ian took the stag-hound from Fionn's hand and put it into Grania's,
and then followed after the Fenians.

When they had gone, Grania uttered a loud and grievous cry that was
heard far round, so that the people came to her and asked her what was
the matter, and when she told them that Diarmid was dead they sat down
and wailed also. After that Grania sent five hundred men to bring her
the body of Diarmid.

That night it was shown to Angus in a dream that Diarmid was dead on
Ben Gulbain; and he was carried by the wind, and reached the place at
the same moment as Grania's men, who knew him, and held out the
insides of their shields to him in token of peace. And they sent up
three exceeding great cries, which were heard even at the gates of
heaven.

Then Angus spoke: 'There has not been one night since I took you, an
infant of nine months old, to the Boyne that I have not watched over
you, O Diarmid, until last night, when Fionn did you basely to death,
for all you were at peace with him.' And he told Grania's men he
himself would bear Diarmid's body to the Boyne. So the dead man was
placed on a gilded bier with his javelins over him pointed upwards,
and the men of Grania returned to their mistress, and said as Angus
had bade them.

The first thing she did was to send messengers to her sons, who lived
each in his own house, and bade them come with their followings to the
house of Grania, for that their father Diarmid had been foully slain
by Fionn. They all came forthwith, and after they had eaten and drunk
she pointed to the weapons and arms of Diarmid, and said they were
theirs, and by them they should learn all arts of brave men, till they
should reach their full strength, and after that they should avenge
themselves on Fionn.

The sayings of Grania were whispered in the ears of Fionn, and a great
fear fell upon him. He called his Fenians together, and told them how
the sons of Diarmid had gone to their mother, and returned to their
own homes again. 'It is to rebel against me that they have done this,'
and he asked counsel in the matter. 'The guilt is yours and no other
man's,' spoke Ossian, 'and we will not stand by you, for you slew
Diarmid in time of peace.'

Without Ossian, Oscar, and their men Fionn knew that he could not
conquer Grania, and resolved to try what cunning would do. So he
slipped away secretly, and went to her house, and greeted her with
soft words, in reply to her bitter ones. But so cunning wa