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Oscar turned on Finn in anger and said, 'My blood is nearer to you than to Diarmuid, but your unkindness warrants a strong reply. By the power of my hand, give him a drink without delay!'

Nine paces away there was a well of fresh water. Finn went with slow steps and took water in the full of his two hands. But then he thought of Grainne, and he let the water dribble between his fingers.'

'How could you spill it?' groaned Diarmuid. 'O hasten, for my death is near.'

So Finn fetched water and spilt it again. And Diarmuid, when he saw it, gave a piteous wail of anguish.

'I swear,' cried Oscar in his rage, 'if you do not bring water, only one of us will leave this hill alive.'

Then Finn saw the black looks of his men, and he hurried to Diarmuid with water in his hands. But the life had fled from the body, and all the men of the Fianna gave three heavy shouts of sadness and despair.'

And after a time, Finn said, 'Let us go softly now, lest Angus Og come upon us. We had no hand in Diarmuid's death, but would Angus believe it?'

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