The great battle went on for a year and a day. Sometimes there were
single combats, sometimes many men were engaged, but neither side could
gain a complete victory. When the year was up the High King resolved to
challenge Finn to single combat. He saw that he was losing more men then
the Fenians, and that Finn’s plan of campaign would win for him in the
end.
If he could kill Finn, all the advantage would be on his side. Also, the
death of the Fenian chief would make complete his revenge for the loss
of his daughter. Donn was not showing such wonderful bravery in offering
to meet the Fenian chief. Finn was an old man, without the great
strength of his youth. Donn reasoned that he could fight him day after
day until Finn was vanquished through weakness. He did not fear for
himself. He was protected by enchantment and could not be killed except
with one sword. That weapon was locked up in his castle at home, guarded
by his father.
Finn knew that he could not kill the High King without this sword. Yet
he accepted the challenge. He had lost so many of his men that he was
sick at heart. He welcomed the idea of getting into the fight himself.
Even if he were killed, he could still set an example of his unflinching
courage. Gaul, Ossian and Oscar were now almost recovered. Even were he
killed, he was sure Gaul would carry on the fight.
On the night before the battle between the two leaders, an enchanter
from the side of the High King entered the Fenian camp and went straight
to Finn.
“I have left the camp of the High King because he has been unjust to
me,” said the enchanter. “I am here to help you in your fight against
him.”
Finn thanked him and asked him what he could do.
“Perhaps you do not know that you can only kill him with one sword,”
said the man.
“I do know it,” answered Finn.
“Stand against him tomorrow, and by night you shall have the sword. I
shall go to Donn’s father and tell him that his son has sent me for his
sword to use in the fight against you. His father will give it to me
without question.”
“Bring me the weapon and I shall reward you,” said Finn.
The two leaders met the next day in combat. The High King had no fear
and fought recklessly. Finn knew that he must continue the battle until
the next day, so he fought with great care and was content with
defending himself from the attacks of Donn. This pleased the High King
very much. He thought that Finn had lost his strength. He went to his
ship that night sure that the next day would bring with it the defeat of
the Fenian chief.
But he had a surprise in store for him. The next morning when he came
out to the combat he found Finn coming toward him. He turned pale when
he recognized the weapon in the hands of his opponent. Fear gripped his
heart and destroyed his sense of honor. He tried to win by surprise.
Before the signal for combat was given, he struck a mighty blow at Finn.
But for the heroism of one of the Fenians he would have succeeded. This
young man rushed in and received the blow intended for his chief.
When Finn saw the death of his man as a result of treachery, a surge of
rage gave him all the strength of his youth. He raised the weapon the
enchanter had brought, and with one blow finished his combat with Donn.
Then, rallying his entire force with his old battle cry, he set upon the
leaderless hosts.
That day’s battle was the fiercest of all. When night came there was not
a man of the invading force left alive. But there were no Fenians left
to give battle had there been any more to meet. Everyone of the brave
defenders, Finn included, were dead or suffering from severe wounds.
So ended the battle of Ventry Strand. Erin was saved from the invaders,
but at a fearful cost. The story reminds one of the Trojan War, of which
most of us have read. In that great contest we read of the same
desperate heroism. Both were started because of a woman, and both
continued until all the fighters on one side were completely destroyed.