When a year had passed, it chanced one night that the distant yelping of a
hound woke Dermat from his sleep, and Grania too awoke and in great fear
said, 'Of a truth doth that sound forebode ill. Heed it not, but lie down
on thy bed and rest.'
Dermat lay down, but ere long he again heard the hound's voice. Then he
started up, and made as though he would go to find for himself wherefore
the hound disturbed the silence of the night. But again Grania begged him
to lie down and to give no heed to the matter.
So Dermat lay down and fell into a light sleep, and when the hound
awakened him the third time it was broad day. And Grania, seeing that his
mind was set, did not beg him longer to stay, yet, fearing danger, she
begged him to take with him his red javelin and his sword named 'The
Greater Fury.'
But Dermat, deeming the matter light, took with him his yellow javelin and
his sword 'The Lesser Fury,' and leading his faithful hound by the chain,
went forth. And he did not rest till he came to the summit of a hill where
he found Finn, and of him he asked the meaning of the chase.
And Finn answered that the men and hounds were tracking a wild boar which
had ofttimes been chased, but had always escaped. Even now was it coming
towards them, so it were well that they should betake themselves to some
safer spot.
Dermat knew no fear of the wild boar, and he would not leave the summit of
the hill where he stood.
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