Finn knew then that he was playing with an enchantress. He wished he was well out of his bargain, but he could not refuse to play the second game without violating the honor of a Fenian. He felt sure that the woman would win the next game.
The second game was short. As Finn imagined, the woman, by the aid of her powers, proved an easy winner. He was anxious to know what was in store for him.
“Let me know my sentence at once,” he demanded.
“Perhaps you will be sorry for your impatience when you hear it,” said the lady.
“No trouble was ever made lighter by putting it off,” declared Finn. “Pronounce your sentence immediately.”
“Very well,” she answered. “I put you under bonds to go with me and obey me in what I ask until some one throws upon you the amount of seven shovelfuls of earth. You will be under my enchantment until that happens.”
Finn did not show his dismay when he heard this hard sentence.
“It is your right to demand it,” he said. “Wait here until I give the steeds to my men and leave orders for them to follow during my absence.”
When he turned to look for the horses they had vanished. She saw his look of astonishment.
“You put me under bonds to bring the steeds, but I was not obliged to leave them there,” said the enchantress.