and defeating a score of warriors, now helping with one division of his men and now another. Dermot, the pride of the Fenians, was always in the thick of the struggle. His flashing sword made a circle of steel about him. No man could stand against him.

Teasa, who had come to see the prowess of her brother, forgot all about him in watching the deeds of Finn. She admired his fair hair and manly bearing, and his bravery appealed to her even more strongly. It was while watching him drive back her father’s army that she fell deeply in love with him. When her brother gave orders for his men to fall back from the unequal struggle, Teasa left her own side and went over to the Fenians. She found Finn and said to him:

“I have watched you in the fight today, O Finn, and my heart called out to you, even against my own brother. I pray you take me to Erin and make me your wife.”

“That I cannot do, fair maiden,” said Finn. “I have no need of a wife.”

“You cannot refuse me,” she cried. “No true champion should refuse a maiden when she offers herself to him.”

Finn was honest in his refusal. He still mourned for Saba. Anyhow, he knew that to take the daughter of the High King would cause a great deal of trouble.

“You had better go back to your father while there is still time,” he told her kindly.

“That I will not do,” declared Teasa. “Already my father knows that I have come over to his enemies. If I go back he will kill me. If I cannot have your love, I can claim your protection from those who would kill me. I put you under bonds to take me with you to Erin.”

“I beg you to release me from such bonds,” said Finn. “Nothing but trouble can come of it.”

But the maiden insisted that she claimed his protection as a Fenian, and he could not refuse her.

When Donn saw the retreat of his son and his army, he called a council of his wise men to see what it was best to do.

“This is no time to attack Avarta,” said one of them. “The Fenians are with him, and we have not men enough to stand against them. The best thing for us to do is to retire and wait a more favorable time, when the men of Erin have gone home.”

This advice was repeated by the others of the council. Just then the son came on board and approached his father.

“We are defeated,” he said. “I have ordered my men to retire, lest they all be killed and we gain nothing by it.”

“It is well,” said Donn. “But tell me, why is not your sister with you? She went with you to battle and I do not see her returning.”

The son hung his head, afraid to tell his father the truth.

“Speak, my son!” cried Donn. “She cannot be killed! Surely the Fenians do not make war on women!”

“Far better had she died,” said the young man. “She has left us and gone to the Fenians.”

Then the High King lifted up his voice in a long cry of grief and anger. Teasa was very dear to him. He could not bear to think that she had gone over to the enemy.

“I am sure she is held against her will,” said Donn. “Send heralds to this Fenian and order him to surrender our daughter to us.”

But the heralds came back with the word that Finn refused. Then Donn stood out upon the highest deck and raised his arms above his head in a vow of vengeance.

“Hear me, O Finn!” he called. “You have taken my daughter from me, and I vow that I will be revenged upon you. Though it take me all the rest of my life to prepare, and though I must get every king in the world to help me, I vow I shall not rest until I have come to Erin and have punished you for this deed.”

Then the High King raised the sails of his fleet, his men bent to their oars, and the battle fleet sailed out of the harbor.

Dermot turned to his chief. “I fear that trouble is about to come upon Erin and the Fenians,” he said. “Chew your thumb and see if it is not so.”

Finn shook his head sadly. “I have no need of my thumb to tell me that what you say is true. Yet, the maiden claimed my protection, and I could not, under our rules, refuse her.”

“That is so,” agreed Dermot.

V.

There was great rejoicing in the land when the fleet sailed away. Avarta thanked the Fenians for their aid and gave them many rich gifts. Finn was satisfied. Avarta, however, was willing to make still further amends.

“Since I took away your men by an enchantment, it is only fair that you should make an award for me to fulfill,” he insisted.

“There is no award I would require of you,” said Finn, who never asked favors of any man to whom he had given help.

“Stay, O Finn,” cried Conan. “You did not have to ride all day on that bony back, which was sharper than a sword. If there is an award to be made, I am the one entitled to it.”

Finn would have said no, fearing that Conan would ask for gold and thus put shame upon the Fenians. But Avarta turned to Conan politely and told him to name his award.

“It is this,” said Conan. “You are to bring out your bony horse and place upon its back fourteen of your own nobles. You are to bring them to Erin, so some one else shall feel the pain of that journey.”

The Fenians roared with laughter. They were glad that Conan had not yielded to his desire for gain, but had made a good award.

“And I wish to add the sentence, that Avarta himself shall cling to the animal’s tail,” said the young Fenian who had made the trip in that manner. “Only in that way can he appreciate the pain I bore in coming.”

“The award is just,” declared Avarta. “Get on your ship. When you arrive in Erin we shall be with you.”

So the Fenians got on their ship and went back as rapidly as sails and oars could take them. When they landed in Erin the ship disappeared, but where it had been, the waves parted and the great horse, with fourteen nobles on its back and the Worthless Servant clinging to its tail, came out on the shore.

“I have carried out the award,” said Avarta.

“You have,” said Finn. “Now, I pray you, let your men dismount that all of you may partake of our hospitality.”

There was no answer. Where the horse and men had stood there was nothing. They had disappeared as a mist taken up by the sun.