“If you do,” Fionn pleaded, “tell it to me upon your honour.”
“I will do that,” the man replied.
“Do not look any further for the rusty-kneed, slow-trotting son of Rona’n,” he continued, “but ask me to run your race, and, by this hand, I will be first at the post.”
At this the Chief began to laugh.
“My good friend, you have work enough to carry the two tons of mud that are plastered on each of your coat-tails, to say nothing of your weighty boots.”
“By my hand,” the man cried, “there is no person in Ireland but myself can win that race. I claim a chance.”
Fionn agreed then. “Be it so,” said he. “And now, tell me your name?”
“I am known as the Carl of the Drab Coat.”
“All names are names,” Fionn responded, “and that also is a name.”
They returned then to Ben Edair.