And Oisin moved the man and won the game.
Yet again did Finn play against Oisin and his friends, and once more had Oisin to make but one move to win the game.
Then did Dermat throw down a berry as before and it struck the right man.
And Oisin moved the piece and won the game.
A third time did Oisin, son of Finn, play against his father, and it fell as before, for once more he won with Dermat’s aid. And this time the nobles raised a mighty cheer.
But Finn said, ‘No marvel is it, Oisin, that thou hast won the game, for of a surety thou hast had the aid of Dermat who dwelleth amid the branches of the quicken-tree.’ And looking up he said, ‘Have I not, Dermat, spoken truth?’
‘I have never known thy judgment err, O King,’ replied Dermat. ‘In truth I dwell here with Grania in the hut that was built by Sharvan the giant.’
And they looked up, and through an opening in the branches they beheld Dermat kiss Grania three times, for the Princess was in great fear.
Then was Finn exceeding wroth, and he bade his men surround the tree, each holding the hand of each so that Dermat might by no means escape. And he offered great reward to any man that would go up into the tree and bring to him the hero’s head or force him to come down.
One of Finn’s men then spake: ‘It was Dermat’s father that slew my father, therefore will I go up into the tree.’ And he went up.