Now when Finn's two enemies were come to Allen he asked them how they had
fared, and whether they had brought with them the head of Dermat or a
handful of berries from the quicken-tree.
And they answered, 'Sharvan the giant is slain, and behold here we have
brought thee berries from the quicken-tree so that henceforth we may live
at peace.'
Then Finn took the berries in his hand, and when he had smelled them three
times he said, 'Of a truth these be the berries of the quicken-tree, but
not of your own strength have ye gotten them. Full well I know that by
Dermat hath Sharvan the giant been slain, and from his hand have ye gotten
the berries. Therefore have ye no peace from me, and now shall I summon an
army that I may march to the wood of the quicken-tree, for there surely
doth Dermat dwell.'
Now when Finn came with his army to the quicken-tree it was noon, and the
sun shone with great heat.
Therefore Finn said to his men, 'Under this tree shall we rest until the
sun be set, for well I know that Dermat is among the branches. Bring
hither a chess-board that I may play.'
And Finn sat down to play against Oisin his son, but there were with Oisin
three nobles to help him, while Finn played without aid.
With care and with skill did they play, until at length Finn said to his
son, 'I see one move, Oisin, that would win thee the game, yet is there
none of thine helpers that can show thee how thou mayest win.
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