"I will not go out to you," answered Dermat; "for I do not wish to bring Finn's anger on you for treating me with kindness."
He went to another narrow door, and asked who was there.
"Conan of the Grey Rushes and the Clann Morna. We are no friends to Finn; but thee we all love. Come out to us, then, and no one will dare to harm thee."
"Of a certainty I will not go out at this door," answered Dermat; "for well I know that Finn would rather see you all dead than that I should escape!"
He went to another narrow door, and asked who was there.
"A friend and a dear comrade of thine is here; Cuan, the chief of the Munster Fena, and his Munster men with him. Thou and we come from the same territory; and if need be we will give our lives in fight for thy sake."
"I will not go out to you," said Dermat; "for it would bring Finn's sure displeasure on you to act kindly towards me."
He went to another narrow door, and asked who was there.
"Finn, the son of Glore of the Loud Voice, chief of the Fena of Ulster, and the Ulster men around him. Thou and we come not from the same territory; but we all love thee, Dermat; and now come forth to us, and who will dare to wound or harm thee?"
"I will not go out to you," replied Dermat; "you are a faithful friend of mine, and your father in like manner; and I do not wish you to earn the enmity of Finn on my account."