THE HOUND 
 OF CULLAN 
 
 F A 
 
 i 

 
 ' 
 

 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN
 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR 
 
 " EVOLUTION OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES." 
 
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 THE 
 
 HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 BY 
 
 F. A. M. WEBSTER 
 
 AUTHOR OF "BRITAIN IN ARMS," 
 
 ''EVOLUTION OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES/' 
 
 &C. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 McBRIDE, NAST & CO., LTD 
 
 1918
 
 TO 
 
 MY CHILDREN 
 
 DICK AND JOAN 
 
 THIS ROMANCE 
 OF OLD IRELAND 
 
 IS 
 LOVINGLY DEDICATED 
 
 2057817
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CMAMER 
 
 . . . .> 
 
 IV . . . . 4B 
 
 V .. - . . 62 
 
 79 
 
 vi . . . . ; 
 
 VII 
 
 . . . 'T . - - 
 
 ix . . ...- % 106 
 
 x . "... 120 
 
 xi ....... 136 
 
 xii . . . .- - 1 
 
 xm . . . . . '. .168 
 
 ..... ." 191 
 
 xv ....... v - 222 
 
 xvi ..... -242 
 
 xvn .... 257 
 
 xvin .... 278
 
 THE 
 
 HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 A TALE OF THE ULTONIAN 
 CYCLE 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 ABOUT the time of the coming of Christ there dwelt 
 in Ireland at the Court of Connor Mac Nessa, King 
 of Ulster, a little lad named Setanta, born to fame 
 of Cathbad's daughter Dectera. Of him it was pro- 
 phesied by the Druid Morann that " His fame should 
 be in the mouths of all men; charioteers and warriors, 
 ICings and sages should tell his deeds; and he should 
 win the love of many; the child should avenge the 
 wrongs of his people, guard the fords, and decide all 
 quarrels." 
 
 Early in his childhood Setanta began to surpass all 
 his companions, sons of chieftains and princes, in the 
 manly and warlike games in which the noble children of 
 the heroic age were trained 
 
 Barely had he reached the age of eleven years when 
 one day whilst engaged in a game of hurley in the court- 
 yard of the Castle, his prowess was noticed by the King, 
 who with all his retinue of nobles was passing upon his 
 way to visit Cullan the Smith, at his forge near Quelgny. 
 Drawing rein, the Monarch watched the children, and, 
 Rinsing to hit noblei, "I" faith," quoth he, " h is a
 
 10 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 noble lad, and worthy to carry on the traditions of our 
 Ancient Race." Turning to the boy he said: 
 
 Setanta, quit thy play and come with us this day 
 to visit Cullan ! ' ' 
 
 The boy, however, was unwilling to leave the game 
 unfinished, and so replied, " Indeed, I will, my Lord, but 
 I crave thy gracious leave to finish first the game ; which 
 done, I follow swiftly in thy wake to join the joyous 
 band at Quelgny." 
 
 Smilingly the glittering cavalcade moved on, leaving 
 the children at their play, and Setanta to follow later, at 
 his will. 
 
 Arrived at the dun of Cullan, the King and his 
 courtiers entered joyously upon the feast prepared for 
 them, and with many a merry jest and well-sung stave 
 the time was passed. 
 
 At evenfall the fortress gates were barred and the 
 great hound of Cullan loosed to guard his master's 
 dwelling from swift surprise; but, in the pleasure of the 
 feast, the coming of Setanta was forgotten. 
 
 Now legend relates that so stark and strong was the 
 hound of Cullan that no ten men armed with spears and 
 bucklers dared face him in his rage. What chance, then, 
 could there be for the little lad, at that same moment 
 tramping gaily over the hills, cheering his heart upon his 
 lonely way with the lilt of a song as he strode onward 
 to obey the King's command to join him at Quelgny? 
 
 Within the fortress, all was light and merriment. At 
 the high table, raised on two steps and set crosswise at 
 the top of the hall, sat Cullan, the Smith; at his right 
 hand King Connor, upon his left, Fergus, the King's 
 champion, and again on either side of them all the great 
 nobles of Ulster. At the lower table, which ran the 
 length of the hall, rested the King's free companions and 
 the household retainers of Cullan. 
 
 Swords were laid aside and belts loosened to the 
 repast, the drinking horns passed freely round the board 
 from hand to hand; right sweetly sang the skalds of 
 many a doughty deed of the heroes aforetime, and
 
 THE HOUND OP CULLAN 11 
 
 lustily did the soldiers roar the inarching chorus of the 
 war songs as cup followed cup, until the King's Cup at 
 last was poured. And then the Smith and all that 
 company stood up to toast their lord ; but hark ! What 
 is that sound of terror and affright, shattering the silence 
 that has fallen, as Cullan lifts high the horn to pledge 
 the King? Shouts of warfare, the ringing of steel against 
 stone, the humming of the hard flung javelin, and, above 
 all, the ghastly snarling of the hound are heard without 
 the walls. 
 
 " By the Ked Branch, we are attacked! To arms, pay 
 men! To arms! " shouts Cullan. 
 
 "Aye! to arms," growls the King, "and out upon 
 these rascals who disturb our feast. The shedding of 
 their blood shall but sweeten the cup when we return 
 to this festive board." 
 
 Hastily the warriors gird themselves, and snatch up 
 javelin, sword and buckler, and race down the hall to 
 be first at the great door of the fortress to repel the 
 attackers. 
 
 Wide swings the gate, out rush the King and Cullan 
 at the head of armed men, and then all pause, amazed 
 at the scene which astounds their very reason; for the 
 hound of Cullan lies dead and bloody, one side of his 
 head smashed to pulp ; for his brains have been beaten 
 out against the doorpost, and there, with heaving chest 
 and flashing eyes, stands Setanta, with one foot upon the 
 monster's carcase, for he it is who has wrought this 
 mighty deed. 
 
 Amazed stand all men, until Fergus speaks : " Behold, 
 my liege, a royal son of a royal race obeys his King's 
 command in face of mighty odds, for methinks, never 
 did stripling or grown man accomplish such a deed before 
 in Erin. Skalds shall sing of this hero-act while time 
 shall run and Ulster own a King. Truly the Red 
 Branch bears beauteous blossom to grow to noble fruit." 
 
 Proudly smiles the King and loud roar the rollicking 
 warriors as he embraces the brave boy. 
 
 " My son! this day thou hast done mightily, and time
 
 12 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 shall prove thee Ireland's greatest champion, long before 
 the hair upon thy face grows thick." 
 
 ' ' My noble Sire ! I did but battle with the beast that 
 I might join thee as thou did'st command, and not to 
 prove the manhood that springs upward in my heart." 
 
 All, however, is not joy, for there apart stands Cullan, 
 with tear-dimmed eye and great bitterness in his heart, 
 looking down upon the faithful friend of many years, 
 whom he has trained from puppyhood to be his 
 companion in the chase and to guard the fortress while 
 he slept. Bitterly Cullan mourns the dog he has reared 
 and loved so well; alone of all that company who are 
 his guests, Setanta sees his grief and is smitten with 
 remorse, that, even to save his own life, he has brought 
 sorrow to his liege-lord's friend and host. 
 
 " Cullan," said he, " if I have wrought thee wrong, 
 I grieve for it, and did that which I did only in self- 
 defence, and that I might keep the life whole within 
 me; the hound is dead, and no sorrow of mine will give 
 him life again, but if I could fill his post that would 
 I do right willingly, and, indeed,- why should I not? 
 'Tis I have wrought the wrong, 'tis I must make amends ; 
 yet how may this be? Say, Cullan, how may I serve 
 thee in thy need? For well thou shalt believe, ere all 
 this tale be told, that Setanta ever pays the debt he 
 owes!" 
 
 Slowly the black, rage-born blood welled from the 
 battered head of the new slain hound and slowly down 
 dropt the bitter tears of Cullan, but no man spake, till 
 out from the fortress gate gambolled a little puppy, full 
 of play, until its roving gaze fell on its stiffening sire, 
 whereon it ran to him and, nestling 'gainst his shaggy 
 pelt, set up a piteous whining. 
 
 " See, Cullan, and you my liege, and noble lords of 
 Ulster," crys Setanta, " the very gods themselves point 
 out the way to the accomplishment of my desires; give 
 me the whelp, oh Smith! and I will tram him, aye! and 
 guard thy dun myself night after night until he be a 
 hound full grorro, crafty in the chase, fierea in dfen
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN . 13 
 
 of thee and thine, and faithful to thee by thy bed and 
 board. Till then I am thy servant and thy guard." 
 
 Cullan now steps forward and embraces the generous 
 lad and thanks him for his pledge; Setanta is swung up 
 shoulder high by brawny arms, placed on a seat of 
 spear shafts resting on the shoulders of the warriors, and 
 thus, to the measure of a marching song, they carry him 
 in under the gate and up the hall, right up to the high 
 seat, and there they seat him at the right hand of the 
 King; the interrupted feast proceeds, the King's Cup is 
 drunk, and then up rises Fergus, champion of the King, 
 and, lifting high his drinking horn, thus speaks : 
 
 "Setanta! This day hast thou wrought a mighty 
 deed, of which I, the King's champion, might well be 
 proud to boast; by thy stark might thou hast overcome 
 the Smith's terrific hound, against whom no ten 
 champions have 'ere this dared to stand; not by craft in 
 arms was the deed accomplished, nor by stealth with 
 the well-flung javelin from a safe hiding place, but bravely 
 witli thy naked hands hast thou done battle for thy life 
 and honour. Cullan, I know, forgives thee his dead 
 hound, the impulse of his heart and thy most worthy vow 
 to guard his dun urging him thereto; wherefore be thou 
 known in future, not as Setanta but as Cuchulain,* 
 Hound of Cullan, in memory of this day ! The Druid 
 Morann prophesied at thy birth that thou shouldst do 
 mighty deeds, and now, I too, must have my say, for to- 
 night a strangeness comes o'er me, and I think that I am 
 fey or, perchance, 'tis but death that awaits me and I 
 see clearly into the future, as do the foredoomed, whom 
 the Morrigan has marked to go to her on the wave of battle 
 frenzy. This I say of thee, and mind thou mark'st it 
 well ! Through mighty deeds shalt thou win the guerdon 
 of a beauteous woman's love, and she shall cleave to 
 thee as long as life and time do last. A friend shall 
 thy valour bring thee such as few may count upon to 
 guard their backs in the battle ; a Goddess and a Queen 
 tthall love thee, but their love thou shalt reject; yet wilt 
 
 * Pronounced " Koohoo'lin."
 
 14 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 thou prove faithless to thy love 'ere all this tale be told. 
 A head without a body shall speak of thy deeds and raise 
 the countryside to thy aid; the hero-light shall shine 
 about thy head; but guard against the battle frenzy, for 
 if thou dost not, in it, thou shalt surely slay both son 
 and friend, and this in very truth I think will come to 
 pass. Yet at the last, I know, a glorious death awaits thee, 
 for thou shalt die in thy standing with many dead around 
 thee, a fitting bed on which to lie at long last ; thy faithful 
 steed, a gray, shall be with thee to the end and shall bring 
 an avenger on the trail of thy slayers, thy body shall rest 
 by water, stone and earth, but thy head and hand travel 
 fast to Tara. I have finished Cuchulain guard thee 
 well!" 
 
 As the evening wore away, all men became drunken, 
 but Cuchulain would touch no cup, remembering his 
 pledge to Cullan, and presently, when one by one the 
 nobles at the upper table had gone to the guest chambers 
 to sleep oft the effects of the orgy, and the warriors lolled 
 at the tables in all sorts of grotesque attitudes, or reclined 
 upon the rush-strewn floor, he got up from the high table, 
 where he sat alone, and taking spear and buckler from 
 among the trophies on the wall, strode quietly forth to 
 take his lonely vigil without the fortress walls. Hours 
 passed till the cool dawn wind came stealing softly o'er 
 the hills lifting the raven locks falling to his shoulders 
 from beneath the fillet bound about his brow; there he 
 stood in all the grace of his unsullied youth, a sweet 
 promise of beauteous manhood, leaning on his spear, 
 musing on the strange happenings of the previous day 
 and the still stranger words of Fergus at the banquet of 
 yesternight, thinking doubtless that his feet were now 
 firmly planted on the ladder of life and resolving to use 
 his life to the best purpose, and to do many mighty deeds. 
 
 Meanwhile the primrose fingers of the dawn shoot one 
 by one across the sky, heralding the coming of the life- 
 giving sun, till presently the edges of banks of clouds are 
 tinged with silver, then with gold, and the sun in all his 
 glory bursts into view, as Lugh drives out his car once 
 more from East to West in his accustomed round; then,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 15 
 
 as one by one, the revellers of last night come out to 
 wash away the signs of their late carouse, they find 
 Cuchulain, true to his oath, still on guard. 
 
 After a hasty meal King Connor Mac Nessa calls 
 together his followers and departs, leaving Cuchulain to 
 train up the puppy and fulfil his oath to the Smith. 
 
 As time goes on Cullan grows to love the lad, and would 
 fain lighten his self-imposed Task, but Cuchulain is 
 obdurate ; he will not hear of a guard of soldiers taking 
 his place, or even sharing his vigil ; no ! he has killed the 
 guardian of the dun, and he alone will take his place. 
 
 Naturally the story of his deed and his subsequent vow 
 to take the hound's place until the hound's whelp shall 
 be trained and grown spreads far and wide, until in time 
 it comes to the ears of some marauders who have long 
 desired to possess themselves of the wealth the Smith has 
 accumulated through many years of strenuous toil. 
 Thinking that a half-grown lad can be but a poor pro- 
 tection for the fortress, they determine to attack it in the 
 darkest hour before the dawn, when all life is at its 
 lowest ebb and the vigilance of the guardian is most 
 likely to be relaxed. 
 
 One night, therefore, as Cuchulain leans upon his spear 
 brooding on the years to come, he is rudely roused from 
 his meditations by a javelin whizzing past his head to 
 stand quivering in the lintel of the door behind him. 
 Instantly he stands upon the defensive, with spear arm 
 flung back and buckler 'crost his breast awaiting what 
 may befall. 
 
 Moment after moment he waits, reasoning that it is 
 but some escaped serf or wandering marauder who has 
 attacked him for the sake of his arms; at last he steps 
 be} T ond the earthwork to seek his foe. Immediately he is 
 greeted by a hail of javelins and sling stones ; some whizz 
 harmlessly by, others he catches on his buckler, but one 
 just grazes his thigh, drawing blood as it flies. 
 
 "To me! men of Cullan," he shouts, as he stands 
 upon the earthwork with throwing arm stretched back, 
 watching his chance to fling a javelin if a lurking foemnn 
 shews himself.
 
 ic THE HOUND or CULLAN 
 
 Stealthily the evil, bearded face of a one-eyed man 
 peers out over the brow of a little hillock, instantly the 
 javelin speeds on its errand of death from the hand of 
 Cuchulain and the robber will go to the foray no more, 
 for his soul is rent from his body as his hands grope 
 starkly at the spear point quivering in his throat; mean- 
 while his life's breath whistles from the wound; gaily the 
 thrower laughs, shaking his other javelin and jeering the 
 foeman to meet him face to face. 
 
 He listens, but still no sound is heard within the dun. 
 
 And now the foemen sweep forward, grimly silent, the 
 waning moonlight glittering wanly on spear point and 
 upraised sword. 
 
 Again he shouts! "Awake, ye men of Cullan! thy 
 foes are upon thee." And to himself he mutters: " Not 
 long may I hold the earthwork in face of such odds," for 
 full twenty well-armed men rush on him, yet firm he 
 stands while they surge around like wind-driven waves 
 breaking on a rocky shore. 
 
 Swiftly he flings his second javelin, and so mighty is 
 the throw that two men take their death of it; Cuchulain 
 catches a spear as it flies, instantly flinging it back, to 
 be the bane of the foremost attacker, but now they are 
 come at him and he must take to sword and buckler to 
 preserve his life. Still they cannot come at his back as 
 yet, but press him hard in front. 
 
 The good sword is up, sweeping a ring around him 
 within which it is death to step. One cuts downwards at 
 his head, shearing away half the shield, which is advanced 
 to meet the stroke, and wounding Cuchulain in the 
 shoulder. Another, louting low, sweeps at his legs, but 
 the youth leaps high o'er the circling blade and, striking 
 downward as he springs, cleaves the swordsman to the 
 chin. For a second he cannot wrench free the sword, 
 and so is practically unarmed. Seeing this, another 
 foeman dashes forward, only to receive the point of the 
 buckler full between the eyes and to fall back gory and 
 howling. 
 
 Up rush t the leader and two of his fighting tail, furious 
 at their ill' success ; swiftly he outstrips his henchman,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 17 
 
 but meet* his fate by the sword, which knows uo nicetieg 
 of play, only striking cleanly down through bone and 
 muscle. The other two draw off while all men stand 
 amazed at the stark might of this mere stripling. 
 
 Cuchulain laughs aloud, tossing his sword high in air 
 and catching it by the grip as it falls, the echoes of his 
 laughter ring weirdly around the walls of the dun. 
 
 ' What ! Are there no three of ye who will come up 
 to take a young boy's head to tie to his chariot wheels? 
 Must I come at ye then, ye laggards?" 
 
 Then two men spring forward with axe and spear 
 upraised, but the good sword hums again in Cuchulain'a 
 hand and their knees are loosened in death. 
 
 By now the sounds of strife and the shouts of the 
 combatants have aroused the sleepers, and men are 
 hastily arming within the dim; yet Cuchulain must keep 
 back the foe until the gate is unbarred and the plank 
 thrown across the ditch to let the defenders out. 
 
 Frantically the marauders strive to take the earthwork 
 before the defenders can be out and man it, for now can 
 be heard distinctly the rattle of chains as the bolts are 
 shot back; the gate swings open and out pour the inmates, 
 while Cuchulain, flinging his buckler in the face of those 
 who press upon him, dashes forward with an awe-inspiring 
 yell, followed by the defenders, whose blood is thoroughly 
 up as they race forward, clamouring and leaping in his 
 wake. 
 
 Compassionately the moon sinks to rest behind the hill 
 veiling from her sight the scenes of butchery which follow, 
 for now the swords drink deep of the red blood of those 
 who have dared to attack the dun of Cullan, until all are 
 slain save one slim youth who flies across the plain on 
 fear-lightened feet to save his life, but what chance has 
 he of outdistancing the fleetest runner in all the Emerald 
 Isle? Rapidly Cuchulain overhauls him, until he is 
 within striking distance and the sword is upraised to 
 check the runner's flight. Even now the blade sweeps 
 down, when a voice seems to speak to him from out the 
 sky, " My son, spare thou this youth to serve thee." 
 The blow may not be checked, but the sword is turned
 
 18 THE HOUND OF GULL AN 
 
 aside and Cuchulain grasps the fugitive by the hair. 
 ' Young man, I have thee ! Stand now and let us talk 
 awhile. Thou seemst over young to consort with robbers 
 and men of evil repute. How sayest thou, and how art 
 thou named?" 
 
 "Lord!" answered the young man, "I am called 
 Laeg, and since infancy have I been reared by the 
 robbers, whose chief Bealcu found me in a castle which 
 he sacked 'ere yet I was a year old; my soul has ever 
 revolted from the robber's trade, and if thou wilt have me 
 I will be thy man and serve thee well and truly all my 
 days. No great warrior am I, but, among horses, as a 
 charioteer, few can surpass me." 
 
 " Such talk is very well," said Cuchulain, " but how 
 do I know, Laeg, if I take thee as my henchman, that 
 thou, who art robber reared, wilt not murder me one 
 night in my sleep?" 
 
 " Lord," said Laeg, " surely I see blood welling up 
 from thy left shoulder; stretch forth thine arm then, that 
 I may touch it with my lips and the oath of brother-in- 
 blood be sworn between we two, for to thou wilt I 
 cleave, for thou art surely the mightiest of men, who hast 
 this day slain Bealcu, against whom in his wrath no three 
 men have ere this been found to stand." 
 
 So the oath of brother-in-blood was sworn, and 
 Cuchulain enlisted the first of his fighting tail, which in 
 after years was to be famous the world over, from Ireland 
 to far Cathay. 
 
 These two returned to the gate of the dun, where the 
 warriors were resting after the slaying, but when they 
 saw Laeg full twenty swords flew clear to ' spill ' the 
 blood of the captive. 
 
 But, " Put up your swords," quoth Cuchulain, his 
 own sword swinging free in his hand while with his own 
 body he sheltered Laeg from the angry warriors. " An 
 hour since ye had struck at an outlawed robber, but now 
 'tis mine own henchman, and who wars with him counts 
 me his foe."
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 19 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 A YEAR passed away. 
 
 Cuchulain and Laeg were inseparable, the latter 
 watching his master with the mute affection of a well- 
 loved hound and instructing him in all the wiles of horse- 
 mastership and horsemanship so well known to your true 
 Irishman. 
 
 Day by day Cuchulain grew in strength and beauty, 
 and now, under his skilful tuition, the whelp of the hound 
 of Cullan began to get his girth and to wax nearly as 
 fierce as his sire, so that the period of the hero's vow was 
 almost run. 
 
 One day Cuchulain sought out Cullan and asked if the 
 Smith were satisfied that the hound was fully trained and 
 fit to be his guard. 
 
 To him Cullan replied: " My noble boy, knowst thou 
 not that I would long since have released thee hadst thou 
 wished, but now r thou art free to go. Yet I have grown 
 to love thee well, and, Cuchulain, I am a childless man, 
 wilt thou not stay w r ith me and be my son? When the 
 Morrigan calls for me I must go hence on that long 
 journey from which none may return, although many old 
 friends await me in the shades. Then thou shalt have this 
 dun and all my hard-earned wealth shall be thine, but if 
 thou wilt not stay and I feel that the time of parting 
 draws nigh for we two then go hence, not an undowered 
 stripling, but as a man well equipped for war in goods 
 and arms." 
 
 Sadly then Cuchulain answered him. 
 
 " Cullan, well hast thou treated me, and great is the 
 love I bear thee, yet this may not be, for all my deeds are 
 yet to do; dost thou not remember the words of Fergus 
 and the prophecy of the Druid Morann, how my name 
 shall be in all men's mouths, my deeds spoken of by 
 warriors and charioteers? How may this be if I stay 
 here at the dun of Quelgny? Give me then my faring
 
 20 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 forth and this I swear, if in thy need thou callest on me, 
 then surely will I come. Moreover, Cullan, remember 
 it is said that I am the son of Sualtam, but full well I 
 know myself sprung of nobler stock, and never will I rest 
 until my real father be found." 
 
 This saying made Cullan sad, and yet he would not 
 break his word, and so summoned all his warriors to the 
 banquet hall to bid farewell to Cuchulain and Laeg. Also, 
 he bade his steward bring the gifts he would give to his 
 faithful friend ; first were brought in a crimson cloak with 
 brooch of gold, and a goodly buckler of red wood having 
 the rim bound with steel whereon were carved strange 
 devices of animals and men, said to have been wrought by 
 goblin hands in days of old. Next came the arms of 
 manhood, but these Cuchulain would not accept, saying 
 that none but King Connor Mac Nessa himself should 
 arm him. 
 
 Gladly Cuchulain thanked Cullan for his generous gifts, 
 swinging the cloak about his shoulders and binding the 
 buckler on his arm; Cullan then accompanied Cuchulain 
 and Laeg to the gate of the fortress, and there stood two 
 glorious horses, a superb black, known throughout Ireland 
 as " Black Sainglend " and " the Grey of Macha," fully 
 equipped with chariot harness; fondly Laeg bade them 
 farewell, for often had he tended and driven them. 
 
 Then spoke Cullan. " Cuchulain, from me thou wilt 
 not take the arms of manhood, but at least thou wilt let 
 me horse thy war-chariot with the two finest horses in all 
 Ireland. Think well, Fergus said that when thou diest 
 in thy standing thy horse, a grey, shall be with thee, and 
 what steed more fitting such a warrior as thou shalt be 
 than "the Grey of Macha" refuse not then my gift, 
 I beg of thee." 
 
 Amazed at the richness of the gift, Cuchulain stood 
 mute with thanks, whilst Laeg, in a transport of delight, 
 fondled the horses who were now to be his constant 
 charge. 
 
 Loud cheered the warriors as these two fared forth to 
 face the world, but Cullan was inconsolable in his grief 
 at the departure of one whom he cherished as an only son.
 
 THE HOUND OF OULLAN 21 
 
 Once fairly set upon their way, Cuchulain began to 
 cast about him what next to do; that night they rested 
 in a cave upon the hillside, and over the evening meal, 
 Laeg suggested that they should journey on to Tailti, 
 where Cuchulain might take part in the Lugnasard,* a 
 fair founded by Lugh, the God of Light, at which all the 
 great men of the land contended in all manly sports for 
 the Championship of Ireland. 
 
 Feeling that the relaxation of sport would be a welcome 
 change after his nights of lonely vigil or stark fighting, 
 Cuchulain welcomed the suggestion. 
 
 Next morning they set off early, and travelling by easy 
 stages reached Tailti on the third day without misad- 
 venture. 
 
 The first day of the meeting was devoted to horse races, 
 but here Cuchulain could not shine, for the people, 
 recognising ''Black Sainglend " and "the Grey of 
 Macha," would not race their horses against them. 
 Cuchulain, therefore, had to curb his impatience and wait 
 for the personal contests of wrestling, leaping, running, 
 discus, javelin and hammer-throwing, which would take 
 place on the next two days. 
 
 The time of the horse races was therefore spent in 
 going with Laeg over the ground where the athletes would 
 contend on the morrow. 
 
 Next day the sports commenced early, Cuchulain, an 
 almost unknown man, winning both the short and long 
 courses with the utmost ease from many champions. 
 
 Next followed the wrestling, and here Laeg begged him 
 not to compete, as he had not yet come to his full 
 strength, but Cuchulain would not be persuaded. In the 
 first round he was drawn against the doughty Curoi. 
 
 Now they stand face to face in the ring, both stripped 
 to the waist, Cuchulain slender and graceful as a willow, 
 the beauteous muscles rippling strongly 'neath his fair 
 skin, Curoi black and hair-clad as a goblin, with great 
 
 * This Lugnasard was in reality a great annual fair, hold in 
 honour of the marriage of Talti, daughter of the King of the 
 land of the dead, to King Eoohy Mac Euc, and this placa i* 
 known t tho present day as Toll town, or Teltin. Author.
 
 22 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 masses of knotted muscles shewing on his limbs and body. 
 Softly laughed a maid amidst the throng. "Lo! Lugh 
 and the earth-dweller are met at last." Loud laughed 
 the people, but Curoi did not laugh; he ground his teeth 
 instead ! 
 
 The word is given, and round each other they circle, 
 with outstretched arms held low, circling and waiting for 
 a chance to rush in and risk a throw. Soon Curoi rushes 
 in, gripping Cuchulain about the middle, striving to swing 
 him off his feet, but the young man's stand is firm and 
 in no wise may he be moved ; then Cuchulain, in his turn, 
 puts forth his might, but his foot slips and down he goes 
 on his back, fairly thrown. 
 
 Time to regain their breath is allowed, but soon they 
 stand again within the ring, and this time Cuchulain 
 determines to make no mistake. Low they bend as they 
 circle; Curoi rushes in to get the master grip again, but 
 Cuchulain, not to be caught unawares a second time, 
 supples his body at the waist and, handing off his oppon- 
 ent, grapples him about the middle, hugging him until he 
 gasps for breath, and all the while striving to bend him 
 back. But lad's strength is not man's strength, and full 
 well Cuchulain knows that unless he can swing his 
 opponent clear of the ground and throw him, his own 
 strength will be spent, therefore he must have recourse to 
 craft. Almost imperceptibly appearing to weaken, he 
 waits till Curoi puts out his leg to knock his heels from 
 under him, and then while his antagonist's weight is all 
 on one foot, he puts forth his might and heaves Curoi 
 over his shoulder, so that he lies stunned and battered on 
 the earth. 
 
 Wildly clamour all the people then, for never had such 
 wrestling been seen in Ireland within the memory of man ; 
 but the effort had been almost too much for the immature 
 youth, whose whole frame shakes with shuddering breath, 
 while the blood gushes forth from his mouth and ears. 
 Yet they have still another bout to wrestle, and though 
 Curoi has had a fearful fall no man yet may say how the 
 contest will end. 
 
 Resting time seems all too short, and once again the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 23 
 
 two stand face to face; Curoi's laboured breathing attests 
 how hardly matters have gone with him, while 
 Cuchulain's eyes are ringed about with dark circles and 
 the blood still trickles stickily from the corners of his 
 nostrils. 
 
 Heavily Curoi rushes and tiredly Cuchulain evades him, 
 again and yet again, but this may not last, and soon 
 Cuchulain is swept within that dire embrace ; so now they 
 stand panting and striving and neither has the advantage 
 of the other, for Cuchulain again has his feet firmly 
 planted and gives not an inch. Mightily they strive, 
 standing almost still while the muscles start out upon 
 their bodies like knotted whipcord; but this may not 
 endure, flesh and blood cannot stand so terrific a strain, 
 and slowly, inch by inch, Cuchulain is lifted up and up; 
 now they crash to earth like two mighty forest oaks 
 falling before the gale, but neither man is on his back, 
 although Curoi has the advantage. 
 
 Then Laeg shouts high above the clamour of the 
 onlookers: "For the honour of the Eed Branch, 
 Cuchulain, be not beaten, get free of him." 
 
 Cuchulain hears and, letting go his grip, rolls free and 
 springs upon his feet, and now the work is all to do again; 
 but this time Cuchulain takes the offensive and, rushing 
 on his foe, grapples him, one arm about his middle anew 
 one behind his thighs. Almost before men can see what 
 is happening he puts forth all his might in a last desperate 
 effort and, swinging Curoi clear of the ground, sends him 
 crashing to earth well outside the ring, fair on his back, 
 and straightway himself falls down fainting, lying there 
 like a corpse, the black bruises shewing livid against the 
 whiteness of his skin. 
 
 Laeg springs forward to raise his beloved master, tears 
 of joy coursing unchecked down his cheeks, while the air 
 is rent with the acclamations of the people at the prowess 
 of this glorious youth, who has overcome the mightiest 
 champion in all Ireland; but Cuchulain is all spent and 
 the bleeding has burst forth again. 
 
 Tenderly the people bear him away, and for that day 
 lae can compete no more, so that the javelin throwing
 
 24 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 and the roth cleas * go by without the hero of the Red 
 Branch Hostel being able to do any other great deed. 
 At that Cuchulain is sore vexed. That night Laeg went 
 out beyond the town and with a stone from his sling 
 killed a wild duck and, stripping the flesh from it, took 
 the fat of the breast and therewith anointed his master 
 from head to foot, and after rubbing him thoroughly 
 mixed him a strong concoction of wine and honey, which 
 caused him to fall into a long and dreamless slumber, 
 from which he awoke next morning thoroughly refreshed 
 and once more supple in all his limbs, but with the 
 bruises still there standing out blue and livid on his white 
 skin. 
 
 Now that morning Cuchulain arrayed himself in the 
 garments which Cullan had given him at their parting. 
 On his feet were light, strong shoes, and his legs were 
 cross-gartered in emerald green; his kilt was of blue, as 
 was the loose smock which hung straight down from his 
 shoulders, while over all Laeg threw the crimson cloak, 
 clasping it across his chest with the golden brooch of 
 Cullan. About his head was bound a fillet, also of 
 emerald green. 
 
 After a simple breakfast of goat's milk and cheese the 
 two fared forth to the sports ground, where the country 
 people were already assembling to witness the young 
 boys' races, which would be decided first. 
 
 On a piece of rising ground at the side of the arena sat 
 the nobles of the district to watch the sport, lords and 
 ladies together, arrayed in gorgeous garments, making a 
 wonderful blaze of colour in the early morning sunlight ; 
 opposite and at the centre of the arena upon the other 
 side a space was reserved for the champions, while all 
 around the rest of the ring were assembled the country 
 folk, loudly discussing the chances of their favourites or 
 talking over the wonderful wrestling of the stranger-youth 
 upon the day before. 
 
 Many were the conjectures as to who he was and 
 whether he would compete in the discus throwing the 
 
 * Roik cleiktitB}er Ikrowjuir
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 25 
 
 last hero -feat to be decided that day; one maiden in the 
 crowd she who yesterday had likened him to Lugh and 
 Curoi to the earth-dweller was particularly persistent 
 in singing his praises and acclaiming him as more than 
 mortal man. 
 
 On reaching the ground Cuchulain went quietly and 
 unrecognised to the champions' enclosure, while Laeg 
 roamed around the crowd until he found the maiden who 
 had sung his master's praises and who on the yesterday 
 had wiped the blood away from his mouth and nostrils 
 with her kerchief. 
 
 The early part of the morning was taken up with the 
 running of the little lads' races, which, needless to say, 
 delighted the parents of the youngsters more than anyone 
 else. About mid-day a hush of expectation came over 
 the spectators as one by one the champions strolled into 
 the arena, chatting together and walking around to 
 observe the lie of the land whereon they were to throw 
 the discus. 
 
 Anxiously Laeg and his companion watch for the 
 coming of Cuchulain, nor are their minds put at rest 
 when the horn is wound to assemble the throwers to hear 
 the conditions of competition called out by the judges. 
 Just as the judge is about to commence, a shout of 
 welcome goes up from the people as Cuchulain, in his 
 flaming cloak, vaults lightly over the palisade and joins 
 the heroes in the centre of the arena. 
 
 The conditions are recited and all men stand back 
 while the first thrower takes up the stone and, swinging 
 it lightly across his body, turns rapidly and sends it 
 hurtling on its flight ; another and another follow in quick 
 succession, each man walking forward after his throw to 
 observe his mark. Now it is Cuchulain 's turn; quietly 
 he slips the crimson cloak from off his shoulders, and it is 
 seen that he has discarded his under smock, so that he 
 stands forth in all his slim beauty with kilt caught up to 
 the hips, and the sun flashing back from the marble 
 whiteness of his upper limbs. Taking his stand within 
 the ring, slowly he swings the discus across his body, once, 
 twice and yet again, and then with arms outstretched
 
 26 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 he whirls around at lightning speed and with a final sweep 
 of the throwing arm he sends the missile cleaving through 
 the air, scaling beautifully and at such a pace that the 
 eye can hardly follow its flight. Low bend the marksmen 
 and competitors as it speeds on its way, humming like a 
 swarm of bees in summer, while a gasp of wonder goes 
 up from the people as the discus nearly buries itself in 
 earth, full twenty paces beyond the farthest cast of any 
 other competitor. 
 
 Then babel breaks forth and the air is rent with wild 
 Celtic shouts in honour of the mighty throw. 
 
 Again and again the other champions throw, putting 
 forth all their skill and muscle to overcast Cuchulain's 
 throw; but there is no need for him to throw again, for 
 his cast still stands out alone, well beyond full twenty 
 others. 
 
 The contests over, Cuchulain is led up by the judges 
 to take the sword, buckler and rings, which are the 
 rewards for his prowess in the running races, wrestling, 
 and discus throwing. 
 
 As the prizes are given up speaks the greatest chieftain 
 of them all. " Who art thou, boy, who these days past 
 hast put our mightiest champions to open shame? Me- 
 thinks thou must be sprung from some high stock to 
 shew such prowess in thy early youth, and Ireland shall 
 hear more of thy deeds before the tale be told, if thou 
 shalt prove as mighty in deeds of war as thou hast done 
 in games of sport." 
 
 Then Cuchulain sang this song : 
 
 " I am Setanta, son of the Craobh Ruadh,* 
 Son of Dectera, men say sired by Sualtam, 
 But I know a higher source from whence doth my 
 
 blood flow, 
 
 I am Setanta whom men call Cuchulain 
 Because noble Cullan chose me for his watchdog 
 After the slaying of his hound in the night time. 
 I am Cuchulain who beat back the free raiders 
 
 * Pronounced Oreva Roe, nieang the Rd Branch.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 27 
 
 Holding the dun safe while Cullan was arming. 
 
 Of me Druid Morann told in a vision 
 
 How Kings and sages shall tell of my prowess. 
 
 How I shall guard the fords and right the wrongs of 
 
 our people, 
 
 Yet all my mighty deeds lie in the future, 
 Soon shall ye hear of me, people of Erinl" 
 
 Thus singing he gathered up his trophies and walked 
 from the ground, followed in silence by Laeg, while all 
 men wondered at these strange sayings. 
 
 That night Cuchulain and his charioteer lay at Tailti.
 
 28 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 THE morning after the sports broke in sullen clouds, the 
 hills were shrouded in mists of rain and altogether it was 
 as uninviting a day as two travellers could possibly have 
 chosen for their faring forth. None-the-less Cuchulain 
 was determined to set out on the journey to Emain Macha 
 and the Court of King Conor Mac Nessa. 
 
 Wherefore he bade Laeg load their goods onto the 
 "Grey of Macha" and "Black Sainglend," that they 
 might start upon the journey directly the morning meal 
 was over. 
 
 While the two horses were being loaded and a meal 
 prepared, Cuchulain went out alone into the town and 
 purchased two more horses whereon he arid Laeg might 
 ride and lead the chariot horses laden with their goods. 
 
 Many people having been to the fair during the past 
 few days, most of the horses in the town had been sold or 
 had changed owners. It was therefore somewhat difficult 
 to find two reliable animals of known antecedents for 
 sale. After wandering from place to place until his 
 patience was thoroughly outworn he at last came up with 
 a farmer on the outskirts of the town, who was taking 
 a string of wild-looking colts back home after the fair. 
 
 A great deal of bickering then ensued as to the relative 
 merits of the various horses and the price the farmer was 
 willing to take for them. Cuchulain tried all the more 
 likely looking ones and now began to be sorry that he had 
 not brought Laeg with him, as the latter's knowledge of 
 horseflesh would have proved invaluable. However, after 
 much haggling, he picked upon two sturdy-looking 
 country cobs and paid the farmer about half the price 
 he had originally asked for them. 
 
 Returning to the hostel with his newly acquired posses- 
 sions Cuchulain ate a hasty breakfast, and now that the 
 morning was well up they started upon their journey in 
 the drizzling rain.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 29 
 
 All day long they toiled on up the hills, gradually 
 getting wetter and wetter until the cold Irish rain had 
 chilled them to the bone. About midday, they halted in 
 a thicket to rest their horses and to eat a hasty meal, then 
 on they journey again till, in the late afternoon the rain 
 began to clear off and the sun to shine when they were 
 approaching the last slope up to the top of the chain of 
 hills. 
 
 Halting here on the slope, they decided to camp for 
 the night and to finish the climb and descend to the plain 
 on the far side upon the following day. After a brief 
 search a suitable cave was found wherein the horses were 
 etabled and a fire built in the entrance by which the food 
 was cooked. After the meal had been eaten the way- 
 farers took off their clothes and spread them by the blaze 
 to dry, and wrapping themselves in spare cloaks which 
 had been kept dry in the bundles carried on the chariot 
 horses, soon fell asleep. 
 
 With the first breath of the dawn wind Laeg awoke 
 and rousing his master before it was yet light, they 
 groomed and loaded up the horses and pushed on up the 
 hills eating the cold meat left over from last night's meal 
 as they went. 
 
 Just as the first light of dawn began to gild the 
 roseate sky, the summit of the ascent was reached and 
 then what a view of beauty burst upon their eyes. From 
 the horizon right up to high heaven the golden winged 
 messengers of the day were speeding across the sky, here 
 tinging a dull and lowering mass of cloud with palest 
 edge of gold, there blazing in rampant splendour through 
 the swirling mists, mounting, ever mounting, up the sky; 
 first breaking up the sombre purple of the night in 
 primrose and salmon pinks, till finally the day was born 
 in golden splendour and the sun burst forth to suck up 
 the humid vapours of the night. 
 
 From the high point on which they stood a glorious 
 panorama was spread out before them, first the gently 
 sloping ridges of the hills, chain upon chain, topped with 
 the filigree tracery of trees, delicately tinged by the new- 
 born sun. Down, down their gaze was led by the course of
 
 30 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 a tumbling brook rising almost at their feet and gradually 
 widening out into a noble river winding away across the 
 plain over which were sparsely scattered old farm towns. 
 
 For a while even these rough sons of a rough age stood 
 gazing enraptured at this lovely scene, then slowly they 
 began the descent of the hills into the valley, passing 
 sometimes over the stark nakedness of the hills, some- 
 times through a rugged gorge and sometimes through a 
 sylvan glen with fern-clad, dew-bespangled sides. 
 
 At last the plain was reached and now they were 
 confronted with the problem of how to cross the river 
 which had looked so tiny from the heights but which, on 
 nearer inspection, proved to be a roaring torrent swelled 
 by the rains of yesterday. 
 
 First the horses were hobbled and allowed to graze off 
 the luscious grass, and then up and down the bank of the 
 river Cuchulain and Laeg hunted for indications of a ford. 
 After much weary searching, tracks of animals and 
 chariots w r ere found leading down to a break in the steeply 
 shelving bank, and now arose the question, would it be 
 safe to attempt the passage of the river in its present 
 swollen condition? 
 
 Laeg thought it would be best to wait, but Cuchulain 
 was anxious to push on and sleep under shelter that night 
 if possible at one of the farmsteads which could be seen 
 on the far side of the water. 
 
 The horses were brought down to the river. Cuchulain 
 mounted the country-bred bought in Tailti the day before, 
 and led the " Grey of Macha " by the bridle. Laeg 
 kept by their heads coaxing them with voice and hand 
 till they were well into the water and then with a final 
 smack urged them on ; slowly the water mounted first to 
 the belly-band, then to the rider's knee and still up until 
 all foothold was lost and the horses were swimming hard. 
 Presently they struggled up the bank and stood with 
 heaving sides while ^Cuchulain slipped from the saddle 
 and shouted to Laeg to make the passage quickly. 
 
 And now Laeg mounts and leads " Black Sainglend " 
 to the water but the horse snorts and planting his fore 
 feet firmly on the bank, draws back in terror from the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 31 
 
 swirling flood; to make matters worse, the horse Laeg 
 rides catches the infection and rears violently, but Laeg 
 is a splendid horseman, he sits down firmly in his seat, 
 controlling his restive steeds with iron will and slowly 
 forces them forward as only your born horseman can; 
 at last they take the water and begin to swim, but the 
 country-bred cob is not so strong as the one Cuchulain 
 rides and begins to be borne down stream by the current, 
 and now Laeg is in a quandary. If he looses " Black 
 Sainglend " he may go back and be difficult to catch, if 
 on the other hand he sticks to them both they may all 
 be washed away together. 
 
 Cuchulain shouts to him to leave the horses and save 
 himself, but this he will not do, for all Cuchulain's gear 
 is on the chariot horse ; therefore he gives the black a 
 cut with his switch and slipping from his saddle, winds 
 his fingers in the cob's mane and swimming beside him 
 on the near side whispers encouragingly in his ear, mean- 
 while forcing him slowly upstream towards the landing 
 place; Cuchulain catches " Black Sainglend " as he 
 lands, meanwhile Laeg and the cob struggle on until they 
 emerge on the bank, both absolutely exhausted, and there 
 they rest awhile before they push on to the nearest farm, 
 where they crave a night's shelter. 
 
 That night after supper, when the drinking horns were 
 filled and the men drew round the fireplace, the farmer, 
 a boon companion of the old King's fighting tail, com- 
 menced the story of the Curse of Macha. As the Curse 
 of Macha and the Ultonian debility play a considerable 
 part in the after life of Cuchulain, the story will be given 
 as nearly as possible as the farmer told it. 
 
 THE FARMER'S STORY. 
 
 " When I was a hale man, young Sirs, taking a pride 
 in my youth and strength I served the King in many wars 
 and saw a great many things, some good but many bad, 
 and the worst I ever saw was that which the King did to 
 Macha, the wife of Crundchu, my old companion in arms.
 
 S2 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " After the long war Crundchu took to himself a wife 
 out of the captives we had taken and settled down on a 
 farmsteading of his own, but for me, I was never a 
 marrying man, kisses never came to me as easily as 
 blows, so I stayed on in the service. 
 
 " Still I did not altogether lose sight of Crundchu, as 
 might well have been expected, for he was a famous hand 
 at the roth-cleas,* and used always to come in to the 
 games at the festivals and holidays. 
 
 " For many years my old friend lived happily with his 
 captive bride; indeed they were almost too happy, and 
 the Fates took their revenge as is ever the way, and she 
 died suddenly of an unknown sickness; for many months 
 he was inconsolable in his grief until one day a strange 
 and beautiful woman came to his steading and took upon 
 herself the duties of the housewife, and that night she 
 accompanied him to the bed-place and lay by his side 
 within his arms until the dawning. 
 
 ' ' For many months they lived thus as true man 
 and wife; until one day she told him that in 
 course of time he would be a father. This greatly 
 delighted Crundchu , for he had no children by his first 
 wife, and as you all know the soldier ever hopes to have 
 a son to follow in his steps, though the battle parting must 
 weigh heavy on his soul some day. Months went by and 
 Macha's time of coming to the joy and sorrow of woman 
 drew near. 
 
 " Now about this time we returned from a great foray 
 and the King declared the games to celebrate our success. 
 Crundchu of course was asked, but Macha begged hard 
 of him not to leave her and when she found that he was 
 fain to go she besought him to say nothing of her as she 
 might only stay with him so long as he did not talk of her 
 in a public assembly. 
 
 " That morning Crundchu put on his best apparel and 
 started off for the games ; the morning was devoted to the 
 soldiers' sports, and as usual Crundchu won the roth 
 cleas. At midday we fed heartily and drank much, 
 
 * Wheel f eat = hammer throwing.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 33 
 
 Crundchu more than moat of us; alter the feast w all 
 betook ourselves to the sports ground again to see the 
 horse racing to which great chieftains came from all over 
 the country to match their steeds against one another. 
 
 In the racing the King's steeds won race after race 
 until His Majesty arose and said, ' Let us cease this folly, 
 for in all Ireland there is not a single horse or mortal who 
 can match my horses, nor in all the world do I think there 
 will be found anything to match them in pace.' 
 
 ' Pooh!' said Crundchu, who was full of strong ale, 
 ' at home I have a wife who can outrun them with the 
 greatest ease.' 
 
 ' Take that man,' said the King in a rage, ' and keep 
 him safe till this wife of whom he boasts so readily be 
 brought here, and if she cannot beat my horses then 
 strike off his head.' 
 
 " At this saying we were very sad, for Crundchu had 
 been a good companion in camp and on the battlefield in 
 his fighting days. 
 
 " Then messengers were dispatched to bring Macha to 
 the Court, but that night there was no merriment at the 
 feasting, for we were all sorr}' for the fate of Crundchu, 
 whom we thought was doomed. 
 
 " Next morning the messengers returned with Macha 
 and we saw that she was great with child, and then we 
 murmured loudly, for it seemed unfair to us that any 
 woman should be asked to run a race so close to her time, 
 and very eloquently Macha pleaded with the King for 
 the race to be postponed until her child was born, but he 
 was as adamant, and curtly bade her prepare for the 
 contest. 
 
 " Thereat Macha appealed to us to help her, but there 
 were many strangers from far parts of Ulster at the 
 meeting who only mocked her, and against so many and 
 the King's own guards we could do naught. 
 
 " Macha seeing that there was no pity to be had from 
 the savage onlookers girt up her gravied loins and bade 
 bring forth the horses, but before she ran she put her 
 curse upon us. ' Oh men of Ulster! this day you have 
 put a great shame upon me, but a greater shame shall 
 fall upon you ; from thi? hour the strength shall go from 
 
 c
 
 34 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 you as from a woman in her travail, in the hour of your 
 greatest need, and this shall be upon you for five days and 
 four nights. This curse shall hold until the ninth genera- 
 tion, yet this I also prophesy, that a youth shall save 
 your honour at the last.' 
 
 " Then she raced and outran the horses, but after she 
 had passed the winning post she gave a heartrending cry 
 and falling down gave birth to twin children, and there- 
 after she disappeared and so Crundchu lost his wife and 
 went back to his lonely home. 
 
 " And now, young Sirs, my story is finished, and we 
 must go to rest, for you will wish to be early on your 
 way to-morrow, but it was the most shameful sight I 
 ever saw among many shameful sights in a lone life of 
 fighting; and now at last I have come to my rest in this 
 quiet farmstead." 
 
 Over this strange story Cuchulain pondered long, won- 
 dering who might be the youth who should save the 
 honour of Ulster when the Ultouian Debility should be 
 upon the men. 
 
 Presently the farmer departed to his bed place, the 
 others rolling themselves in their cloaks lay down around 
 the hearth ; gradually the firelight died down until naught 
 could be seen but an occasional flicker from the embers 
 reflected on the ceiling beams; at last the room was 
 hushed in sleep, only disturbed by the deep and regular 
 breathing of the sleepers and the persistent chirping of a 
 cricket. 
 
 The breaking of dawn discovered the boon companions 
 of yestereve still slumbering soundly round the cold and 
 ashy hearth; first the light came in a long streak of 
 primrose hue, next the sun shone redly through the 
 windows for an instant, fading again as quickly as it had 
 come, and then the fragments of last night's repast which 
 strewed the table, and the scattered drinking horns upon 
 the floor shewed forth under the full light of day. First 
 one and then another of the sleepers awoke, stretching 
 and yawning and gazing round with sleep-dimmed eyes, 
 before sauntering forth to view the day. 
 
 Laeg arose and gathering up his arms seated himself
 
 THE HOUXT) OF CULLAX 35 
 
 outside in the sunlight to remove from the weapons the 
 traces of yesterdaj-'s immersion in the river, but 
 Cuchulain seated himself on a bench gazing thoughtfully 
 into the dead ashes, pondering still upon the farmer's 
 story. 
 
 Presently the women began to corne in to clear away 
 the remains of last night's meal and to furbish up the 
 room. 
 
 When they saw their master's guest sitting there moody 
 and alone, they curtseyed and would have withdrawn but 
 he seemed to feel their presence, and without looking up 
 motioned to them with his hand to go about their accus- 
 tomed tasks. 
 
 After awhile the men returned, carrying logs of wood 
 and kindling, which they piled into the hearth, for 
 although the time was summer the early mornings were 
 yet full cold. Then an old carlin knelt before the hearth 
 and touched the kindling to a bla/.e with flint and steel; 
 soon the fire caught hold of the logs and a blaze was 
 roaring up the chimney, lending a warmth and homeliness 
 to the hitherto bleak apartment. 
 
 Once the fire was fairly blazing great hooks were 
 brought in and fastened to the jacks, which were driven 
 firmly into the wall above the hearth, and on these hooks 
 were hung immense slabs of venison and mutton hams, 
 with dishes placed beneath to catch the fat; mugs of 
 foaming ale were set down upon the hearth to warm, 
 oaten cakes were made in plenty, and the preparations 
 for breakfast vvere complete. Meanwhile Laeg had 
 finished his polishing of the weapons, groomed the horses 
 and arranged the bundles, so that it only remained to eat 
 the meal, load the horses, bid farewell to their host and 
 take the road once more. 
 
 Just as Laeg returned from his duties the farmer 
 entered through the opposite door and bade them to the 
 table, talking while they ate, of the journey they must 
 'make; soon the meal was over. Laeg put the packages 
 upon the chariot horses' backs, the cobs were mounted 
 and the wanderers started upon their journey amid many
 
 36 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 a hearty wish from the jolly old soldier-farmer and his 
 retainers. 
 
 All day long they travelled easily through the lush and 
 fertile plain lands, and just as evening was falling came 
 in sight of Emain Mac-ha, the capital of Ulster, set upon 
 a hill. 
 
 Now Emain Maeha was a city built by the five captive 
 princes under the direction of Macha; its name means 
 " The Brooch of Macha," and is so named because with 
 the pin of her great brooch she marked out the site upon 
 the ground. The city was composed of a central fortress 
 in which the holder of the Ard-Eieship * kept his court; 
 surrounding the fortress were the dwellings of the soldiers, 
 retainers and lesser lords, while the whole was protected 
 by a circular rampart and beyond that a deep ditch kept 
 filled with water from a spring within the precincts of 
 the fortress courtyard. 
 
 Here King Connor Mac Nessa kept high state, and 
 here it was that Cuchulain's mother Dectera dwelt, and 
 here that he had received his early training, before he 
 went to the dun of Cullan. 
 
 Well can one imagine Cuchulain's joy at the first sight 
 of his early home after an absence of nearly two years, 
 and the eagerness with which he looked forward to 
 meeting his mother, the King his cousin, Cathbad his 
 grandfather, and Conall (later known as Conall of the 
 Victories) his youthful friend and cousin. 
 
 Now when they had ascended the hill and drawn near 
 to the gate in the ramparts, it was about the time of the 
 evening meal, so that all men were within the fortress 
 except the sentries, who alone observed their approach. 
 
 Cuchulain, with the memories of childhood bright 
 before his eyes, advanced straight up to the main gate 
 used only by persons of high degree. 
 
 More than a year had passed since Cuchulain was last 
 at Emain Macha, and the sentry, a young man new to 
 the service, of King Connor, knew not the boy. More- 
 over observing the high quality of the led horses and 
 
 * High Kingship.
 
 THE HOUND OF GULLAN 37 
 
 the travel stained appearance of the tvro travellers, he 
 thought them but horse boys leading their masters' steeds 
 of war, and bade them roughly to halt saying : 
 
 " Thou art over fast, my lad, to enter into Emain 
 Madia by the way of thy betters. Go round to the low 
 gate which is for horse boys and scullions such as thou. 
 1 know not the quality of thy master, and certain 'tis 
 that if he prove not of higher degree than his servant's 
 appearance indicates, neither he nor thou wilt enter by 
 the high gate of King Connor." 
 
 "Out of the way, thou low fellow," answered 
 Cuchulain. " I come by right of birth, using the high, 
 low or middle way as seemest to me best! No man's 
 servant am I, but of the blood royal." 
 
 At this the soldier laughed heartily, and as Cuchulain 
 still advanced prodded him back with the butt of his 
 spear shaft. 
 
 Instantly Cuchulain snatched the javelin from his grasp 
 and with one shake of his hand shattered it in pieces, 
 and drawing his sword belaboured the man heartily with 
 the flat of the blade, and then changing his purpose 
 began to swing the edge, letting the sword pass up and 
 down and around the man not an inch from his limbs. 
 
 " Stand still, thou!" shouted Laeg. ' This is 
 Cuchulain, hope of the Red Branch, and now indeed we 
 shall see swordsmanship worthy of watching." 
 
 By this time the soldier's shouts have attracted other 
 men at arms who stand amazed, watching the perfect 
 control of the weapon as it flashes, circles and hums in 
 the air, outlining the man's limbs in a living stream of 
 steel, while he stands, white and still, fearing his fate. 
 On swings the sword and is brought crashing down 
 towards his skull to be stopped with a jerk of the wrist 
 within an inch of his scalp. 
 
 Calmly Cuchulain sheaths his sword and speaks to the 
 trembling sentry. " Remember, fool, I am an evil man 
 to cross, and let this be a lesson to thee to be civil to 
 stranger^," and then, tearing his doublet open at the 
 breast, " Behold the mark of the Red Branch, at sight 
 of which all men uncover."
 
 38 THE HOTIXD OK CTLLAX 
 
 Cuchulain calls up t\vo men at-arms to take the horses 
 and see them propei'ly stabled, groomed and fed, then, 
 followed by Laeg, he strides through the gate into the 
 dun of Emain Macha. 
 
 Eight through the outer guard he marches and on into 
 the hall itself, where the King and all his company are 
 set at meat. 
 
 " Hail, King Connor," he cries, " greet thou now an 
 offshoot of the Red Branch." 
 
 Who art thou," answers the King, " who comest to 
 my hall unheralded to lay bold claim to kinship with the 
 Blood?" 
 
 None knew him but his mother Dectera, who, uttering 
 a cry, "It is my son Setanta," ran from her seat at 
 the high table to embrace him. 
 
 Hastily a place is set for him at the high table, and 
 he is plied with questions, but Cuchulain will say nothing 
 until he has fed. 
 
 A jug of foaming ale .is set before him and a great 
 venison pasty ; then when his hunger is assuaged, 
 Cuchulain tells them all the tale of his doings since last 
 they saw him at the dun of Cullan on the evening of the 
 slaying of the hound. 
 
 Greatly they marvel at the prowess of one so young 
 and eagerly they question him, gazing curiously at Laeg, 
 his charioteer, and at the trophies he has brought from 
 Tailti, and heartily they laugh when the story of the 
 sentry's discomfiture is told; but of the story of the Curse 
 of Macha told to him by the farmer, Cuchulain says 
 nothing. 
 
 After the questions of the King and his warriors have 
 been answered, Cuchulain goes with his mother to her 
 bower, and there he questions her keenly as to his 
 parentage. 
 
 "Mother! men say Sualtam fathered me ! and yet I can 
 not believe that such as I am sprung from any humble 
 stock; wilt thou not tell me the secret of my birth?" 
 
 " Nay, my son, this may not be," Dectera answers 
 sadly. "Of a truth Sualtam was no sire of thine, no
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 39 
 
 bodach * could father such as thou. Dost thou not 
 remember a voice speaking to thee from the darkness 
 when thy sword was raised to slaughter Laeg? Surely 
 that was thy father's voice, but more than this I dare 
 not say, for I am under geise not to tell thee of this 
 matter. This I may tell thee; that in the hour of thy 
 greatest need thy father shall come to thee, as also he 
 shall shew thee thy way in a lost land once, but once 
 only. Also, by reason of thy father's power, thou art 
 free of the Curse of Macha of which I will tell thee some 
 day." 
 
 " Of the Curse of Macha I already know somewhat," 
 answered Cuchulain, " but this I swear by the Light 
 above me ; to search for my father always and to refuse 
 no combat that may bring him to my side, no matter 
 how great the odds against me may be, and may the 
 .Heavens fall and crush me if I break this my oath." 
 
 Dectera started violently and looked suspiciously at 
 Cuchulain at his reference to " the Light above me." 
 However, she said nothing and the incident passed. 
 
 For some time the mother talked to the warlike youth 
 now seated quietly at her feet, asking him those simple, 
 seemingly guileless questions such as only a mother can 
 devise te search the heart's truth from her offspring, but 
 the answers came readily from this clean-hearted youth, 
 and in him she found neither knowledge of woman nor of 
 the lustful ways of man; all gold was his soul and 
 infantlike the purity of his mind, so that the mother-heart 
 was set at rest from the doubting which had arisen when 
 first she looked upon the fresh young manhood and the 
 glorious beauty of the son whom she had not seen for 
 BO long. 
 
 When they parted, Cuchulain gave her his mouth to 
 kiss, which is not always a mother's place when the youth 
 is nearly a man full grown. 
 
 After this followed many months of quiet and peaceful 
 life at Emain Macha, but Cuchulain was not one to let 
 his body wax soft in idleness, HO each day he practised 
 
 * Bodatk = farmer.
 
 40 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 riding or chariot driving under the eye of Laeg, whose 
 knowledge of horses and their ways was almost uncanny, 
 or exercised himself in arms with his cousin Conall, to 
 whom he became more and more attached as time went 
 on until these two became like David and Jonathan in 
 their love and comradeship. And so time went on until 
 Conall, who was the elder, was sent to the court of 
 Greece, to learn somewhat of the art and culture of the 
 Greeks. Very hard Cuchulain begged to be allowed to 
 go with his friend, but this the King, influenced no doubt 
 by Dectera, would not permit; further, he loved the lad 
 and liked always to have him near him. 
 
 About this time Cuchulain was drafted into the Boy 
 Corps of Emain Madia, a corps composed of the sons of 
 chieftains of all the provinces, numbering about one 
 hundred and fifty in all, resident at the Court, to be 
 brought up to the profession of arms and in the noble 
 ways suited to the blood they boasted. 
 
 In this company Cuchulain soon rose to distinction by 
 reason of his wonderful prowess in arms. At the head 
 of the band was King Connor's own son Follaman, a good 
 and fearless youth and a great friend of Cuchulain's, but 
 his greatest friend, now that Connall had gone to Greece, 
 was Ferdia, son of Firbolg Daman. 
 
 At the Court was also another band of boys, who, not 
 being suited to the rough soldier's life, were being trained 
 up for the priesthood by Cathbad, the chief Druid, who 
 was Cuchulain's grandfather. 
 
 One day when the Boy Corps was out exercising, their 
 manoeuvres brought them to the precincts of the Druid's 
 School where old Cathbad was instructing his pupils 
 in the art of divination. 
 
 The day being hot, and the warlike exercises having 
 lasted many hours, Follaman ordered the Boy Corps to 
 lie down upon the grass to rest, which they did, some 
 drawing food from their wallets to refresh themselves, 
 while others wandered idly about watching the priestly 
 scholars at their studies; among those looking on was 
 Cuchulain. 
 
 Now it so happened that as Cuchulain drew near to
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 41 
 
 the Druid's school one of the pupils asked Cathead what 
 kind of enterprise would succeed if taken in hand that 
 day. Cathbad, to humour the youth, who was a favourite 
 pupil of his, bade all of them be silent while he worked 
 a spell. 
 
 Having made his signs upon the ground and carefully 
 considered the matter for some time, the learned man 
 spoke. ' To him who shall this day assume the arms 
 of manhood, all honour! To him who shall this day put 
 on the gear of war, great glory and a deathless name, for 
 he shall be the foremost champion of Ireland. Great 
 shall be his deeds and great the love that men and women 
 shall give to him, yet sorrow dogs his steps for the little 
 span of his life, and soon he shall tread the rainbow 
 bridge which leads to the great beyond. Yet he shall win 
 to his heart's desire and find that which is lost." 
 
 Stay! surely such a one is with us even now." 
 Keenly the old man looked around him with his piercing 
 gaze seeking if he might divine to whom the horoscope 
 related; but Cuchulain, who felt that the prophecy related 
 to him, turned away and covered his face with his shield 
 lest his grandsire should recognise him and remember 
 the prophecy made at his birth by the Druid Morann, for 
 it was not his wish that his destiny should be revealed at 
 that time to his youthful comrades in arms. 
 
 Just then a bell began to ring from the Druid's 
 Sanctuary and, the morning lesson being over, the pupils 
 trooped quietly in to prayer, two by two, with heads 
 reverently bent and arms folded upon their breasts, while 
 before them stately paced the ancient Druid leaning on 
 his staff, truly a venerable figure clothed in a robe of 
 blue and white, with his long and flowing snowy beard, 
 his bald leaf-crowned head, piercing eyes, large hooked 
 nose and gigantic stature. 
 
 As the young priests passed, all the Boy Corps stood up 
 and saluted them, then forming up their ranks, proceeded 
 on their way back to Emain Macha, Follaman saying as 
 they moved off: " Well, my brothers, every man to his 
 taste, I suppose! but for me I would rather serve all ray 
 day* as a common soldier in the service of the King than
 
 42 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 see a hundred victims lie upon the Stone of Sacrifice and 
 me chief Druid." 
 
 A ripple of laughter ran along the ranks, for their 
 leader had ever a droll tongue. 
 
 All the long way back to Emain Macha, Cuchulain was 
 silent, brooding in his dark Celtic mind on the words that 
 had dropped from Cathbad's lips, nor could his comrades 
 anyway rouse him from his reverie as they marched at 
 ease, enlivening the way with song and joke, until the 
 fortress loomed in sight and they were brought to march 
 at attention. With spears properly sloped and shield 
 on arm the Corps marched into the dun, formed into line 
 and were dismissed by their leader. 
 
 As is ever the way with soldiers, they stood about for 
 a few minutes on the parade ground chatting in groups, 
 and then a horn was blown and they strolled casually 
 away to partake of the meal prepared against their 
 return. 
 
 Not so Cuchulain; all the long march home he had 
 been turning the matter over and over in his mind, and 
 knowing that he was almost of the age to assume the 
 arms of manhood, he had now made up his mind to 
 anticipate things a little and to ask the King himself 
 that very day to arm and equip him. 
 
 All dusty as he was, Cuchulain marched boldly into 
 the great hall and right up to the high dais where the 
 King was resting after a hunting expedition and talking 
 over the day's sport with Fergus and other of his 
 companions and chiefs. 
 
 A noble group they made there in the great hall, the 
 last rays of the setting sun seeming to be caught up and 
 held in the colours of their raiment. In the middle 
 lounged the King, a great bronzed man with ruddy chest- 
 nut beard and brawny arms, his form encased in sombre 
 garments of russet brown, while from his shoulders fell a 
 cloak of dull red material; the woollen hose upon his legs 
 were cross-gartered in red, about, his massive neck waa 
 set a torque of red gold, and on his left arm above the 
 elbow a bangle of the same metal; at his side a lone 
 sword hung, and beside him lay a couple of javelins and
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 43 
 
 the buckler he had just cast down; at his feet hie great 
 wolf-hounds reclined, looking up in his face with eyes of 
 canine devotion. 
 
 At the King's right hand stood Fergus, clad in green 
 from tip to toe and leaning on his spear ; a hard and keen 
 looking man, the King's champion, not over big, indeed 
 he looked a mere stripling beside Conor Mac Nessa, and 
 yet his name was known and feared by every evil doer in 
 I'istt.T, by reason of the mighty deeds he had done and 
 the stark justice he had meted out at the King's behest. 
 
 Next to Fergus Mac Itoy stood Felim, the son of Dall 
 an old-time friend of the King. This Felim was a 
 dark and heavy man of mighty stature who seldom smiled 
 and men said was the inost evil man in all Ulster to 
 cross in his cups, or when he was angered; as became 
 his nature, he was clad in sombre black from head to foot, 
 but relieved the dull effect by the gold braiding of his 
 cloak and kilt, the gold cross -gartering of his hose, and 
 the massive brooch of dull red gold with which his cloak 
 was fastened. Next to Felitn stood Firbolg Daman, the 
 father of Ferdia, Cuchulain's dearest comrade in the 
 Boy Corps of Emain Macha. 
 
 Around the King were other courtiers; at his right 
 hand sat Dectera and her maidens variously dressed in 
 gay garments. 
 
 As Cuchulain entered the hall, Felim had just finished 
 peaking and had bidden the King, his courtiers and the 
 Chief Druid to a feast he would make at his dun in the 
 King's honour in a month's time. This invitation the 
 King had gladly accepted, for after fighting and hunting 
 he loved feasting best. 
 
 The King at that moment, turning his head to speak 
 to Dectera, observed Cuchulain standing at the foot of the 
 dais. 
 
 " What would 'st thou with me, boy?" asked he. 
 
 " Grant rne the arms of manhood, Sire," replied 
 Cuchulain. 
 
 " How may this be, for surely thou art not a man full 
 grown and would but find the soldier's weapons nil too 
 great for thee?"
 
 44 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 "Not so, Sire! Already I have done gome small 
 deeds of which it becomes me not to speak, and methinks 
 the weapons of King Conor's self were not too mighty for 
 my grasp." 
 
 ' Well," said the King, laughing tolerantly, " let UK 
 try thee," and calling to the guard he bade him bring 
 two stout javelins, but these Cuchulain shook in his 
 hands until the shafts were shattered. Then they 
 brought him other and stronger weapons, but these he 
 shook to pieces also; next a great war sword was brought 
 to him and this he whirled around and stopping it with 
 a cunning jerk of his wrist, caused the blade to snap off 
 short by the hilt. 
 
 Turning to the King he said: "Sire! if I have now 
 satisfied thee that I can indeed bear arms wilt thou deign 
 to watch my horsemanship to see if I am yet worthy to 
 harness the horses, given me by Cullan, to a chariot of 
 war?" 
 
 Permission being given, Cuchulain went off in search 
 of Laeg to bid him prepare and bring forth " the Grey of 
 Macha " and " Black Sainglend." 
 
 While Laeg was making ready the horses Cuchulain 
 went again within the dun, to prepare himself; he washed 
 the dust from his face and limbs, combed out his hair, 
 bound a fillet of gold about his brow and put the garments 
 given him by Cullan upon his body and the shield of 
 Cullan upon his arm, but the arms of boyhood he left 
 behind him, knowing full well that before sunset greater 
 weapons than these would be given him by the King. 
 
 Meanwhile the King and his Court had assembled on 
 an open space in front of the dun to see Cuchulain pass 
 his tests. On the far side of the plain was drawn up the 
 Boy Corps to watch their comrade's feats; by them on 
 the grass were three chariots of different kinds, which 
 Cuchulain must himself drive and afterwards shew feats 
 of arms in, while Laeg, his charioteer, controlled the 
 horses. 
 
 A murmur of admiration went up from the assembled 
 people as Cuchulain stepped upon the ground, followed 
 by Laeg leading the two noble horses with every accoutre-
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 45 
 
 nient a* specklesg as the care of the good charioteer could 
 make it. 
 
 The horses were led up to the King for his inspection. 
 At a sign from him, four of the young soldiers of the 
 Boy Corps dashed out from the ranks and advanced across 
 the sward dragging behind them the lightest of the three 
 chariots. 
 
 To this chariot the horses were rapidly hitched up; 
 Cuchulain sprang lightly upon the footboard, standing 
 gracefully with feet well apart, his body swaying easily 
 to the excited plunging of the horses, to whose heads 
 Laeg hung tenaciously awaiting the King's signal to let 
 them go. 
 
 The King's arm is raised. Laeg springs back, and the 
 horses leap madly forward as their bridles are released, 
 snjurning the ground from under them and gathering 
 speed with every second 
 
 Firm are the driver's hands upon the reins and perfect 
 his poise while they circle round the course; as the end of 
 the ellipse is reached, Cuchulain weighs sharply on the 
 near side rein and bringing his chariot round on one wheel 
 almost at right angles, dashes madly down the centre of 
 the ground, and turns sharp to the right; when opposite 
 the royal party, he drives straight at them and pulls up 
 dead at the foot of the mound with such suddenness that 
 the axle of the chariot is snapped right through. 
 
 Now the King was well pleased with this fine exhibi- 
 tion of driving, but being anxious to test the lad to the 
 utmost he ordered the horses to be harnessed to a second 
 and heavier chariot; when this chariot was brought up 
 Laeg looked at it carefully and observing that it was 
 clumsily made he whispered to his master not to drive in 
 it if he could in any way avoid the test. 
 
 Instantly Cuchulain turned towards the mound. 
 
 " Your Majesty," said he, " I like not the looks of 
 yonder chariot ! Have I your leave to test it with my 
 hands before committing my body to it?" 
 
 Fergus and the other chiefs looked much surprised, 
 but the King, suspecting some hidden purpose, granted 
 the request.
 
 46 THE HOUND OF CULL AX 
 
 Cuchulain now picked up the pole and weighing it in 
 his hands a moment, he began, to shake it so that the 
 whole chariot rattled, and finally one of the wheels came 
 off and the sides burst open. 
 
 "Ah!" said he, coolly surveying the wreck he had 
 made, " I perceive that this is no proper vehicle in which 
 a man of might may drive two fiery steeds." 
 
 At this saying all the courtiers laughed, and the third 
 and heaviest chariot was brought up, the horses hooked 
 in, and without comment Cuchulain mounted to the floor 
 board. 
 
 In the first tests it will be remembered that he had 
 confined himself to an exhibition of fast driving and the 
 easy manner in which he could dispose of a chariot which 
 he did not consider suitable to his prowess; but this time 
 he wished to shew the perfect mastery he had over his 
 steeds; therefore, he instantly checked them as they 
 bounded away from the restraining hand of Laeg. 
 
 After the first few wild plunges, he broke them into a 
 stately walk, which he increased to a rapid trot and then 
 sent them thundering round the arena at a furious gallop, 
 finally breaking them into a walk again as the circuit 
 was completed ; continuing his progress chanting a war 
 song and turning them left-handed at the quarter distance 
 of the ellipse, he advanced towards the mound, still 
 singing and beating time to the music with his foot. 
 Louder and louder rose the song as he advanced, and 
 fiercer yet became the stamping, so that the whole frame- 
 work shook with the mightiness of the blows, until finally 
 the floor boards were rent asunder as the mound was 
 reached and all men stood amazed at this wonderful 
 exhibition of strength. 
 
 And now the King commanded that his own Avar 
 chariot and weapons should be fetched, and with these 
 a mighty sword and two stout javelins he armed 
 Cuchulain; then he bade them harness to the chariot 
 " Black Sainglend " and " the Grey of Macha." 
 
 Laeg mounted to the chariot and took up the reins; 
 beside him stood Cuchulain armed in his war gear. 
 
 The Boy Corps were placed fifty paces apart around
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 47 
 
 the arena with orders to cast their javelins at Cuchulain 
 and the charioteer as they passed. 
 
 And now the loosened steeds speed madly on their 
 way; as the first thrower is reached Cuchulain bends low, 
 letting the javelin hum harmlessly over his head; the 
 second missile he breaks in mid-air with a cast of his own 
 spear; the third and fourth he catches on his shield, and 
 the fifth he shears through with his sword as it flies, and 
 so on all through the course. Some he dodges, some catches 
 on his shield, and others breaks with his sword, until the 
 last thrower is approached ; his javelin he catches in his 
 hand and sends it hurtling back whence it came., so that 
 it stands in the ground beside its owner's foot. 
 
 Xext he asks two men to stand a hundred paces apart 
 along the centre of the arena with hand on hip leaving 
 a space between the elbtfw and the side. 
 
 The only two who are found willing to take the risk 
 of what is to come are Fergus, the King's champion, and 
 Follainan, the commander of the Boy Corps. So soon 
 as the two are placed in position the chariot comee 
 thundering o'er the sward, and as the first is reached 
 Cuchulain looses a javelin at him which speeds safely 
 between arm and side ; again he repeats the performance 
 as the second is passed. 
 
 And now a mighty shout of approbation makes the 
 welkin ring, for truly has Cuchulain proved his right to 
 the arms of manhood, and for sign of his approval King 
 Connor bids him to keep the weapons and chariot and to 
 use them well in the cause of Ulster. 
 
 Thereafter they all troop back to Emain Macha for 
 the evening meal, and the night is spent in high carouse. 
 Happily the songs of the skalds are listened to, rapidly 
 pass the drinking horns from hand to hand, and many 
 are the tales of deeds of valour of the past which the old 
 warriors tell, until one by one their heads drop upon the 
 board in weariness, or the revellers creap to rest, and the 
 dun is hushed in the quiet of sleep.
 
 48 THE HOUND OF GULLAN 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 AFTER Cuchulain had assumed the arms of manhood, the 
 weeks passed without incident, until it was time for King 
 Conor and his chiefs to journey to the dun of Felim for 
 the feast to which they had been bidden; but to this 
 feast Cuchulain did not go, although, of course, Fergus, 
 as King's champion, went, and also Cathbad the Druid. 
 
 Arrived at the dun of Felim Mac Dall, the royal party 
 washed away the dust of the road from their persons and 
 changed the garments of war, in which men always tra- 
 velled in those troublous times, for the robes of ceremony ; 
 then they were conducted by their host's steward to the 
 great hall. 
 
 This hall was lit by many torches. 
 
 At the high table sat Conor Mac Nessa the King, 
 Felim Mac Dall, Cathbad the Druid, Fergus Mac Roy, 
 and many other heroes of the Red Branch. 
 
 Before them the hospitable board groaned under its 
 weight of good viands, joints of roasted meat, haunches 
 of venison, piles of wheaten cakes, great flagons of mead 
 and ale, and pitchers of strange wines from Greece. 
 
 At the lower board running lengthwise down the hall 
 sat the King's soldiers and the retainers of Felim. 
 
 Now it so happened that at this time the wife of Felim 
 was with child and her labour was upon her ; as the party 
 sat at meat a servant came hurrying from the women's 
 apartments to tell her master that his wife was delivered 
 of a daughter, so all that company rose and drank long 
 life and prosperity, fair beauty, and great love to the 
 new-born infant. 
 
 Jestingly the King bade Cathbad the Druid cast a 
 horoscope for the little maid, and, the instruments of 
 divination being fetched, this the aged man proceeded 
 to do after the board had been cleared and the tables 
 drawn to either side. 
 
 Long and earnestly the Druid studied the signs in the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 49 
 
 saud upon the floor; raptly he gazed into the smoke 
 arising from the sacred fire, wherein none but he might 
 read; tensely the watchers stilled their breathing waiting 
 for the word. 
 
 At last he spoke. " Of all women in Erin this little 
 maid shall grow to be the fairest and best; in body and 
 mind alike shall she be beautiful. In her mouth shall 
 be soft and honeyed words, and in her heart no guile shall 
 be found. Many men shall love her, but one only shall 
 she love, and to him her love will cling always in fair 
 weather and in foul ; at long last she shall wed a King, 
 yet in the tale I see much blood ; the maid will be a pure 
 and noble maid, yet, for her sake, shall the land run red 
 and the last ruin fall upon the Province of Ulster." 
 
 Xow when the rough and superstitious soldiers, aye, 
 and not a few of the chieftains too, heard this saying, 
 they murmured loudly that the child should be brought 
 in and slain before them to arrest the doom words of the 
 Druid. 
 
 In an instant Felim's sword flew clear of its scabbard, 
 and like a lion guarding its litter of whelps, he stood 
 snarling at them in front of the door at the back of the 
 dais which led to the women's apartments, for though all 
 Ulster crashed to ruin, yet should they never touch his 
 little maid. 
 
 For a moment it seemed there would be bloodshed 
 and battle within the hall of Felim Mac Dall. 
 
 But " Let be, let be," said the King; " put up the 
 iron at thy sides. I myself will arrest the doom of which 
 Cathbad speaks. If I read the prophecy aright it means 
 that the maid shall wed some foreign King, and for her 
 sake he shall attack and conquer Ulster. Now this is 
 my judgement in the matter; the infant shall not die as 
 ye wish, but after she has been taken to the Druid's 
 Grove for the ceremony of naming, she shall be handed 
 over to Levarcam, my old nurse, and by her be brought 
 up in the dun within the great forest between here and 
 Emain Madia, from which it is my custom to hunt. 
 When the maid is of a marriageable age I will myself 
 espouse her, but meantime I make the stipulation that 
 
 P
 
 SO THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 none ahall see her but Felim and his wife, Lerau-cam ami 
 myself. Say, Felim, and ye my comrades, does this my 
 judgement please ye? " 
 
 Thus was the bloody strife avoided, and soon those who 
 had so lately drawn their swords upon each other in 
 fierce anger were drinking and singing together in the 
 beet of good comradeship. 
 
 The next day Felim and Conor talked long and earnestly 
 about the future of the maid, whom the mother had 
 decided to call Deirdre. Finally it was arranged that 
 she should stay with her parents until her tenth birthday 
 was celebrated and thereafter she should go to the forest 
 dun in charge of Levarcam until she was seventeen, when 
 her marriage with King Conor should be celebrated. 
 
 So the matter was settled, and Felim begged his guest 
 to stay with him and pass the days in hunting until the 
 time for the naming of the child should arrive, for the 
 host was anxious that Cathbad, the chief Druid of all 
 Ulster, should conduct the ceremony, as was only fitting, 
 for the maid was destined in future years to grace the 
 Queen's throne and to be the first lady in the land. 
 
 Quickly the days passed; each morning the hunters 
 would set out early to chase the beasts of venery or to 
 ,slay the wolves which infested the province, sometimes 
 on foot, sometimes on horseback; at ether times they 
 would go to the champaign country to fly their falcons at 
 partridge and heron. 
 
 Soon the day of naming carne round. 
 The King in robes of state proceeded at evening to the 
 Sacred Grove through which he passed to the Doom 
 Ring beyond, surrounded with its great pillars of stone, 
 in the centre of which stood the Stone of Sacrifice over- 
 shadowed by a gnarled, gigantic oak tree. Here he took 
 his seat, attended by his courtiers and chieftains, while 
 the men-at-arms were drawn up without the pillars. 
 
 Presently the sound of sweet singing was heard, faintly 
 at first, growing louder and louder as the singers advanced 
 along the grove, and the wife of Felim came into sight, 
 bearing the child and attended by a train of beautiful 
 virgins clad in white and with unbound hair, who "sang
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AX 51 
 
 sweetly as they came. By hib wife strode Falun Mac- 
 Dall in gorgeous appnrel of green and gold. 
 
 As the circle of pillars was reached, the parents 
 advanced straight across the centre to the Stone of 
 Sacrifice, before which they knelt in humble devotion, 
 while the maidens, separating to right and left as they 
 passed the entrance, ranged themselves round the circle 
 in front of the pillars, and ceased their singing. 
 
 Now all was silence, save for the warbling of a nightin- 
 gale in a nearby thicket, for all waited for the coming of 
 the Druids. 
 
 Presently the silence was broken, and adown the Grove 
 came pacing the priests; first marched the lesser brethren, 
 clad in long white flowing robes, chanting a deep bass 
 invocation; after them followed one in saffron robes, who 
 led the kid of sacrifice ; and behind him was another who 
 carried the sacred Sickle, and behind him again came two- 
 others in blood-red smocks reaching to the knee and 
 belted in about the middle; these were the slaughterers, 
 who carry the adze and Sacrificial Knife. 
 
 Last of all came Cathbad crowned with a chaplet of 
 oak leaves, clothed in pale blue robes from head to foot, 
 the large hanging sleeves of which were lined and turned 
 back with soft white cloth ; the skirt of the robe finished 
 off with a deep hem of the same white material. About 
 his neck was a golden chain, from w r hich depended the 
 insignia of his office, and in his hand was a stout oaken 
 stave on which he leaned. 
 
 All the people rose and bowed their heads as the 
 procession entered the doom ring, all except the parents, 
 who remained humbly kneeling. 
 
 The priests then ranged themselves around the circle 
 in front of the virgins, while the chief Druid, the slayers 
 and the priests of the Sacrifice and Sickle walked on up 
 to the Stone of Sacrifice, to the right and left and in front 
 of which they took their stand. 
 
 And now everyone kneels while the Druid offers up a 
 prayer for a blessing upon the ceremony ; then the mother 
 advances and lays the littlp child upon the stone between 
 the horns,
 
 52 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " Is this child given unto the Light?" asks Cathbad. 
 ' We give her willingly," respond Felim and his wife 
 together. Whereon the priest with the adze advances 
 and raises his implement on high prepared to strike. 
 
 " What shall be given in exchange for her life?" asks 
 Cathbad. 
 
 " A young unblemished kid," respond the people. 
 
 The kid is led forward and held on high. 
 
 " Look well, oh people," chants the priest. " Is the 
 offering good and without spot or blemish?" 
 
 " The offering is good," respond the men folk. 
 
 " The offering is without spot or blemish," sing the 
 maidens. 
 
 Then he with the adze retires and he with the Sacrificial 
 Knife advances, the offering is bound to the horns above 
 the stone as the mother takes her little one to her breast 
 again. 
 
 As the kid's throat is cut Cathbad advances and 
 catches the blood in a golden basin. " The Sacrifice is 
 consummated," he cries. " How shall she be named 
 who b'es before us in her innocency, who shall come again 
 at wedlock and who shall lie upon the Stone at last in 
 death?" 
 
 " Deirdre," reply the parents, and " Deirdre " cry 
 the people with shouts 01 acclamation. 
 
 " So let it be," says the priest. " May the Light 
 shine upon thee and nourish thee, may the Light give 
 thee grace and beauty." 
 
 And now the blood of Sacrifice is poured out at the 
 foot of the Sacred Oak, and the priests depart, followed 
 by the King and all the people marching silently through 
 the grove in the soft moonlight back to the dun of Felim, 
 where a great feast has been prepared in honour of the 
 new-named maid. 
 
 Next morning, just as the dawn was breaking and the 
 cattle were being driven forth to pasture in a cloud of 
 golden dust, the King and his retinue bade their host 
 good-bye and set off on their return journey to Emaiu 
 Macha.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 53 
 
 Arriving at his own dun at sunset King Conor was mot 
 by the Boy Corps and gladly welcomed home. 
 
 After this, many weeks passed in the business of State 
 and in attending to matters of husbandry, in which the 
 King took a very keen interest. 
 
 As the weeks and months slipped by Cuchulain grew 
 in beauty and manly strength until there was no man 
 like unto him in all the King's company. The maids, aye 
 and matrons, too, began to cast eyes of love and longing 
 upon him and to encompass him about with windy sighs 
 and languid glances, until the menfolk became jealous 
 at the neglect they suffered, and in desperation besought 
 him to take to himself a wife and so save all the bother. 
 This he would not do, for as yet no woman found favour 
 in his sight or filled a place in his mind, so he went to 
 the King and asked permission to go on a long hunting 
 expedition, stating that he wished to obtain some good 
 skins to cure for the winter clothing, but in reality he 
 wanted to get away and think quietly over his plans for 
 the future. 
 
 The permission was readily granted, and two extra 
 servants were offered to minister to his comfort, and 
 to help to look after the horses; but this offer Cuchulain 
 courteously refused, stating that Laeg could look after 
 the horses and do anything for him that was really 
 necessary, and for the rest he would look after himself. 
 The two of them alone would travel faster, and any pelts 
 they got could be cached and picked up again on the 
 return journey. 
 
 All the next day was spent in making ready for the 
 expedition; weapons, traps, and clothing were packed 
 into the chariot, but very little food was taken, the 
 travellers being content to rely upon their skill as hunters 
 to fill their larder. 
 
 For many weeks they journeyed from place to place 
 in their own province, killing their food as they 
 went, and hiding any skins worth keeping, so that they 
 could pick them up again later. 
 
 Very pleasant was this ncmad life; hard at work in 
 the open air all day, the long evenings spent by the
 
 54 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 camp fire, when the sweet-scented smoke went up in 
 straight spirals and the birds in a hundred bushes sang 
 their evensong of thanksgiving ; then to sleep in the open 
 on a bed of springy bracken and soft moss with the 
 heavens for canopy and the stars coming out one by 
 one to peep curiously down upon the sleepers in the still- 
 ness of the woods ; occasionally to turn and wake at the 
 hooting of an owl or the barking of a fox, and then to 
 sleep again until the first kiss of the sun should clear all 
 dreams away. 
 
 Then as the sun began to warm the world and suck 
 up the mists out of the valleys, to plunge into a shady 
 pool or river reach, and to feel the blood go coursing 
 madly through the veins at the first slap of the ice cold 
 water. Oh ! but it was a glorious life and one which 
 Cuchulain and Laeg wished might last for ever, but 
 before the former's eyes danced elusively the mystery 
 of his parentage and the passionate desire for the days 
 of action and wild fighting which should bring his Father 
 to his side and make his identity known to him. 
 
 When the last week's hunting was almost finished and 
 there remained only a few days more before they must 
 commence the return journey to Emain Macha, Cuchulain 
 decided that Laeg should remain in camp and rough- 
 dress the week's kill, while he would saddle " the Grey 
 of Macha " and ride out alone for a last day's hunting. 
 
 Slowly he rode out after the morning meal, letting 
 many a good chance at a noble stag go by, keeping his 
 two great deer hounds resolutely to heel as he rode along 
 musing on the future and making his plans. 
 
 Soon, however, they started a great ten-tined stag; 
 with a wild whoop Cuchulain laid his hounds on 
 the trail and clapping in his spurs gave chase; 
 through the woods they crashed, the horse picking his 
 way cleverly in and out of the gnarled and twisted roots, 
 the rider's face buried in the mane to save his head 
 from the overhanging branches; then they burst out into 
 the open, the quarry in sight and hounds running strongly, 
 two or three hundred yards ahead just about to cross a 
 stream; on they sweep, the river is reached and the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX .M 
 
 grat horse gathers his legs under him and is over it 
 with a mighty bound. Cuchulaiu sees the waters rush 
 and swirl beneath him as they rocket through the air; 
 on, on they sweep hour after hour over the heathery 
 country, the rider firm in his saddle, sitting well down 
 with hands held low on the reins, while the horse flings 
 the miles behind him with his great raking strides. The 
 future and the past are alike forgotten in the exhilaration 
 of that glorious gallop, as over hill and dale they pass 
 until at last, hounds run into their quarry and pull 
 him down on the edge of a wood. Cuchulain leaps from 
 his horse, which stands with dilated nostrils, neck out- 
 stretched, and heaving, smoking sides. Drawing the 
 knife from his girdle he gives the death stroke, and 
 throwing some pieces to the hounds he cuts himself a 
 steak, which he will cook before the " rigor mortis " 
 sets in, for his dinner. 
 
 Going within the woods to search for kindling to build 
 his cooking fire, Cuchulain was surprised to hear the 
 sound of a woman's voice raised in song at no great 
 distance from him. 
 
 Stealthily he crept through the undergrowth, until the 
 words of the song, interspersed by the splashing of water, 
 could be distinctly heard. 
 
 In another moment he came to the banks of a wood- 
 bound lake; resting his weight upon a jutting rock at 
 the foot of which the waters lapped, he gently parted 
 the overhanging branches and peeped out. 
 
 There, not fifty yards away from him, was the most 
 beautiful woman he had ever seen, sporting herself in the 
 lake. Ruddy was the great coil of hair piled high upon 
 her head, round and graceful were the curves of her 
 figure as the sun flashed on the milky whiteness of her 
 arms and shoulders, from which the water ran down as 
 she tossed her hands aloft in playful delight; her cheeks 
 were flushed with health and her full and sensitive mouth 
 promised great joy of kisses. 
 
 Long Cuchulain gazed enraptured and then silently 
 withdrew. What had happened to him? The blood 
 throbbed in his temple*, there wa a curious fluttering
 
 56 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 in his throat, as though his heart was striving to burst 
 its way out, his mouth seemed parched as with great 
 thirst, and he shook in all his limbs. Surely there was 
 new brightness in the sunlight, surely the song of the 
 birds was sweeter? all for the sight of a lovely young 
 girl, in the perfection of her virgin beauty, playing in 
 the pool, unconscious of the passionate watcher. 
 
 Quietly Cuchulain stole back to the spot where he 
 had left horse and hound; bidding the latter lie down, he 
 hobbled " the Grey of Macha," muffling the horse's head 
 in his cloak lest it should neigh and so betray his 
 presence. 
 
 Gone was all thought of the stiffening stag and his 
 half -"prepared dinner as he stole quietly back to the pool, 
 and, peeping out, he observed the maid, now clothed, 
 was about to depart, her hair of burning ruddy gold 
 hanging down to her knees over the green smock-like 
 gown in which she had clad herself. 
 
 Hastily Cuchulain skirted the pool and followed in her 
 footsteps as she sauntered down a sylvan glade humming 
 a little love ballad, stopping here and there to pluck the 
 woodland flowers, which she was weaving into a chaplet 
 for her ruddy locks. 
 
 Soon she left the shelter of the wood and emerged 
 into a field, sloping up to a grim-looking fortress, sur- 
 rounded by a palisade some six or seven feet high. 
 
 All this Cuchulain observed from the edge of the wood, 
 for the country was quite strange to him and he would 
 not risk a hostile reception until he should know more 
 of the maid and her surroundings. Presently he saw 
 her pass through the gate in the palisade, and then he 
 heard a horn winded to call the retainers to their dinner; 
 later in the afternoon he saw a great number of horses 
 brought out upon the plain for exercise, and later still 
 he observed the cattle being driven into the byres after 
 the day's grazing. 
 
 Still he waited on, hoping for somebody to come 
 through the wood who might tell him somewhat of his 
 urroundings ; just as the sun was sinking he heard the 
 grunting and snuffling of pigs, followed by several hearty
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 57 
 
 whacks and squeals, and into view along the glade there 
 came a herd of swine, being driven in from the woods 
 where they had spent the day feeding on the mast and 
 acorn^. 
 
 As the swineherd came level with his hiding place, 
 Cuchulain stepped out and motioned to the man that 
 he wished to speak with him. 
 
 " Friend," said he, " tell me, who is the master of 
 yonder dun, what is his condition and family? for he 
 seems to me to be a warmish man, having a large following 
 and many flocks and herds." 
 
 " Of a truth, my master," replied the man, " thou 
 must have travelled far from thy home if thou knowest 
 not the village of Lusca and the dun where Forgall the 
 Wily lives with his two daughters, Emer and Fiall; but 
 in soothe I should have put them the other way round, 
 for Fiall is the elder of the twain, but Emer is the apple 
 of her Father's eye, and is guarded day and night by 
 doughty champions lest she should wed against his will, 
 and before her Sister Fiall, as well she might, for 
 although the elder is both good and beautiful, yet the 
 younger has the six gifts of womanhood chastity, 
 beauty, song, needlework, wisdom, and a honey-sweet 
 tongue." And now Cuchulain knew that the man spoke 
 of the maiden he had seen bathing in the pool, and 
 his heart sang within him for that she was neither mated 
 nor betrothed and might yet be his. 
 
 So he stripped the gold bangle off his arm and gave 
 it to the swineherd for his information, and made his 
 way back through the wood to the animals. Having 
 Been to the wants of the Grey, he lay down supperless, to 
 go to sleep rolled in his cloak, for it was too late that 
 night to make another kill ; the stag was by this time 
 set too stiff to f-at with comfort, and to get back to his 
 camp was out of the question in the rapidly growing 
 darkness. 
 
 The first beams of the sun striking on his eyelids 
 aroused him the next morning; at once he arose, fed 
 the Grey, and strapped the deer on behind the saddle 
 after having fed the hounds on some strips cut from th
 
 58 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 carcase; his own hunger he somewhat appeased with 
 some wheaten cakes he found in his saddle bag. He 
 then started out on the return journey to Laeg, and, 
 reaching the camp about mid-day, found that individual 
 nearly frantic with anxiety at his master's long-continued 
 absence. 
 
 To Laeg, however, Cuchulain told little of the real 
 reason of his absence, merely saying as he unstrapped 
 the carcase from behind his saddle that the chase had 
 been long and stern, and he had been too tired to return 
 overnight. He then casually added that he had now 
 seen the maiden whom he intended to make his wife, 
 and that they would go to the dun of her Father on the 
 morrow, and in the meantime he would be glad if Laeg 
 would prepare him a meal instead of standing there 
 staring like a fool. 
 
 Wonderingly the charioteer set about his task with 
 many covert glances at his master, whom he had never 
 seen in this mood before. 
 
 After a hearty meal, Cuchulain called to Laeg to get 
 out the spare garments they had brought with them 
 and to help him furbish up their arms and prepare the 
 chariot against the morrow's visit; that night they went 
 to rest full early, for Cuchulain would be up next day 
 with the dawn, grooming the horses until their coats 
 shone like silk and giving the final touches to his own 
 accoutrements. Wonderingly and in silence, the usually 
 loquacious Laeg observed all these preparations next 
 morning, scratching his head from time to time as is the 
 habit amongst grooms and charioteers the world over. 
 
 When all was arranged to Cuchulain's entire satisfac- 
 tion, he dressed himself in the clothes of pride he had 
 carried with him in case lie should visit any great 
 Chief's dun in his wandering, and having given a final 
 look at the get up of his charioteer told him to drive 
 slowly on at a steady trot, in order to save the horses 
 for a spirited and dashing arrival at the dun of Forgall 
 the Wily. 
 
 Steadily they journeyed on through the morning over 
 the country Cuchulain had traversed so recently in pur-
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 59 
 
 suit of the noble stag; about noon they arrived at the 
 wood, wherein was the bathing pool of Emer. There they 
 halted for the mid-day meal, after which all signs of 
 travel were washed away; skirting the wood, they came 
 in sight of the dun. 
 
 Instantly Cuchulain bade Laeg urge his horses to a 
 furious gallop, and such was the thunder of their hoofs 
 and so loud was the rumbling of the chariot as they 
 charged across the sward, that the sound of it came to 
 Emer and her sister Fiall as they sat within the palisades 
 sewing with their handmaidens. 
 
 " Run, one of you, to the turret and see who comes 
 on at such a pace," quoth Emer. 
 
 Immediately one of the girls ran lightly up the stairs 
 and leant out over the battlements from whence she 
 called down, 
 
 " A mighty chariot of war drawn by two fiery steeds, 
 one grey and one black, comes to Dun Forgall; in it is 
 a dark and handsome warrior, clothed in a scarlet cloak, 
 who tosses up a great two-handed sword as the chariot 
 dashes on ; with him is a slim youth who handles his 
 horses superbly, his ruddy hair is bound with an emerald 
 fillet supporting golden ear pieces ! Now the warrior 
 begins to sing, and oh, his voice is as beautiful as his 
 form is gracious." 
 
 Drawing up before the palisades, Cuchulain springs 
 down from the chariot and advancing to the gate hammers 
 loudly thereon with the hilt of his sword. 
 
 The gate is opened by the sentry, and in marches 
 Cuchulain. Observing Emer, and recognising in her the 
 maid of the pool, he walks straight up to her and bowing 
 low announces: " I am Cuchulain of the Red Branch of 
 Ulster, son of Dectera, daughter of Cathbad and Moya, 
 who am come to pay honourable courtship for thy 
 hand. 
 
 ' Young am I, but not a deedless man; crafty in war, 
 well dowered, and one to whom the King himself has 
 granted the arms of manhood. Say maiden, wilt thou 
 mate with me and call me lord'. 1 " 
 Then Emer makes reply.
 
 60 TJ1E HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " Softly, young Sir! for hardly may this be. Surely 
 thy courtship should be paid to Fiall here, my sister, yet 
 unwed ; a good and noble maiden she, and one well skilled 
 in housewifely tasks. Speak then to her, for first must 
 she be wed 'ere ever I may look on man with eyes of 
 love." 
 
 " Emer," answered Cuchulain, " of a truth thy sister 
 is a comely maid and one whom many men may well 
 desire ! but I love thee alone and desire no other ; fair is 
 thy face and fairer still thy body, and mine shalt thou be.'' 
 
 Sir! what dost thou know of my body? " 
 " All that thy mirror of the pool can shew thee." 
 Whereat the maid blushed rosily, half divining that 
 he had surprised her at the bathing place, and now the 
 love of him welled up within her breast, yet would she 
 still deny him for very coquetry. 
 
 Fair may my body be, yet none shall take it who 
 hath not slain his hundreds and who is as yet unsung of 
 skalds : My Father is a mighty man, terrible in 
 his wrath, who holds a blood feud with thy house and 
 line; begone quickly, 'ere he find thee out and slay thee 
 in thy standing." 
 
 "Not so," replied Cuchulain, " I will see thy Father 
 and ask thy hand of him." 
 
 Now Forgall was fetched; right bitterly he laughed 
 and cruelly mocked at the young man when he heard 
 his request. 
 
 " Thou to ask my daughter's hand in marriage, thou 
 with all thy deeds to do; go thou to Skatha, if thou 
 canst pass the Bridge of Leaps, and from her learn the 
 use of arms; then when thou hast done some deeds of 
 might, come back and take my daughter if thou canst 
 I promise her to thee if thou canst win her from Dun 
 Forgall and the Lord of Lusca, thou beardless youngling ! 
 I have a mind to whip thee with rods from my door 
 for thy presumption, but for this time go thou in peace 
 and come not back if thou dost value thy tender hide. 
 Out! Get thee gone!" 
 
 Now Cuchulain was white with rage to be thus flouted 
 in the presence of all that company, yet he looked hia
 
 HIE HOUND OF CULLAX 61 
 
 tormentor fairly in the face, and with flashing eye he 
 quietly answered him. 
 
 " 111 hast thou entreated me, and evil spoken me, 
 my Lord of Lusca; yet will I take thee at thy word. 
 When I come back it shall be with fire and sword. 
 Around thy head the walls of Dun Forgall shall crumble, 
 and to thine own doorpost will I nail thine ears a sign 
 of Cuchulain's might ! But see that thou dost not mate 
 the maid 'ere I return, or I will stuff thy carcase with 
 straw and hang thee from yonder battlements, a warning 
 to all men of the fate of a foresworn foeman." 
 
 Then he turned him about, and just as he was ready 
 to mount his chariot, Emer threw all caution to the 
 winds and braved her Father's wrath. 
 
 " Oh, Cuchulain! bold is thy look and bolder still thy 
 words, and thou hast stirred me to the core as no man 
 ever before hath done. Go thou forth, do thy deeds, 
 and then return to claim me, and now truly I think that 
 I am fey, for it comes upon me that we two shall 
 mate and love each other all our days; great love shall 
 I give thee but no child, for thou shalt break thy vows 
 and take another mate before I lie in thy arms in the 
 quiet night watches; a son shall she give thee, but him 
 shalt thou slay in expiation of thy sin." 
 
 Fiercely Cuchulain swears his love and faith, and yet 
 as he starts out on the long journey to Emain Macha 
 he is very silent, for his spirit is weighed down with a 
 grave premonition of evil days to come, nor can the 
 cheery talk of Laeg arouse him. 
 
 Hour after hour they drive steadily on until night 
 overtakes them and they camp by the way.
 
 62 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 ARRIVED at Emain Macha, Cuchulain went straight to 
 his Mother's bower and told her all that had happened 
 to him. At first she did her very best to dissuade 
 him from setting out in search of Skatha, but finding 
 his purpose fixed, she advised him to consult Fergus 
 Mac Roy, who had himself received his early training 
 in arms from Skatha, and would therefore be able to tell 
 him what he should do if he would come to the Land of 
 Shadows where she lived. 
 
 Fergus on being consulted told Cuchulain that Skatha 
 was the mightiest woman warrior, with the possible excep- 
 tion of Aifa, in all the world, and of the true Amazonian 
 type. 
 
 " Listen carefully, Cuchulain," said he; " something 
 of Skatha I have already told thee ! A good and gracious 
 woman is she, having a greater knowledge of the practise 
 of arms than anyone else in the Universe; moreover, 
 she is a kind and loyal friend to those she loves, but a 
 pei'fect fury if her anger is roused. To an apt pupil she 
 will teach all that she knows ; but to one who is lazy or a 
 coward she will shew no mere} 7 , setting him many diffi- 
 cult tasks speedily to encompass his end and thus rid 
 herself of a tiresome charge. 
 
 " Her greatest ambition is to find one sufficiently brave 
 and intelligent to whom she may give the Gae Bolg a 
 weapon about which thou wilt learn if ever thou shouldst 
 come to the Land of Shadows; for many years I strove 
 to attain this honour, but alas it was not for me." 
 
 Fergus sighed deeply, and then continued, " On this 
 side of a dreadful chasm, which may only be crossed by 
 the Bridge of the Leaps, thou wilt find many noble 
 youths whom she instructs. They remain on this side 
 of the chasm, because the last two feats which Skatha 
 teaches are the Heroes' Salmon Leap, by which the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 68 
 
 Bridge is crossed, and the use of the Gae Bolg, of nhich 
 I have already spoken." 
 
 " Ah, well," said Cuchulain, interrupting the narra- 
 tive, " it is evident that my task is to be doubly difficult 
 from the outset, for it seems to me that Forgall, well 
 named the Wily, has put me under geise to cross the 
 Bridge before I commence my instructions from 
 Skatha! " 
 
 " That is serious," said Fergus, " for it is usually the 
 lust feat she teaches; still thou canst but do thy best. 
 
 " Xow to come to the Dun of Skatha, thou must first 
 cross the Seas to the Isle of Skye, then thou must go 
 by way of dense forest paths, until a great tract of desert 
 land, in which is to be found but little water, is reached; 
 after this is traversed, thou wilt come to the swamps 
 which are named ' The Plains of III Luck,' and how thou 
 art to pass over this Plain is more than I can say, for 
 it seems that thou art determined to set off at once, 
 and as Skatha has not accepted thee as a pupil, no 
 guide will be sent to pilot thee across; if, however, it is 
 vouchsafed that the way be made clear to thee, thou 
 shalt arrive at a beast infested glen, wherein will be 
 found much work for thy spear and blade. This peril 
 once passed in safety, then thy journey is almost ended, 
 for the Bridge of Leaps will have been reached. And 
 now I have told thee all the perils of the way, say, 
 Cuchulain ! were it not wise for thee to wait six months 
 until the next draft of young warriors starts out in a 
 body for the Land of Shadows? " 
 
 Cuchulain thanked Fergus courteously for his instruc- 
 tions and advice, stored up the former in his memory, 
 hut refused to take the latter, for with the beauty of 
 Emer ever before him he was all on fire to be away on 
 his journey, feeling that the sooner he started the sooner 
 he would be back, and the sooner he was back the sooner 
 he might win her for his own, and take his just revenge 
 upon Forgall for the affront he had put upon him. 
 
 And now a month passed in making ready for the 
 journey. First the King's permission had to be obtained, 
 and this was easy, for nothing was ever denied to
 
 64 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 Cuehulain by Connor Mac Nessa; then a long dragon of 
 war had to be found, manned and provisioned for the 
 voyage, and lastly arrangements had to be made for the 
 disposal of Laeg and the chariot and horses, while he was 
 away, and these latter he left in the charge of his friend 
 Follaman, Commander of the Boy Corps of Emain Macha. 
 
 At last the time for his departure came round, the 
 last farewell was spoken, and the weary day of leave- 
 taking had drawn to a close. On the morning of the 
 morrow Laeg sadly harnessed the horses to the chariot and 
 drove his beloved master to the coast, where he embarked 
 aboard the ship which wore out to sea just as the sun 
 was sinking in crimson splendour in the West. 
 
 Of what passed during the voyage Cuehulain knew 
 nothing, for he was very sick ; indeed he was most heartily 
 thankful when at last the coastline hove in sight and 
 lie w r as able to plant his feet on firm ground once more. 
 
 As he said to the grim old sea dog who captained the 
 boat, " The sea was all very well for those who liked it, 
 well was it to sing about also, but for him he preferred 
 the dry land where at least a man was master of his 
 own legs." 
 
 That night he rested at a little fishing village, feeling 
 very lonely and sad without Laeg, from whom he had 
 never before been separated since the day of the latter's 
 capture. The next morning he purchased a sturdy cob 
 and commenced his perilous journey in earnest. 
 
 Mile after mile he travelled inland over gradually 
 rising ground until a faint blue haze on the sky line, 
 growing plainer every minute, led him to believe that 
 he was approaching the forests of which Fergus had 
 spoken. When the dense growth of timber was fairly 
 in view he decided to oft-saddle, preferring to pass the 
 night in the open rather than to trust himself within 
 the doubtful shelter of the trees. 
 
 At the breaking of the day Cuehulain awoke to s ^ the 
 heralds of the dawn wing out, the light reflected from 
 pinion and breast as they flew forth across the sky from 
 peak to peak, from sea to woodland, summoning the 
 world to live again after its brief annihilation in sleep ;
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 65 
 
 wakiug the people to joy or sorrow, to work or ease, 
 leading them yet one step nearer to the Great Abyss, into 
 which we all must pass. 
 
 With such thoughts stirring dimly and but half 
 realised in his breast he saddled his horse and, eating of 
 his scanty fare as he rode, passed sadly from the sunlight 
 into the shadow of the trees, travelling slowly down a 
 narrow ride between great trunks like the majestic aisle 
 of some vast cathedral; no birds sang in the sombre 
 density of this great wood, his horse's feet made no sound 
 on the carpet of thickly strewn pine needles, only the 
 murmur of the wind in the tree tops came to his ears 
 like the whisperings of the souls of the forgotten dead. 
 
 Moodily he mused on his future, wondering almost 
 hopelessly as he passed what chance he had of reaching 
 the Dun of Skatha alone and unaided; almost he wished 
 he had taken the advice of Fergus and waited for the 
 marching of the new draft, for, as is so often the case, 
 that which had held no terrors in the secure peace of 
 home loomed very large and terrible now he was far 
 away in the awful silence of this dense forest. Even 
 the horse seemed to feel the saddening influence of his 
 surroundings, and, suiting his gait to the rider's mood, 
 paced dejectedly along with head down-hung. 
 
 Realising presently that at this pace he would never 
 get out of the wood by nightfall, Cuchulain shook the 
 reins and with an exclamation of " C'up horse," trotted 
 briskly forward, even trying to lighten the way by trolling 
 forth a song, but so overpowering was the influence of 
 his surroundings that soon the song trailed off into silence, 
 and once again the black mood swept down upon him. 
 
 In this way some ten miles were traversed before he 
 halted to feed his horse and eat his own mid-day meal, 
 after which he again trotted forward and then, judging 
 from the ever-growing darkness that evening was 
 approaching, he put his horse to a sharp canter and, just 
 as the sun was sinking, emerged on the far side of the 
 wood with a heartfelt sigh of thankfulness at being free 
 of its depressing influence at last. 
 
 In front of him was a lovely stretch of greensward,
 
 M THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 sloping down to a swiftly running stream, and beyond 
 that again a thin belt of trees, which were yet thick 
 enough to obscure the view of the country beyond. On 
 the banks of the stream he decided to camp for the night ; 
 having taken the saddle and bridle off the horse he 
 allowed him to roll and to crop the luscious grass. 
 Stripping off his clothes, Cuchulain plunged into the 
 stream; there after feeling much refreshed, he ate his 
 supper, and finally rolling himself in his cloak he went to 
 sleep. 
 
 Next morning he awoke, bathed and fed, groomed his 
 horse, and riding forward across the stream he passed 
 through the belt of trees out into the open country 
 beyond, and now a wide open panorama was spread out 
 before him; for miles grassland, to delight the heart 
 of the hunter, rolled away, lavishly besprent with flowers, 
 which lent a pleasant dash of colour to the scene; 
 here and there were dotted clumps of trees and 
 belts of scrub, in the middle distance there shewed 
 an outcrop of rock rising some hundreds of feet 
 into the air, beneath which nestled a farmstead, 
 or dwelling of some kind; beyond this so far as the eye 
 "nuld see, right up to the horizon, stretched what looked 
 from that distance like arable land. 
 
 After the dense gloom of the forest through which he 
 had so recently passed, the sight of this glorious open 
 country was sheer delight to the traveller. 
 
 With a joyous whoop, Cuchulain clapped his heels into 
 his horse's sides and sent him forward at a rattling gallop 
 over the turf, then remembering he had yet many miles 
 to traverse he eased him to the hand canter which eats 
 up mile after mile, tireless and untiring. 
 
 Now indeed could Cuchulain sing; all the doubts and 
 sorrows of yesterday were thrown aside, the future seemed 
 bright with promise and filled with hope ; so easily do we 
 lay away one mood and replace it with another as our 
 environment changes for better or worse. True it is that 
 the day may come when we are so hardened and em- 
 bittered by the cruel buffetings of Fate that, no matter 
 how beautiful our surroundings, we remain sceptical and
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 67 
 
 sad ; or it may be that some great sorrow has irretrievably 
 saddened our lives, and do what we will we cannot get 
 free of the misery in our hearts, which, like a horrid 
 canker, eats away the joy of living; yet, thank God, 
 there are few men in the world who cannot truly return 
 thanks to their Maker that they are alive on such a day 
 as that on which Cuchulain galloped over the springy 
 turf from the wood of dull care, nor was he of the number 
 of misanthropes; as yet no great sorrow had come into 
 his life, nor was he, in spite of his fits of sullen brooding, 
 of anything but a sunny nature. 
 
 He watched his shadow, long in front of him when he 
 started, gradually shorten up under him and disappear as 
 the sun beat down from overhead, and then as the day 
 went on stretch away behind. 
 
 Hour after hour the hill rose up into clearer view as 
 he approached it, until at last the farmstead at the base 
 of it was reached. Very curious was the formation of 
 this hill, and quite worthy of a special description. 
 
 About a mile long at the base by half a mile wide, it 
 mounted sheer into the air for some four or five hundred 
 feet without break or foothold, composed of a dull 
 rocky substance, with great streaks of shining black stone, 
 relieved with green and blood red veins. The topmost 
 rock was shaped like the head of a boar, and from between 
 the eyes welled out a stream of clear water, which divided 
 on either side of the snout and ran down the face of the 
 cliff in two cascades. The whole mass was absolutely 
 devoid of vegetation, and as Cuchulain afterwards 
 learned, no birds ever settled thereon. 
 
 For some time he sat quite still in his saddle, gazing 
 intently at this strange phenomenon until he was aroused 
 from his reverie by people running out from the 
 farmhouse to discover who the horseman might be who 
 sat and gazed so quietly at the rock, which, of course, 
 had no unusual features to those who lived beneath its 
 shadow and gazed upon it day by day. 
 
 Eagerly the young people questioned him as to who 
 he was, whence he came, and what was the object of his 
 journeying, until Cuchulain was like to be fairly mazed by
 
 68 THE HOTJND OF CULLAN 
 
 the ceaseless rain of their questioning; just then, howeTer, 
 the farmer himself appeared and put a period to the in- 
 quisition, saying, " Gently, gently, my children, yonder 
 gentleman is perhaps aweary with much travel, all in his 
 own good time he will doubtless tell us his story, if it 
 pleases him so to do; if not, then let him go on his way 
 refreshed and rested, the hospitality of the House of the 
 Rock is at his service just the same." 
 
 Thus saying the old man invited Cuchulain to dismount, 
 and bade one of his sons lead away the tired horse and 
 feed and stable him comfortably. 
 
 The farmer was a very aged man, clad in rough home- 
 spun kilt and upper garment, over which was cast a 
 thick woollen cloak to keep out the chilly evening air; 
 he was a fine-looking old man, stoutly built and standing 
 well over six feet in height, with a snowy beard so long 
 that the ends of it hung down almost to his knees, he 
 had a large straight nose, over which flashed a pair of 
 piercing grey eyes keen as a hawk's; what little of his 
 cheeks his beard allowed to be seen were red and wizened, 
 like a year-old apple long forgotten in the straw of the fruit 
 loft, while his countenance was instinct with jollity and 
 good comradeship. 
 
 " Thou wilt lie here this night, stranger? " he queried, 
 adding, " right glad shall we be of thy company, who have 
 but few visitors to our outland home." 
 
 Thus saying he led the way into the " house-place " 
 of the farm. The door, made out of one solid block of 
 wood and hung upon leathern hinges, creaked noisily 
 under his hand as he pulled it open; within, the room 
 glowed ruddily in the light from a cheery fire of logs 
 crackling upon the hearthstone, beside which mugs 
 of ale were set to warm, for it was late summer 
 and the evenings began to be chilly; above the fireplace 
 the wall bulged out, making a hood under which the 
 family could sit in winter time telling tales around the 
 fire, and on this wall hung two great boar spears crossed, 
 down the centre of the room was a massy oak beam 
 supporting the roof, up to which the smoke-blackened 
 rafters sloped steeply from the walls, supported here and
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 69 
 
 there by gnarled and twisted beams, rough and almost 
 untrimmed, just as they had been lopped from the parent 
 tree. Around the walls were many trophies of the chase 
 and many a weapon of war. 
 
 Upon the floor of beaten earth were cast the rough 
 pelts of wolves, and in the centre stood the table spread 
 for the evening meal. 
 
 As the farmer and his guest entered the room, two 
 great wolfhounds rose up from before the fire growling 
 fiercely, their hackles bristling at the sight of a stranger; 
 at a word from their master they sank down again, quiet, 
 save for an occasional rumbling growl when Cuchulain 
 shifted his position on the settle whereto his host had 
 led him. 
 
 Presently the farmer's sons and daughters came in one 
 by one, and drew up round the board for supper; the 
 meal being disposed of the men folk, taking their mugs of 
 ale with them, assembled round the fire and began to talk 
 of this and that in desultory fashion. Presently the women 
 joined them. 
 
 Cuchulain, seeing that they were only making conver- 
 sation, while, in reality, anxiously waiting for him to tell 
 them something of himself and of his journey, began 
 to tell them all that tale of his wanderings and of 
 how he was journeying to the home of Skatha to gain 
 his final proficiency in the profession of arms. 
 
 Quietly they listened to him until all the tale was told 
 and he had again taken up his mug to quench the thirst 
 engendered by so much talking, and then the old man 
 spoke. 
 
 " My son! of the difficulties of thy journey and of the 
 perils of the path I know only too well, for until the last 
 four years, during which my limbs have grown aweary 
 with age, it was I who was wont to guide Skatha's pupils 
 to Skatha's dun from this great rock, at which we found 
 thee gazing with such wonder. 
 
 " I think thou hast done wrong in not following the 
 advice of Fergus to await the draft, for hardly mayest 
 thou, all unaccompanied as thou art, overcome the 
 dangers to be met, nor do I think that thou wilt win
 
 70 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 to th Bridge of the Leaps unguided. Still it may 
 be ! for thou hast a brave and noble look and certainly 
 thou dost not lack courage, else would'st never have 
 attempted the journey at all. But how thou wilt come 
 through the Plain of 111 Luck, which is nothing more 
 nor less than a great shaking bog a death-trap to those 
 who do not know the secret of the paths is more than 
 I can say. Perhaps I can advise thee how to start, but 
 thereafter thou must feel thy way foot by foot with the 
 butt of thy spear, and that is like to be a long business, 
 so that it well may be that thou shalt starve in the 
 swamps if thou dost not die of thirst in the desert land 
 beyond the rock." 
 
 Then spake the eldest son. 
 
 ' Young Sir! of the land beyond the desert I know 
 naught, but the desert I know well, for I have crossed it; 
 three days did it take me on a swift, enduring horse, no 
 food was there for man nor beast, nor water either; there- 
 fore this is my word to thee. Stay here a day or twain, 
 and then set out again upon the wayfaring, well pro- 
 visioned and carrying plenty of water, when thy horse is 
 well rested from the journey he has already done." 
 
 " Aye! So say I, too," added the farmer; " stay here 
 and right welcome ! Thus mayest thou finish yet another 
 stage of journeying, and perchance come to the end of 
 thy wanderings with the life still whole in thy body." 
 
 So Cuchulain was bound to curb his impatience, and 
 for the next few days he stayed at the farm, hearing 
 strange tales of the land through which he must soon 
 pass, and stranger tales of adventure from the days when 
 the old farmer had piloted other pupils across the Plains 
 of 111 Luck and through the Perilous Glen. 
 
 Fergus, the old man remembered well, and many 
 another famous warrior besides; right eagerly he ques- 
 tioned Cuchulain as to their doings out in the great world, 
 far beyond the ken of his peaceful home life; gladly the 
 young man answered him, delighting his host with stirring 
 tales of the hero-acts of those he had known in their far off 
 youth, when, to him, the world was young and the blood 
 of Life's springtime coursed wildly in his veins.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 71 
 
 Thus Cuchulain rested, regaining his strength and 
 taking his good horse out for exercise each day until his 
 vigour came back to him and they were ready to proceed 
 on their way to the land of mystery beyond the desert. 
 
 On the last night of his stay at the farmstead Cuchulain 
 sat with his host by the fire carefully noting every detail 
 of his future journeying and the advice the old man 
 offered.
 
 72 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 CHAPTEB VI 
 
 WITHIN an hour of the dawn wind rustling the leaves 
 against the roof thatch, Cuchulain was astir, rising early 
 to prepare his horse against the journey. 
 
 Imagine then his surprise on going out to the byre 
 where the horse was stabled, to find the farmer's eldest 
 son just putting the finishing touches to the grooming; 
 when it was done they returned to the homestead together 
 and discovered the farmer packing up a sack of fodder 
 to strap behind the saddle, and the farmer's wife filling 
 a wallet with provision to stay Cuchulain on his way, 
 while close behind lay a skin well filled with wine which 
 he must also carry. 
 
 This kindly thoughtfulness for his comfort stirred 
 Cuchulain deeply, and most earnestly he thanked them, 
 pressing upon his host a bulky purse of gold, but this 
 the old man would in no wise accept, saying that he 
 found great joy in furthering the enterprise of so grand 
 a pupil to Skatha, and all the reward he craved was that 
 his guest would mention the old guide to his erstwhile 
 mistress. 
 
 Then they breakfasted heartily off great rounds of beef 
 and steaming venison pasties, washed down with mighty 
 draughts of home-brewed ale. 
 
 When the meal was over the son went forth to saddle 
 the horses, proposing to set Cuchulain a day's journey on 
 his way through the desert lands; for this first stage it 
 was decided that the farm horse should carry all the pro- 
 visions, wine and water skins, so that the other animal 
 might remain fresh for his longer travel. Soon all was 
 arranged, and the riders sprang to saddle, Cuchulain's 
 steed indulging in two or three lusty bucks when his 
 master was firmly settled, to prove that he was fit as 
 hands and good corn could make him for the task before 
 him. 
 
 So amid shouts of farewell from the men and waving
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 73 
 
 of kerchiefs by the women folk, they rode out and crossed 
 the shoulder of the hill into the great unknown as the sun 
 \vas mounting high in the heavens, winking back in joyous 
 flashes from the burnished splendour of Cuchulain's 
 accoutrements. 
 
 On they rode, on and on hour after hour, at that loping 
 canter which eats up the vanishing miles of space, until 
 they halted in late afternoon to eat their first repast, and 
 now one goes on and one goes back, for henceforth 
 Cuchulain must journey alone till he wins by devious ways 
 to the Dun of Skatha. 
 
 Sadly the farmer's son transfers his load to Cuchulain's 
 horse and, after a hearty farewell, watches until the 
 figure of the young man has vanished over the horizon. 
 Then, with a sigh, he turns his steed homeward, bitterly 
 regretting in his heart that by reason of his humble birth, 
 he too may not face the great world and win honour by 
 deeds of bravery and daring, yet firmly resolving to follow 
 in some great lord's fighting tail if opportunity but serve. 
 
 Cuchulain, too, is somewhat sad as he journeys on 
 mile after mile in the desolate and all-engulfing loneliness 
 of those drearily silent plains. There is no sound of bird 
 or beast to cheer his way; even the hoof -beats of hia 
 steed are dulled in the sand, and the only break in the 
 monotony is the creaking of saddle leather against warm 
 flesh or an occasional metallic ring as the tip of the 
 sword scabbard strikes against spear butt or stirrup iron. 
 
 In this way the first and second days' journeying are 
 passed, without incident, and though it is mightily de- 
 pressing the rider does not grumble, for he knows that one 
 more day in the dreary waste will bring him to the Plain 
 of 111 Luck, and mean yet another stage accomplished 
 in his self-sought task, and so he is rather inclined to 
 congratulate himself on the success of his efforts ; but 
 " softly, my friend! That fickle jade, Dame Fortune, 
 does not always smile, and may yet try a fall to test thy 
 mettle." 
 
 And so it comes to pass that Cuchulain, over anxious 
 to be upon his way, rides forward next day before it is 
 light and quickly reaps the reward of hig folly, for the
 
 74 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 good horse cantering on puts his foot into a hole and 
 comes crashing to ground with a scream of agony; 
 Cuchulain rolls clear as he falls, and quickly springing to 
 his feet, finds that the water skin has burst and the horse 
 has smashed his fetlock. 
 
 Sadly he gazes upon his fallen steed, the sorrow welling 
 up in his warm Celtic heart, for full well he knows that 
 never again will the good animal gallop out over the 
 springy turf or buck beneath a rider to shew his mettle; 
 for him all days are done and the last joy of hot, pulsing 
 blood in the maddened chase is past; pitifully the pain- 
 dimmed eyes of the horse are turned upon the master 
 whose haste has brought this woe upon him. 
 
 Inevitably Cuchulain knows that he must free the 
 spirit from its pain and so, stooping to pat the faithful 
 servant of his will, he flings his cloak before the eyes to 
 hide the glint of the merciful steel, and drawing his 
 hunting-knife plunges it firmly in the horse's throat, 
 ridding him of his pain and letting the warm blood gush 
 out in a red stream, which is quickly sucked up by the 
 thirsty sands. 
 
 Well ! it is over, and now he must set to work to load 
 himself with the provision wallet and wine skin before he 
 continues his journey on foot. 
 
 Better had it been for him had the wine skin burst 
 and that containing the water been left intact, for when 
 the great thirst comes every drop of that liquid will be 
 precious as minted gold, and when the throat is parched 
 and the senses reeling madness follows swiftly on the 
 drinking of wine or spirit. 
 
 Stolidly he tramps on, the sand clogging his feet at 
 every step ; the end of the third day finds him still in the 
 desert, instead of well clear of it as he had hoped, 
 and so he sits down on the sand with no means of 
 making a bivouac after his long and dusty tramp; he is 
 hungry and thirsty, but the crumbs of the oaten cake 
 stick in his throat, and the wine with which he tries to 
 wash them down turns his blood to fire, until at last he 
 gives it up, and rolling himself in his cloak he dozes and 
 tries to forget his troubles in sleep, but sleep will not
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 75 
 
 come; bis eyes prick and his feet are sore and swollen, 
 so that he tosses from side to side, vainly cursing the 
 drowsy Goddess. At last he falls into a fitful slumber, 
 only to spring up in a few minutes with a violent start, 
 thinking he hears again his horse's dying scream; crossly 
 he lies down and drops off again, dreaming he sees Emer 
 in the pool coming to him with a silver goblet of crystal 
 clear water to slake his thirst, and wakes to take it from 
 her gentle hands, but only finds himself alone in the 
 pitiless silence of the waste. 
 
 There the dawn finds him wakeful, hollow-eyed and 
 unrested. He cannot eat and dare not drink the wine, for 
 madness lies that way, and so he gets wearily to his feet 
 and pushes on, suffering agonies as the sun mounts up 
 and up, beating with implacable fury on his undefended 
 frame. 
 
 On he goes with starting eyeballs and thirst-blackened 
 tongue lolling out, feeling that a band of red hot steel 
 encircles his brow, until he stumbles, and with a gasping, 
 croaking cry, " I can no more, Emer farewell ! " he sinks to 
 the ground, prepared stoically to await the end. Gradu- 
 ally his senses reel and leave him, confused babblings 
 come from his lips till he lies quiescent, close to the bosom 
 of the great Mother Earth from whom we came and to 
 whom we shall return at the last. 
 
 Vainly he murmurs to the All-Father. " Is this the 
 end or but the torpor stealing on which heralds the great 
 disillusionment?" and so sinks to oblivion. 
 
 But all is not yet over. Rising mysteriously and 
 seeming to gather his being from the Sun's rays comes a 
 man of glorious and radiant countenance, perfect of form 
 and lordly in his bearing. 
 
 With loving Father gaze he looks upon the exhausted 
 youth, noting with eyes of pride the beauteous symmetry 
 of the drooping figure, then stooping swiftly he pillows the 
 heavy head within the crook of his arm and moistens the 
 lips again and yet again from a little flask he carries. 
 
 Slowly the spirit awakens, and shudder upon shudder 
 passes through the all-spent body; at last the eyelids 
 quiver and open, then Cuchulain realises that aid has
 
 76 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 come to hijn in his direst hour of need and he is alone no 
 longer; he would start up upon his feet, but his rescuer 
 presses him firmly back, saying : " Sleep my son ! I will 
 watch over thee and help thee on thy journey when thou 
 art fully rested." 
 
 And so Cuchulain sleeps, and the wondrous stranger 
 with the visage of light departs, but soon returns, bearing 
 easily upon his back a large wheel, encircled by a flaming 
 edge which shoots forth rays, hot as the sun at noon. 
 This he places on the ground and carefully covers with his 
 cloak, thereafter sitting quietly by the side of the sleeping 
 boy, musing upon strange matters. Who shall say what 
 his thoughts are, who he is or from whence he comes; 
 and yet Cuchulain turning in his sleep takes the strange 
 man's hand and murmurs happily in his sleep like a baby 
 cradled on its mother's bosom. 
 
 For hour after hour he sleeps the sleep of utter pros- 
 tration and all the while the stranger stays beside him 
 sheltering him with his own body, never moving, neither 
 eating nor drinking, but simply sitting there still as a 
 graven image. 
 
 At last, as late afternoon was drawing to the shades of 
 evening, the youth awakened, and being given food and 
 drink was once again thoroughly refreshed; but now his 
 curiosity was aroused and he questioned the stranger 
 eagerly as to who he was, whither he had travelled and 
 how came he there with never a steed to bear him. 
 
 The stranger smiled indulgently at all this rain of 
 questions, then made reply in a sweet, strong voice : 
 
 " Cuchulain yes, thy name is known to me my name 
 I may not tell thee yet, nor whence I come; suffice it 
 for the present that I came by a path that even thou 
 mayest not tread, but surely my voice is familiar to thy 
 ear? for I have spoken once before to thee. Ah ! by thy 
 look it is plain that the memory has passed, but think of 
 thy first fight, when, through all the battle fury, a voice 
 spoke, bidding thee spare the young charioteer who lay 
 beneath thy dripping blade." 
 
 ' ' Was it indeed thy voice that spoke to me then, my 
 dear lord?" asked Cuchulain. " Wilt thou not tell me
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 77 
 
 who thou art who hast so strangely come to succour me, 
 for greatly am I drawn to thee, and gladly would I know 
 thy name that I may think of thee in times to come." 
 
 " Nay, my son, I may say no more save this, once 
 more shall we meet before you tread the rainbow bridge 
 of doom, and then, in the hour of thy greatest need, will 
 many things be made plain which now are shrouded in 
 mystery. Now sleep, and in the morning shalt thou start 
 once more on thy wanderings to the land of Skatha." 
 
 As the stranger finished speaking Cuchulain turned 
 away his eyes to gaze upon the sunset. On the horizon 
 the sky was flooding to crimson splendour 'neath the high 
 hung velvet pall of night, finally turning slowly to faintest 
 primrose as star after star peeped out in silvery radiance. 
 Cuchulain 's mind was charged with strange thoughts as 
 he lay down to sleep. Then the quiet dark crept down 
 and all the world slept, hushed quiet on the tender breast 
 of old Mother Nature. 
 
 Dreamless and peaceful was the wanderer's rest that 
 night as he lay with limbs relaxed and head pillowed on 
 cross flung arm, the stranger brooding near him, until he 
 too slept in the all-encircling silence beneath the tranquil 
 sky. 
 
 The soulful calling and whistling of a plover awakened 
 them next morning as the dawn was breaking and all the 
 wastelands lay swathed in purple mist, against which 
 Cuchulain's up-struck spear shewed black in hard outline. 
 
 Lazily they stretched and yawned in the first flood of 
 returning consciousness. 
 
 Like water poured flashing from a river, light began to 
 spread over the plain; dimly mystic clouds, rose-tinted, 
 gathered and spread over the horizon, and then the 
 fingers of the dawn shot out across the sky. Cuchulain 
 shuddered in that revulsion of feeling which follows close 
 upon the awakening of the soul from slumber. 
 
 " Half had I expected to find thee gone, Sir Stranger," 
 cried Cuchulain, " deeming thee but a phantom of my 
 brain conjured up to torment me in the hour of dissolu- 
 tion." 
 
 Laughingly the stranger bade him rise and eat, for he
 
 78 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 must be early on his way if he would reach the end of the 
 desolate lands by nightfall. 
 
 After the frugal meal was over, the stranger drew his 
 cloak from the glittering wheel at which Cuchulain looked 
 askance. 
 
 " My son, take thou this wheel, and on thy journeyings, 
 roll it before thee ; it shall be thy guide to the edge of the 
 desert and on through the Plains of 111 Luck ; it shall dry 
 thy path from thence through the Perilous Glen, but 
 over the Bridge of Leaps must thy way be won alone." 
 
 Eagerly does Cuchulain bend to examine the mystic 
 fairy wheel which is to be his guide; then, turning to 
 thank his friend for the gift, he finds himself alone, but 
 looking up, he thinks he sees a form flashing aloft on the 
 path of a sunbeam. So the mysterious visitant passes. 
 
 Strapping on his sword and buckler, Cuchulaiu takes up 
 his javelin and bundles, sets the wheel rolling and follows 
 in its path. Thus does he journey throughout the day, 
 halting now and then to eat some food; towards evening 
 trees begin to appear above the horizon on the swelling 
 uplands he is approaching ; right glad is he to rest at last 
 beneath their shade on the banks of a pleasant river. 
 When he has so rested awhile and prepared his bivouac he 
 strips off his clothes and plunges into the water, which 
 soothes his aching limbs, and quickly serves to wash away 
 the dust and stains of the long day's march. 
 
 After the bath follows the evening meal, and then 
 Cuchulain looks about him for the first time in the 
 rapidly fading twilight. 
 
 In the beauty of his present surroundings, the fatigues 
 of the desert past, and the terrors of the Perilous Glen to 
 come, are almost forgotten. It seems that the gods, 
 knowing the weakness of mortal flesh and the arduous 
 nature of the journey, have provided this delightful spot 
 for the recuperation of weary travellers. 
 
 Breaking off the desert at the edge of the foothills is 
 first the scanty sedge grass, advance outpost of a fuller 
 cultivation, then low bushes fringing the river's brink 
 beyond which is a belt of pine trees, whose thick strewn 
 spines should surely provide an easy couch for weary
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 79 
 
 limbs. First slipping on his sword belt, Cuchulain strolls 
 leisurely on, and coming out from the shadow of the 
 trees a most beautiful prospect breaks upon his gaze. 
 Sloping gently away from the edge of the wood is a 
 verdant terraced hollow, on whose sides grow mountain 
 ash and silver birch shimmering in the setting sun. 
 Nooks and bowers are formed at every turn by over- 
 hanging branch and encircling bush, while mossy grass 
 promises soft repose to the tired traveller. On the north 
 sides of the hollow the ground rises so steeply that 
 nothing can be seen of the country immediately beyond, 
 over which a curtain of turgid vapour appears to hang. 
 Yet further on, in the middle distance, the glory of the 
 quiet hills starts up, range upon range of purple splendour 
 in the gathering dusk, relieved here and there by flashes of 
 light as the last rays of the setting sun are reflected back 
 from occasional outcrops of ore. 
 
 Having made a thorough inspection of the hollow, at 
 the bottom of which was a small pool fed from a spring 
 gushing out of the rock some ten feet above ground level, 
 Cuchulain decided to shift his bivouac and to spend the 
 night in one of the sheltered nooks which abounded; it 
 was not a long task to fetch his scanty provisions from the 
 river bank where he had first thought to make his camp, 
 and place them in a spot where the foliage would protect 
 him from the falling dew. 
 
 For a time he wandered round the dell and then eat 
 down in his bower listening to the harmonious twitterings 
 and rustlings of the birds as they ruffled their feathers 
 and settled themselves in the branches for the night. 
 
 Finally he wrapped himself in his cloak, and pillowing 
 his head upon his arm, he slept. He awoke suddenly, to 
 hear the dawn wind whispering in the trees and to find 
 the upper edges of the dell visible in the coming light, 
 though all around him was still in darkness, while from 
 the pond near by, a frog croaked eerily. 
 
 Like wine poured into a goblet, light filled the dell, 
 piercing the armour of night, dispelling the shadows in the 
 hollows, awakening all the world of nature to resonant 
 life.
 
 80 ^ THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Directly the sun had warmed the world, Cuchulain 
 betook himself to the river to swim and wash away the 
 vapours of night; then after breakfast, he furbished up 
 his arms, crossed the hollow, climbed the steep north side 
 and then he looked down upon a most dreary sight 
 ' The Plains of 111 Luck " miles and miles of shudder- 
 ing bog only broken by brilliant green patches which told 
 of stagnant pools, slime coated or comparatively solid 
 ground hard would it be for the traveller to tell which 
 until his foot had pressed it and deep choking pools of 
 mud surrounded by thick rushes, while over all hung a 
 poisonous miasma. The general impression of desolation 
 was emphasized by the continuous croaking of frogs and 
 the uncanny crying of aquatic birds teal, coote, cranes 
 and geese which abounded in vast numbers, rising in 
 clouds on whirring wings as some monster dwelling in the 
 quagmire disturbed them. 
 
 So dreary was the sight to Cuchulain, who had not yet 
 recovered his vigour after the great trial of endurance 
 that he had so recently undergone, that he turned back to 
 his sheltered hollow with a sigh of relief at its sylvan 
 peace and beauty. 
 
 There he rested for many days, provisioning himself 
 upon the wild fowl which passed over his hollow to and 
 from their feeding ground night and morning ; one or more 
 of these he was able to bring down with a stone from his 
 sling, while for drinking, he had a plentiful supply of 
 crystal clear water from the spring which welled out from 
 the rock to feed the pool at the bottom of the hollow. 
 
 Feeling his strength come back to him, and knowing 
 that it was high time to commence the next stage of his 
 journey, Cuchulain started early one morning and 
 descended the hill upon the other side of the lip of the 
 hollow until he came to the edge of the Plains of 111 Luck. 
 
 Eight and left he quested for a path, but no signs of 
 firm foothold could he find within many yards of the 
 outer edge. Now he bethought him of the naming wheel, 
 which all this time had been wrapped in his spare cloak ; 
 he unwrapped it and, standing it on edge, finally trundled 
 it gently into the quagmire, not, however, without some
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 81 
 
 misgivings and the fear that it would instantly sink and 
 be lost to sight for ever. 
 
 Immediately the edge of the wheel encountered the wet 
 and slimy surface, the ring began to flame again and gave 
 out a great heat, so that the path over which it travelled 
 dried up and Cuchulain was able to follow after without 
 the least trepidation. 
 
 On he marched through the bog along the path the 
 flaming wheel provided, until he reached a rising knoll of 
 solid ground just as the sun was sinking in crimson 
 splendour, and the rim of the wheel, beginning to lose its 
 sun-borrowed radiance and heat, gave warning that the 
 day's journeying was over. 
 
 No sheltered seclusion of leafy bovver was the wanderer's 
 lot that night ; indeed, he was lucky to gather dry rushes 
 from the edge of the morass wherewith to light a fire, 
 beside which he crouched, a lonely being in all that 
 watery waste, listening to the insistent croaking of the 
 frogs and the booming of a bittern close at hand. 
 
 In such a fearsome spot as this, with nought but 
 noisome slime around, the only sound of life the squelch- 
 ing sluggard movements of some slimy reptile, better left 
 unheard, evil thoughts beset the best of minds. Nor did 
 the rising of the moon to gleam wanly over the iridescent 
 mud improve the prospect. Then, for the first time in 
 bis life, did Cuchulain feel the chill fingers of fear 
 clutching at his heart. 
 
 Thoughts of the dangers he had gone through, with 
 still worse tales of the horrible beasts he must overcome 
 or pass by stealth in Perilous Glen, arose to wrack and 
 torment his mind. Deeper and deeper sank his spirits, 
 blacker and more fearful grew his mood, until the cold 
 deathlike touch of a snake slithering across the hand on 
 which he rested, sent him staggering to his feet screaming 
 like an over- wrought girl. 
 
 No man may say how, in that dread and horrid morass, 
 the knoll on which Cuchulain rested had remained un- 
 submerged, but there it stood, grim and ghastly as the 
 festering skull of a felon at the foot of a gallows, while 
 from the- centre of it there uprose a barren, dreary tree, 
 
 F
 
 82 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 - 
 
 the indecent nakedness of its limbs clad only by a covering 
 of pungent, evil-smelling leaves. 
 
 Against its trunk Cuchulain leaned his back, though 
 overhead the branches stirred with a myriad hungry rust- 
 lings and suckings. 
 
 The scream with which he started up set Horror horn- 
 headed loose upon the night; each noisome leaf upon the 
 branches took flight and screamed; from the topmost 
 bough of all rose up what seemed to be the ancient father 
 of all sin, with taloned wings and glaring, glassy eyes a 
 vampire bat his satellites a thousand little bats of ill 
 repute who looked so much like fluttering leaves flapped 
 death-omened wings in poor Cuchulain's face, then flew 
 away. 
 
 Left to himself, the wanderer gathered his courage to 
 prepare for sleep. First he hollowed out a shallow trench 
 wherein to lie, and in it scattered the glowing embers of 
 his fire to warm the earth. Next he raked out the dead 
 ashes before strewing down the rushes on which he spread 
 his thick fleece cloak, and finally lay down, wrapping the 
 garment close about him. The last thing to meet his still 
 affrighted gaze was a wrack of black-bellied clouds preg- 
 nant with coming storm driving furiously across the moon. 
 
 Cuchulain had not been asleep an hour before the storm 
 broke ; it was as though the flood gates of heaven had been 
 opened, the rain drove down in sheets, but this did not 
 wake him, for he lay warm and dry within his cloak, one 
 corner of it flung across his head. But, as those can tell 
 who have slept in the open under similar conditions, it is 
 stupefying to sleep long tightly wrapped in a garment 
 which restricts the free use of the limbs and with one's 
 head covered, so presently Cuchulain turned on his back, 
 flinging the covering from his face to gain an easier 
 position, only to be awakened to his misery by the great 
 drippings from the branches overhead falling, with what 
 seemed a stunning force, upon his eyelids. 
 
 Feeling suffocated, oppressed, and parched with thirst, 
 he rose, but the moment the shelter of the cloak was left, 
 the driving rain wet him through to the bone. 
 
 Soaked and miserable, he gazed around him in the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 83 
 
 gloom to ascertain whence came the horrible suckings 
 which assailed his ear, such suckings as one imagines may 
 be heard in the depths of the sea, when the blind, dead- 
 white sea serpent heaves himself up from his bed upon 
 the ultimate slime. 
 
 An awful sight confronted him, for the morass, swelled 
 by the falling rain, was rising rising, already the black 
 ooze lapped about the rocks a score of yards above the 
 point that yesternight had masked the edge of the dry 
 land which formed the knoll, and the slimy mire was 
 rising, ever rising, keeping time to the falling rain. 
 
 Before the inexorable pressure of the liquid mud, played 
 a light rush of stagnant surface water, which lapped about 
 Cuchulain's feet, numbing him to the knees with its icy 
 touch. Fascinated, he watched the black wall as it 
 lapped the little trench wherein he had so recently lain, 
 and seemed to pause an instant on the edge, before it 
 burst down to smother his cloak. Cold-hearted, he still 
 gazed on it, knowing now that he must die a chilly death, 
 and not as he had always hoped, with the heat of battle 
 in his throat. 
 
 No help was there, for no sun shone to set the magic 
 wheel aflame and dry a path away for him. Sorrowfully 
 he thought of Dectera his mother, the father he had 
 never known but whom he had vowed to find, of Conall 
 and Ferdia his friends, and how they would wait and 
 wateh for him through the years to come, and how, when 
 all hope had gone out of the watching, they would wonder 
 how he had died ; but most of all he thought of Emer, hia 
 heart's love, for whose sake he had fared forth on 
 this the great adventure and still the morass rose 
 steadily. 
 
 Now a great peace came upon him, and as the black 
 ooze crept, it may be a foot nearer, all hope seemed lost. 
 Just as the dawn was breaking, the flood which had 
 climbed to Cuchulain's waist rolled something against him, 
 something that seemed like a mud-coated log. The flood 
 trembled and paused, then slowly receded; the surface 
 water following after, swirled about the object the morass 
 had dropped at Cuchulain's feet, washing clean the poor
 
 84 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 corpse-white face of a man, one who had doubtless died 
 questing for fame, even as Cuchulain quested. 
 
 It would almost seem that the morass, having laid its 
 warning to seek no further at the wanderer's feet, was 
 content to spare his life, sure in the knowledge that he 
 would read the warning aright and so forego the perils 
 ahead. But the Fates little knew Cuchulain if they 
 thought this, for day had broken a cheerless dawn indeed 
 but light had come to the world and to Cuchulain 's 
 soul; his night of doubt was over, and he knew the 
 ultimate hour of trial was not yet come, for had not the 
 strange Lord, who succoured him when he was like to 
 die in the barren lands, said that he would again appear 
 to him in the hour of his utmost need ; and lo, through all 
 that night of terror he had not come, wherefore the end 
 was not yet. 
 
 Eeverently Cuchulain took up the body of that other 
 poor wanderer and gently laid him in the shallow trench 
 he had hollowed overnight for the temporary rest of his 
 own tired limbs. Awe enfolded him as he gazed on the 
 still beauty of the peaceful features, so serene and so 
 dispassionate, cleansed of all toil and struggling by the 
 effacing hand of death. 
 
 Ere he covered the poor clay with the all-healing earth, 
 strange thoughts welled up in the heart of this son of a 
 rough, crude age, for although the messenger of the morass 
 affrighted him not nor turned him from his purpose, yet 
 the tranquil calm of the corpse taught Cuchulain some- 
 thing of the majesty of Death, and the littleness of Life; 
 how small we are and how insignificant in the mighty 
 scheme of things. We come and go upon our small 
 occasions like a hill full of busy ants, working out our 
 appointed task, our minds obsessed by our tiny joys and 
 sorrows great they seem to us until the cold hand of 
 death wipes clean the slate, or leaves the stage clear for 
 yet another player to strut and mow, playing his little 
 part, while not one in a million emblazons his name on 
 the Bcroll of fame, to be handed down through the ages. 
 Yet each of us in his generation contributes his part to
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 85 
 
 make the history, good or bad, of his Country, in the age 
 iii which he lives. 
 
 The beginnings of such thoughts as these formed dimly 
 in the wanderer's mind that morning, as he girded on his 
 gear and set the flaming wheel rolling forward on its way 
 in the rays of the new-born sun. Yet Cuchulain is gone 
 with Hercules and Hector, how many thousand years ago, 
 who shall say ? Truly his name survives by virtue of his 
 mighty deeds, but only as a beautiful myth, for who 
 knows how fell the pride of Erin, the most glorious 
 warrior of his race, or where lies his body or the head 
 they shore from off him? 
 
 On through the day Cuchulain trudged, weary from his 
 restless night, parched with thirst and desperately hungry, 
 but thankful for the sun overhead after the horrors of the 
 devil-ridden night; with the westering afternoon sun the 
 wanderer saw sloping fields rising steeply from the slime, 
 and behind them again, some ten miles away, a great 
 range of hills ; and ever as he went the wheel closed up a 
 path before him. 
 
 Hour after hour he trudged on in the wake of his 
 Btrange path-maker and reached dry land as the last ray 
 of the sun, setting behind the ridge of hills, struck in 
 molten glory on the rim of the wheel, and then it seemed 
 to Cuchulain that the sun's ray was gently withdrawn, as 
 the beckoning finger of an unseen hand glides behind a 
 curtain. For a moment he mused on this, and then, 
 looking down, discovered that the wheel, given him by 
 that strange man who succoured him in the Plains of 111 
 Luck, had disappeared with the sun ray. 
 
 Two or three hours of daylight yet remained, and these 
 were spent in tramping over the springy turf of the ever- 
 rising fields, until at last a great inland sea burst upon 
 the surprised vision of Cuchulain. In every direction lay 
 water, nothing but water, its surface ruffled by the evening 
 breeze which sent the little wavelets lapping on the 
 shore. 
 
 Across this great expanse Cuchulain looked out, until 
 his gaze came to rest on the far-off hills. Any exploration 
 was out of the question for that night, and, moreover, the
 
 86 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 immediate need of a meal was making itself unpleasantly 
 felt. 
 
 As he looked across the water Cuchulain was aware of 
 many swans swimming majestically, and into his mind 
 came the thought, " On one of these birds I must make 
 my meal." But how to catch one? that indeed was the 
 question ! The birds were well out of reach of a javelin 
 flung by hand or even of a stone cast by a sling. 
 
 Cuchulain thought for a space, and then, going quietly 
 behind a bush, he stripped off his garments and smeared 
 his body from the top of his head to the soles of his feet 
 not excepting his face with sticky yellow clay, in 
 order that the whiteness of his flesh might not shew up in 
 the translucent water. 
 
 Like an otter gliding from the rock above the pool, he 
 took to the water, swimming quietly until only a couple 
 of hundred yards separated him from the swans. At 
 this stage he dived deep, and, swimming under water, 
 came up fully fifty yards further on. His next dive took 
 him to within a hundred yards of his prey, and here he 
 rested, treading water with head thrown back and only 
 his nostrils and lips protruding above the surface to enable 
 him to draw long, deep breaths for the supreme effort. 
 
 Midway between Cuchulain and the swans a patch of 
 reeds floated on the water. When he had regained his 
 breath and fully charged his lungs with air, he let himself 
 sink quietly down, down, down, until the glimmer of light 
 above him was dim, and then, striking out strongly, he 
 swam until, allowing himself to rise, a dark patch over- 
 head warned him that the reeds were above. 
 
 Eising gently he was overjoyed to find a large log 
 floating amidst the debris. With one clay-smeared hand 
 upon the log and his nose and mouth above the water to 
 allow him to breathe, Cuchulain began to paddle quietly 
 with his feet, moving the whole mass of rubbish slowly 
 and almost imperceptibly towards the unsuspicious quarry. 
 
 Nearer and ever nearer he worked his way until a bare 
 six yards separated him from the swans; sinking again, he 
 drew a knife from its sheath in the belt about his waist, 
 placing the steel between his teeth as he swam on; with
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 87 
 
 a strong kick of his legs, he came to the surface right 
 among the birds. 
 
 A quick grab with the left hand secured a leg as the 
 whole bunch rose in squarking fright ; it was the work of 
 an instant to transfer the knife from his teeth to his right 
 hand, and then the water all around was stained crimson, 
 as the steel went home amidst the snowy breast plumage 
 of the great swan. 
 
 His supper now secured, Cuchulain ferried the carcase 
 to the log among the debris, to which he strapped it with 
 his waist belt, and, pushing his prize before him, swam 
 ashore. 
 
 Once on land he dressed quickly, lighted a fire, and, 
 while the sticks were crackling briskly, he drew and 
 cleaned the swan, and cut off the feet and head; next he 
 encased the whole carcase in a thick coating of clay, after 
 first stuffing it with wild berries, and then, raking aside 
 the fire, he placed the mass in the heart of the embers 
 and replaced the burning logs. 
 
 By the time he had prepared his camp for the night 
 and cleaned his weapons, the fire was almost out, and 
 from, the heart of it he raked out his ball of clay, now 
 baked hard. 
 
 As he split the ball open with his knife, the feathers 
 came away bedded firm in the clay, and the bird lay 
 before him, clean plucked, cooked, and ready to eat. 
 
 Cuchulain was ravenous, but he had to wait awhile for 
 the steaming bird to cool sufficiently, and then he fed 
 right royally, cutting long strips of the delicate flesh of! 
 with his knife. 
 
 Finally he made up the fire and dropped into a sleep of 
 repletion and utter fatigue, nor did he wake until the day 
 was far advanced. 
 
 Another day and night he rested on the shores of the 
 lake, pondering how best he might reach the far-off range 
 of hills. The distance was too great to swim, and no boat 
 was to be obtained in this lonely spot. Cuchulain did not 
 know how far the shore of the lake extended on either 
 hand, so the task of walking round this great inland sea 
 seemed therefore too arduous to be undertaken. There
 
 88 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 remained then only for him to build some sort of raft on 
 which to ferry himself across the water. 
 
 Luckily trees grew in abundance, but it was slow work 
 lopping branches suitable to his purpose and binding them 
 together with creepers ; indeed he spent two whole days in 
 this way before the work was finished. On the morning 
 of the fifth day after he had come to these shores 
 he was able to set forth on his voyage to the great 
 unknown. 
 
 All day he paddled along, and by evening had reached 
 a barren, forbidding shore, with no opening to be seen 
 and no place in sight at which a landing might be effected. 
 The wall of rock seemed to rise straight up from the 
 water's edge with never a break to right or left. At last 
 a knob of rock offered a mooring point, and so Cuchulain 
 spent the night aboard his crude raft, sleeping fitfully. 
 
 With daylight came the problem of how these tremen- 
 dous cliffs, nearly a thousand feet in height, were to be 
 surmounted or passed; straight up from the water's edge 
 they rose, grim and forbidding, up and up until the brain 
 grew dizzy and dwarfed before the immensity of this sheer 
 wall of rock unrelieved by tree or shrub. 
 
 Should the wanderer row right or left? 
 
 Cuchulain paddled his boat out a hundred feet or so 
 from the face of the cliff and then surveyed it ; no current 
 drew him to one hand or the other, only the little breeze- 
 animated waves lapped against the edge of his raft. 
 Looking to the right the cliff seemed to preserve a uniform 
 height, but to the left it appeared to slope gradually 
 away. It was to the left then that Cuchulain set his 
 course, preserving his distance of about a hundred feet 
 from the cliffs as he paddled. 
 
 Mid-day had gone, and with it another goodly 
 portion of the swan, before any likelihood of making 
 further progress towards the dun of Skatha occurred to 
 him. Then, just as he was coming to the conclusion that 
 he would have to paddle his raft to the limit of the range 
 of hills before he could proceed farther on his journey, a 
 tiny hole in the wall of rock was seen. At the distance 
 he was from the hole, Cuchulain could not decide if it
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 89 
 
 was merely the mouth of a cave, or, as he hoped, the 
 entrance to a passage. 
 
 A few quick strokes brought the raft directly under the 
 opening, and, reaching up with his hands to steady him- 
 self, Cuchulain looked in, only to be confronted with 
 absolute blackness. Obviously a further exploration was 
 necessary, so his bundle was hove up on to the ledge, and 
 he followed, thinking as he did so that in all probability 
 he would have to swim to recover his raft if the search 
 proved to be a long one. 
 
 Inside, the opening was large enough to allow a tall 
 man to stand upright, but farther in, the roof descended, 
 until it was all Cuchulain could do to squeeze his body 
 along on all fours. 
 
 He had almost decided that he was, after all, in a cave, 
 which at best w r ould but serve him as a shelter for the 
 night, when his hand encountered some wooden object, 
 which, from its shape, appeared to be a boat. 
 
 Going back to the entrance, Cuchulain discovered 
 from the high-water mark that the waves evidently 
 lapped the ledge at times, which might account for 
 the presence of a boat inside. Kindling a torch, 
 of which he had had the forethought to prepare a 
 supply, he went back to examine his find, and then 
 discovered it to be a frail coracle resting close by a 
 hole at the end of the passage, which appeared to lead to 
 a larger cave beyond. Through this hole Cuchulain 
 squeezed w r ith difficulty and found himself on a narrow 
 path sloping steeply downwards. 
 
 For some two hundred yards he proceeded cautiously, 
 until he felt his feet submerged in running water. Step- 
 ping circumspectly, he went on till the water rose up to 
 his chin, and forced him to return to the daylight to think 
 things over. 
 
 In the first place, the presence of the coracle would 
 seem to argue that the path had been attempted before, 
 and that either the man had successfully accomplished 
 his journey, or, what was still more likely, had perished 
 in the attempt. The fact that the cave in which he sat 
 was perfectly dry indicated that the waters of the lake
 
 90 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 seldom, if ever, rose to this height, and yet there was 
 running water beyond, which seemed to indicate another 
 entrance to the cliffs below the level of the lake, or at 
 some other point further along. But the most important 
 point to Cuchulain's mind was the fact that the water in 
 the far passage was running, which appeared to him to 
 suggest the presence of a vast underground sea fed by the 
 lake; or another lake on the far side of the mountains, 
 into which the underground stream flowed. 
 
 A goodly quantity of the swan, which had weighed close 
 on thirty pounds, remained, and so Cuchulain decided to 
 sleep over the matter, and for that purpose made the cave 
 habitable and kindled a fire of drift wood he found scat- 
 tered on the floor. First satisfying himself that the 
 coracle was seaworthy, he dismantled his raft, making 
 such portions of the wood as were suitable for the purpose 
 into torches. The remainder he kept to replenish his fire. 
 
 Next morning he got the coracle down to the point at 
 which the underground stream welled up, apparently from 
 the bowels of the earth, and then, fetching his goods from 
 the mouth of the cave, he packed them into his frail craft, 
 not forgetting his supply of torches and the paddle which 
 had served to propel the raft across the lake. 
 
 He launched his tiny barque, and getting aboard, 
 pushed off on his weird underground journey, the end of 
 which neither he nor any man might foresee.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 91 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE boat drifted leisurely along at first, and by the light 
 of his torch Cuchulain could see that the roof rose higher 
 and higher above him until finally it was lost in the gloom 
 above. The stream also widened to a river with a strong 
 current in the middle. An occasional stroke of the paddle 
 served to maintain the direction of the boat. There was 
 no great chance of having his skull stove in, and so with 
 a view to husbanding his torches against future need, 
 Cuchulain did not light another when the one he had lit at 
 the commencement of the journey sputtered out. He did, 
 however, take the precaution of stretching a javelin above 
 his head at the full length of his arm pretty frequently to 
 ensure against any untoward mishap by reason of the roof 
 growing lower. He also thrust a torch through his girdle 
 in case it should be needed in a hurry a very wise action, 
 for which he was soon to be thankful. 
 
 In the darkness, which was so dense that it could 
 almost be felt, the only sound was made by the water 
 against the sides of the tunnel. Shifting his position, 
 Cuchulain 's hand encountered the cold flesh of the swan 
 in the bow of the boat with a start, and, remembering 
 that it must be many hours since he had breakfasted, he 
 cut off some strips of meat, which he devoured and washed 
 down by water gathered from the river in his cupped 
 hands. 
 
 When he dipped his hands into the water to satisfy his 
 thirst, Cuchulain realised that the stream which flowed 
 so leisurely at first had now developed into a swiftly 
 flowing river, and lighting a torch, he discovered that the 
 boat was flying along between narrow walls at a tremen- 
 dous pace ; the roof, however, was still lost in illimitable 
 darkness. 
 
 On flew the boat with ever-growing speed, the water 
 swirled like a mill-race, and suddenly there loomed ahead
 
 92 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 a straight wall of rock some four feet above the level of 
 the river. Instantly realising his danger, Cuchulain. stood 
 up and, as the boat appeared about to crash to its doom, 
 he leaped forward and upward, sprawling flat on his face 
 on the ledge, as the boat xvas sucked under and dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 Cuchulain had flung the torch from him as he leaped, 
 and now lay in Stygian darkness, not knowing whether a 
 firm path lay before him or only the waters of the river, 
 which might well have passed through a hole in the rock, 
 to emerge on the other side and bar his further progress. 
 If so, he was indeed in a desperate position, for the 
 current was too swift and the distance too great to swim 
 back whence he had come, and here was the wanderer, 
 after all his perseverance, burled in the bowels of the 
 earth, with little prospect of ever seeing daylight again. 
 
 So Cuchulain sat and mused for a time, and then, 
 remembering the torch in his belt, lit it. To his joy he 
 saw stretching away before him a path washed smooth by 
 many waters; the roof was lost above, but the walls bore 
 testimony that when the river was in spate from the 
 lake he had left, the water rose many fathoms above his 
 head. 
 
 With only one torch to light his way, it was obvious 
 Cuchulain must push rapidly forward or he might wander 
 underground until he died of starvation if the path 
 branched off ahead. 
 
 As a matter of fact, the path did so divide before he had 
 gone a mile along it. One path led upwards, while the 
 other sloped steeply downwards. Arguing that the rising 
 ground was the more likely to lead out into the open, 
 Cuchulain followed the upward trend and tramped on, by 
 this time feeling the pangs of hunger again keenly. 
 
 The atmosphere was close and muggy in this confined 
 passage, but presently it grew purer, and with the fresh- 
 ening of the air came a degree of coldness which rapidly 
 asserted itself. The torch had long since burnt itself out, 
 but looking up, Cuchulain saw one star gleaming brightly 
 overhead and knew that the Stygian darkness of the 
 tunnel was passed and that the good fresh air now blew
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 93 
 
 above him, but so far above that no passing breeze was 
 wafted down into these abysmal depths. 
 
 Utterly weary, he sank down and slept. 
 
 When Cuchulain awoke, a glimmer of light was to be 
 seen far overhead, by which he judged that another day 
 had dawned, but so deep was the rift in the mountains in 
 which he lay that all the surroundings were in gloom ; no 
 shaft of sunlight could penetrate so far, for they were all 
 swallowed up in the glistening black walls above. 
 
 I perceive that this is an evil place," said Cuchulain 
 out loud, and then jumped up startled, as his voice went 
 ringing and echoing from crag to crag, ending in a whisper 
 of sound far away. 
 
 No food was to be found in the wanderer's wallet, and 
 his water-skin had perished as the coracle was sucked 
 under when the river dived again into the depths of the 
 earth. 
 
 Imagine, then, Cuchulain 's plight as he started off 
 once more, weary, battered and spent by toil, with hunger 
 and thirst gnawing at his vitals. How endless must have 
 seemed the path as he trudged on hour after hour, 
 occasionally glancing up to where the streak of daylight 
 might be seen between the high, unscalable cliffs; after 
 awhile the rocks closed in over his head, and once more 
 he was. walking in a subterranean tunnel. 
 
 It was with a beating heart that at last he saw a 
 pathway rising up before him and espied the true day- 
 light ahead through a crack in the rocks, which, however, 
 seemed to block the path effectually. 
 
 A tentative push or two at the rocks killed any hope 
 that the task of getting into the outer world from this 
 horrible underground passage was to be an easy one. 
 Sitting down, Cuchulain rested himself to gather strength 
 for what was like to be a Titanic effort. 
 
 What if the rocks should prove immovable? What if 
 the drop outside should be precipitous, even if the rocks 
 could be shifted? These, and a thousand other questions, 
 sent Cuchulain staggering to his feet to solve the question 
 once- for all before even his iron nerves should give way 
 and his wanderings end in madness.
 
 94 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 For minutes he tugged, thrust and strove frenziedly, 
 until at last he was forced to desist from very lack of 
 breath. His shoulders were bruised and aching, blood 
 oozed from the quicks of his fingers and dropped down 
 from the nails, and the veins stood out on his neck and 
 forehead like knotted whipcord, while his chest heaved 
 with great sobbing breaths. 
 
 With rest came deadly calm, and reason was brought 
 to the aid of brute force. The point of his javelin was 
 inserted into the crack through which the daylight shone, 
 and worked carefully round until the opening widened 
 appreciably. Pausing a moment to rest, Cuchulain could 
 hear a trickle of rubble and small stones rattling away 
 down the hillside without, from which he judged that 
 the drop outside was not sheer after all; so greatly 
 heartened, he resumed his task. 
 
 The chink he was working at formed a small open 
 space between two rocks, and it was to the higher one 
 Cuchulain devoted his efforts. Having dug out every 
 scrap of loose stuff from the base, he now turned his 
 attention to the top, and to his joy found that by exerting 
 his full strength he was able to displace several larg 
 fragments of stone. This did not appreciably loosen the 
 main rock, but it gave him a better light by which to 
 work. On the left side the great rock defied all his efforts, 
 for it seemed to fit into a hollow in the solid cliff, as if a 
 space had been hollowed there for it to rest in, by the 
 hand of man. On the other side, however, it was only 
 wedged in by small fragments of stone, which came away 
 easily inwards to the picking of his fingers; but without, 
 there rested a large stone which was more difficult to 
 move. The space he had cleared was not big enough 
 for his hand to pass through, and the strength of his 
 extended fingers alone was not sufficient to force the 
 stone outwards. Next he tried his javelin, only to find 
 that the point slipped sideways from the rounded surface 
 at every effort. 
 
 Again and again he tried, and then set himself diligently 
 to work to chip a hole in the face of the stone with the 
 blade of his hunting knife. It was slow and tedious work,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 95 
 
 but at last the hole was sufficiently deep, and into it he 
 inserted the point of his javelin and put his weight upon 
 the shaft. The good ash bent like a sapling in the breeze 1 
 At last Cuchulain hit upon the solution of the difficulty; 
 sitting down with his back against the rock and the 
 javelin over his shoulder gripped short up by the head, he 
 put forth all his might, and the stone flew outwards, but 
 he barked his knuckles badly as the resistance to the 
 point of the javelin was removed. 
 
 Now, his task almost done, he nerves himself for the 
 final effort. The great stone is so loose that it rocks to 
 the pressure of his hand, and yet it is so immense that all 
 his strength will be needed to lift it clear. Twice he tries 
 to push it outwards with his hands, but fails, and then he 
 turns and gets his shoulder under the inward bulge. Great 
 beads of sweat drop from him as he strains; he is like a 
 huge mole trying to burrow his way to the open. The 
 rock trembles and groans ; it rises with a rending, tearing 
 sound, rocks rattle outside as they are displaced; 
 Cuchulain pauses and draws a mighty breath; he strains 
 again, and the pressure against his bruised and blackened 
 flesh grows less as the great mass of stone turns over and 
 falls outwards with a crash. 
 
 Far away he sees the sun sinking to rest behind the 
 distant hills as he lies half in and half out of the hole. 
 Too exhausted to raise himself from the position into 
 which he has fallen, he feasts his eyes on the world he 
 had half feared never to see again. Far below him a 
 stream gushes out of the mountain-side ; f ailing downwards 
 in a cascade, it flows to water a pleasant valley of green 
 fields and woods, beyond which rises a range of hills. 
 These Cuchulain searches with his eyes, and at last his 
 gaze comes to rest on a cluster of dwellings illumined by 
 the last rays of the setting sun. 
 
 Hardly able to believe that he sees aright, Cuchulain 
 feasts his gaze on the evidence of the presence of his 
 fellowmen in this distant land, and determines to journey 
 thither on the morrow, but for the present he must go 
 hungry through the night. He, however, makes a great 
 effort and drags his weary limbs down the mountain side
 
 96 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 to the spot where the waterfall bursts out, and here he 
 quenches his burning thirst, bathes his wounds and makes 
 a poor and frugal meal of berries. 
 
 All next day he trudges on first down the mountain 
 side, then across the plains, where he makes shift to feed 
 off a nest full of raw eggs he is lucky enough to stumble 
 upon. Finally he begins to climb the hills until he comes 
 in sight of the dwellings he has seen overnight from the 
 opposite mountains. 
 
 These dwellings resolve themselves into a noble dun 
 but it is on the far side of a narrow, deep ravine with 
 turgid waters swirling far below. 
 
 Disconsolately Cuchulain wanders along the edge of the 
 ravine until in the distance he perceives what appears to 
 be a bridge. He hastens towards it, but his iron frame 
 will stand no more, and with a sigh he sinks into that 
 state of oblivion which is the natural result of great 
 mental and bodily strain unsupported by food. 
 
 Cuchulain lies still and stark among the rocks, but Fate 
 is watching over him, an^J presently a party of merry 
 young men comes singing along the way, returning from a 
 gay hunting quest. 
 
 One spies the body lying still, and all gather round, 
 but he who has found this piece of human jetsam orders 
 them back. One he bids fetch water, and another to lift 
 up the unconscious head, while he himself forces a draught 
 of heather ale between the lips. 
 
 Water is brought and dashed into Cuchulain's face, 
 while the party stand around anxiously watching for 
 signs of returning life, but there is no motion of the still 
 limbs, nor even the quiver of an eyelid. 
 
 Everything is tried, but without result, and at last the 
 leader bids his companions make a litter of their spears 
 and cloaks. On this they place the wanderer and bear 
 him away to their huts, which are directly opposite the 
 bridge Cuchulain was making for when he collapsed, and 
 on this side of the ravine. 
 
 Arrived at the huts they carefully undress Cuchulain, 
 bathe and dress his wounds, and put him to bed. 
 
 A strong draught of Grecian wine causes him to open
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 97 
 
 his eyes for a moment, and then he rolls over and falls 
 into a deep sleep. 
 
 Seeing that he is utterly exhausted, the leader of the 
 party who had found him orders his companions to leave 
 Cuchulain in peace, and to hang a skin over the hut 
 entrance to darken the interior. One he leaves to sit in 
 the hut to minister to the wants of their unconscious guest 
 if he should wake.
 
 98 THE HOUND OF CULLAK 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII 
 
 WHEN Cuchulain at last awoke from his long sleep, he 
 found himself in bed in a strange hut. 
 
 At first, to his sleep-dimmed senses, it seemed that he 
 was back in the dun of King Conor Mac Nessa at Emain 
 Macha, but the rich wall hangings of the royal apartments 
 were missing. Then he thought he must be again in 
 the dwelling of that cheery old farmer who had set him 
 on his way, but the clang and clash of arms without, and 
 the measured tramp of soldiers drilling gave the lie to 
 that suggestion of his brain. 
 
 Dazedly, as one newly awakened from sleep, he lay and 
 cogitated, until the raising of the skin door portal and 
 the entrance of a strange youth brought home to him the 
 fact that he was in a place and among people hitherto 
 unknown to him. 
 
 " Awake at last, Stranger?" queried the youth, and 
 then added, " I will call our leader." Thus saying, he 
 hurried away before Cuchulain could question him as to 
 his present whereabouts and how he came to be there, for 
 all memory of the preceding days was completely effaced 
 from his mind. 
 
 The martial sounds from without ceased; the door- 
 covering was drawn aside, and a fine stalwart young man, 
 almost as powerfully built as Cuchulain's self, stood within 
 the portal, his features hidden by reason of the fact that 
 his back was to the light, and the interior of the hut in 
 shadow. 
 
 " I have ordered food and milk to be brought to you," 
 was the new-comer's first remark. 
 
 At the voice Cuchulain started up on his arm and gazed 
 intently at the stranger's face as he came forward into 
 the hut, allowing the light to flow in behind him. 
 
 Cuchulain gazed and gazed, rubbed his eyes and gasped 
 as one who sees a vision, and then " Ferdia " burst 
 from his lips, a heart-whole cry of gladness.
 
 99 
 
 It was now the leader's turn to start and to gaze 
 intently on his guest, as he queried: 
 
 " Who art thou that calls me by my name, and whence 
 hast thou journeyed to this place to which no other man 
 has ever attained unguided?" 
 
 " Hast thou forgotten Cuchulain, Ferdia? tljy friend 
 who played with thee at hurley on the green at Emain 
 Macha?" 
 
 " Before Lugh!" exclaimed Ferdia, " if thou art in 
 truth Cuchulain thou art strangely changed, and yet, 
 methinks those mighty limbs may well bear out the 
 promise of thy youth." 
 
 Well might Ferdia say that Cuchulain was changed, 
 for the trials of the journey and the final horrors of the 
 underground path, and the last supreme effort by which 
 he had won free into the world again, had sadly altered 
 his appearance. 
 
 There was no lustre in his hair, his cheeks were 
 shrunken and wan, and his eyes sunken a ad ringed with 
 black. The long sleep, however, had done much to 
 strengthen him, and rest and good feeding would soon 
 restore to him his glorious young manhood. 
 
 ' Yes! " said Ferdia again, " I can see that thou art 
 that Cuchulain I loved in my boyhood ; it warms my heart 
 to see thee again, and I am all afire to hear the story of 
 thy wanderings, but thou must not talk until thou hast 
 eaten." 
 
 Just then a serving man entered, bearing a smoking 
 dish of goat's flesh and a horn filled with milk, which 
 he placed on a stool beside the bed. 
 
 As Cuchulain ate and drank, his strength grew anew 
 within him, and with the renewal of his vital forces grew 
 the recollection of all that he had passed through. 
 
 Ferdia seated himself and watched his friend as he ate. 
 Presently he asked: 
 
 " Dost thou not wonder where thou hast arrived so 
 opportunely in thy wanderings, Cuchulain? " 
 
 " Why, yes I do, but knowing that thou didst set out 
 to acquire knowledge from Skatha but a year ago, I feel
 
 100 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 sure that I have nearly accomplished my own journey, 
 and that the dun of Skatha lies not far from hence." 
 
 " Indeed thou speakest truth, Cuchulain. The dwell- 
 ing of our mistress Skatha can be seen across the ravine, 
 and is but separated from it by the Bridge of the Leaps, 
 and yet none of us who live here in these huts has ever 
 visited the dun, for the last feat which Skatha teaches to 
 her pupils is the Hero's Salmon Leap, by which the 
 bridge is crossed. 
 
 ' There is one other feat which Skatha has to teach, 
 the throwing of the Gae Bolg, but she has never yet seen a 
 champion whom she considers worthy to wield the weapon. 
 It is a terrible implement, which is thrown from between 
 the toes. To be struck with it is certain death, for once 
 it has entered the flesh, all its barbs open out, the flesh 
 almost meets over it, and it can only be dragged out by 
 main force, so that the man into whose body it enters 
 must of a certainty bleed to death. It is, however, geise 
 for the holder of the Gae Bolg to use it except in the last 
 extremity." 
 
 Cuchulain was greatly interested in this description, and 
 within his own soul determined to grow into so great a 
 champion that Skatha would gladly give him this wonder- 
 ful weapon and willingly teach him to wield it. 
 
 " Tell me, Ferdia," asked Cuchulain, " has no one of 
 you yet attempted to cross the Bridge of the Leaps?" 
 
 'Yes!" answered Ferdia, "twice I have dared the 
 feat, but each time the bridge has risen up against me 
 and flung me back to this side of the ravine, and to fall 
 from it midway is to perish miserably in the depths 
 beneath, which are infested with most fearsome 
 monsters." 
 
 ' ' How then is this Bridge passed if it rises up and 
 flings the jumper back?" 
 
 " He who would cross to the other side must spring far 
 out and up, and land exactly on the point we call the 
 centre of the Bridge, from whence he must leap again 
 immediately to the farther shore. If the jumper lands 
 short of the point he will be flung back, and if he hesi- 
 tates an instant before making his second leap, he will
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 101 
 
 fall into the waters below, for the Bridge is too narrow 
 for a man to retain his balance thereon. But why askest 
 thou, Cuchulain? Surely thou wilt not try to pass until 
 Skatha hath taught thee?" 
 
 " That will I," said Cuchulain, " and before the sun 
 hath twice more lit the world. Thou hast tried and 
 failed, why then should not I essay the feat, and per- 
 chance succeed? Dost hope to win this belly spear that 
 thou call'st a Gae Bolg, Ferdia?" 
 
 "I do indeed!" 
 
 " Ah ! then, in this I perceive that we two shall be 
 rivals." 
 
 A silence fell upon the twain while Cuchulain finished 
 his meal, and then Ferdia said: 
 
 :< If thou art rested and refreshed, let us go out; these 
 dull huts stifle me upon a day like this, and I would hear 
 the tale of thy adventures." 
 
 "When they emerged from the hut, Ferdia called up his 
 companions of the night before, and made their guest 
 known to them, and then they all seated themselves 
 around on the grass, whilst Cuchulain related all that tale 
 of his travels and trials since he left Emain Macha, which 
 has already been set forth in these pages. 
 
 During the recital a cloaked figure slipped into the 
 shelter of a hut and leaned against it, listening to the tale. 
 
 When the narrative ended, all sat silent and amazed, 
 until the person in the cloak broke the spell by saying : 
 
 " Cuchulain, thou hast done well and bravely, and one 
 day thou shalt be the foremost champion in all Ireland. 
 Even the arduous passage of Perilous Glen which thou 
 hast avoided is as naught to the steadfast courage which 
 brought thee safely through the subterranean passage of 
 the mountains." 
 
 At the sound of that voice, all rose respectfully to their 
 feet, except Cuchulain, for the cloaked figure was none 
 other than Skatha's self, who had joined the group un- 
 observed by any in the enthralling interest of the tale. 
 
 Skatha then drew Cuchulain on one side and asked 
 him many pertinent questions, which amply satisfied her
 
 102 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 as to the truth of the story he had told, and caused her 
 to accept him gladly as a pupil. 
 
 With a word to Ferdia as to the care and entertainment 
 of her new pupil, she departed to her dun by way of the 
 Bridge of the Leaps. 
 
 Cuchulain watched her performance keenly as she 
 crossed to the other side, determining to essay the feat 
 himself before the sun had set. 
 
 Cuchulain spent the day with Ferdia in watching his 
 fellow-pupils practising the feats of arms Skatha had 
 already taught them, but he found nothing therein to 
 surprise him; indeed, he saw nothing that he had not 
 already learned at the hands of Fergus Mac Roy, his half- 
 uncle. 
 
 As evening was drawing on, Cuchulain said to Ferdia : 
 ' Wilt thou come with me to the Bridge of the Leaps? 
 for I am set upon trying that feat before the sun goes 
 down." 
 
 Ferdia did all he could to dissuade him, but Cuchulain 
 was in no wise to be turned from his resolution. He had 
 made up his mind to attempt the feat, and nothing the 
 other could say would stop him. In vain Ferdia urged 
 that Cuchulain was not yet fully recovered from his 
 journey; in vain he pleaded with him, and so at last they 
 set out for the Bridge, followed by their fellow-pupils. 
 
 On reaching the Bridge, Cuchulain found that it was 
 formed by two slender fingers of rock jutting out from 
 the cliffs on either side and almost meeting across 
 the ravine a narrow chasm cut in the living rock 
 by some enormous cataclysm of nature, which had 
 splintered and torn its way into the bowels of the earth, 
 rending the rock asunder and leaving great beetling, jagged 
 cliffs on either side between which strong gusts of wind 
 tore back and forth. 
 
 From the cliff on which Cuchulain stood, a spur of 
 rock some twenty-three or four feet long jutted out; its 
 base was immensely thick, but the spur tapered to a point 
 scarce two feet across at the far end. 
 
 Now a curious thing must be related of this spur of 
 rock; it has been said that it was broad at the base, but
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 103 
 
 it was also perfectly rounded upon the underside, and 
 fitted into a socket on the clift face in such a way that 
 any weight suddenly projected upon the point of the spur 
 depressed it sufficiently to cause it to rise up as the base 
 turned in its socket joint. It was obvious, therefore, that 
 a second spring must be made while the point was actually 
 depressed, and before the mass rose up to fling the jumper 
 back, or off into the abyss. 
 
 At first Cuchulain thought the difficulty might be 
 solved by simply crawling across, but on closer inspection 
 he found that a space of some six feet separated the 
 spur on his side of the chasm, from the slab of living rock 
 which jutted out some seven or eight feet from the 
 opposite cliff. 
 
 The red afterglow of day lit all the sky and illumined 
 the scudding clouds, which, racing overhead, foretold a 
 stormy morrow, as Cuchulain divested himself of all his 
 outer garments, until he stood up clad only in his lambskin 
 vest and under-drawers. 
 
 First measuring carefully the length of the spur with 
 his eye, he next paced out his run upon the bank. 
 
 Like an arrow from a bow he sped along the path, next 
 instant he was in mid-air, springing up and out like a 
 chamois; but he fell short of the point by five feet, and 
 knowing that a second leap would be fatal, allowed him- 
 self to be flung back into the arms of his comrades. 
 
 Again he tried, and again fell toe far short of the point 
 to risk the second leap which should carry him to the far 
 rock. 
 
 Now he lay down to rest, and the pupils of Skatha jeered 
 at him, all except Ferdia, who leaned over his friend as he 
 lay extended on the turf which fringed the lip of the 
 chasm. 
 
 " Give it up, Cuchulain," said Ferdia, " or at least 
 wait until to-morrow to make a further effort, when thou 
 art fully rested from thy wanderings." 
 
 " No! " answered Cuchulain. " By the Light above me 
 I swear to cross that gulf to-night or perish in the attempt. 
 But get thou wine for me to drink, and fat wherewith to 
 rub my limbs, and I will try again."
 
 104 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 As he spoke, a finger of light lit upon the extreme 
 point of the rock, and seemed to Cuchulain an omen in 
 answer to his vow. 
 
 Just then a strong breeze sprang up, blowing from the 
 shore on which they stood, to aid him further in the 
 coming leap. 
 
 " Oh! oh!" jeered the pupils of Skatha, "the stranger 
 thinks he is greater than us all, and orders our Captain. 
 Eerdia, to fetch and carry for him. Great is Cuchulain, 
 and great is his name in the land." 
 
 Thus they mocked him, but Ferdia fetched wine and 
 fat and did as his friend had asked. 
 
 Presently Cuchulain rose and said quietly, " I am 
 ready. ' ' 
 
 And now he skims over the ground like a swallow on 
 the wing. And so great was the downward thrust of 
 his leg as he took-ofi' for the leap, that his footprint 
 remained bedded in the turf for many days to come. 
 
 A gasp of wonder goes up from the watchers as his 
 body hurtles through the air, for almost it seems that he 
 will overshoot the spur altogether and fall into the waters 
 below, so great is the leap he has made. But, no! he 
 lands fairly on the point of the rock on his right foot only, 
 and at once springs again, clearing the farther point and 
 landing fairly on the grass of the opposite cliff. 
 
 The silence of wonder ensues for a moment, and then 
 cheer upon cheer bursts from Ferdia and his companions. 
 
 Some exclaim loudly upon the speed with which he 
 ran forward to the leap ; some point excitedly to that foot- 
 print deep embedded in the sod, while others turn shame- 
 facedly aside at the thought that they have mocked so 
 great a champion. But Ferdia, his face alight with joy, 
 stands upon the brink of the precipice and stretches out 
 his arms across the gulf which now separates him from 
 Cuchulain. 
 
 The clamour brings Skatha and her attendants from 
 the dun in haste, and they too stand amazed at 
 Cuchulain's prowess and daring. 
 
 " What manner of youth is this," qtieried Skatha, 
 " who journeys to my dun unguided and alone, and then,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 105 
 
 before he is recovered from the rigours of the journey, 
 accomplishes the Hero's Salmon Leap untaught of my 
 knowledge? Surely, Cuchulain, thou shalt be the glory 
 of Ireland, and thy deeds shall be sung by skald and bard, 
 when we who talk to-day are dust." 
 
 That night there was great feasting in the dun of Skatha 
 in honour of this strange youth who had appeared among 
 them so unexpectedly, and to him was assigned the place 
 of honour at Skatha 's right hand. 
 
 Late and long they feasted, and many and wonderful 
 were the tales Cuchulain heard of the prowess of those 
 who had learned the profession of arms before him, in 
 this place. 
 
 At last they bade him relate to them the tale of his 
 own deeds, as was the custom of the period, but this 
 Cuchulain would not do, for he was ever a modest man. 
 
 The retainers of Skatha grumbled not a little at his 
 refusal, but Skatha herself loved the lad for his reticence 
 and modesty, and gloried in the pride of his beautiful 
 young manhood. None the less she resolved not to try 
 him too high during his pupilage, for he was not yet 
 come to his prime, and lacked a good deal of the mighty 
 strength which was to make him the most famous 
 champion of the age in later years.
 
 106 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 FOR a year Cuchulain abode at the dun of Skatha learning 
 many wonderful feats of arms, until at last he was deemed 
 worthy to wield the belly spear, that wonderful weapon 
 Ferdia had told him of on the day following his arrival. 
 
 During all the time he abode at the dun, he was 
 Skatha 's favourite pupil and beloved by all his comrades; 
 but his dearest friend and the keenest rival he had in all 
 manly pursuits and feats of arms was Ferdia. 
 
 It was Cuchulain's fate that all through life, all people, 
 men and women alike, should love him, and that to those 
 he loved the best, he should bring most evil and unhappi- 
 ness, except to Emer alone. 
 
 It wanted but two days to the time when Cuchulain 
 and Ferdia should set out upon their return journey to 
 Emain Macha, and all things were made ready. 
 
 Skatha had determined to give the Gae Bolg to 
 Cuchulain as a parting gift, for of all her pupils, she 
 considered him only worthy to use it in battle. 
 
 Now it so chanced that, among the women warriors of 
 that period, there lived one named Aifa, who alone of all 
 the Amazons was Skatha's equal. She was also Skatha's 
 deadliest foe, and ruled over the adjoining province. 
 
 About the time arranged for the departure of Cuchulain 
 and Ferdia, Aifa determined on a fresh attempt to assert 
 her superiority over her rival and to capture all that land 
 over which Skatha ruled. 
 
 On the last day of Cuchulain's stay in the Land of 
 Shadows two messengers, bearing in their hands branches 
 of peace, came riding up to the Bridge of the Leaps, and 
 with shrill blasts on the horn they demanded audience of 
 Skatha. 
 
 Hastily summoning her guard, Skatha went out and 
 across a secret bridge to meet the messengers. 
 
 " What is thy pleasure, Strangers?" she asked, " and 
 whence come ye?"
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 107 
 
 " We be envoys from the great Queen Aifa, oh 
 Skatha.!" they made reply. 
 
 " And what message bear ye from my sister Aifa?" 
 
 " This is our message, that it is our lady's will that ye 
 straightway acknowledge her sovereignty over all this 
 Land of Shadows, and that ye journey with us to her 
 dun to do homage for the land, which in future, by her 
 gracious clemency, Queen Aifa deigns to allow ye to hold 
 in charge for her." 
 
 " And if I refuse, what then?" 
 
 The enemy answered promptly: 
 
 " The worst that may befall; fire and sword throughout 
 the land, to all who follow thee death by the sword, and 
 for thyself, no hope of escape, but death by torture." 
 
 " Thy breath is long and thy courage great, oh envoy," 
 sneered Skatha. 
 
 " The breeze of morning announces the storm of 
 night," replied the envoy menacingly. 
 
 While this colloquy had been going on, Cuchulain and 
 Ferdia had ridden up, and now Skatha saw them, and on 
 a sudden impulse said : 
 
 " Cuchulain is in my confidence, his lips interpret my 
 thoughts; speak them, Cuchulain, and give this envoy his 
 answer." 
 
 Cuchulain leaped from his horse and strode up to the 
 messengers. A great pride filled his soul at the trust 
 Skatha had reposed in him. His body seemed to swell, 
 and his flashing eyes presaged great words as he stared 
 straight into the cold face of the envoy who had spoken. 
 
 " Envoy of Aifa, go back to thy mistress and say to 
 her that Skatha bows the knee to none; that if Aifa 
 carries sword and fire into this land, we will give her 
 back blow for blow; tell her that we revile and defy her, 
 spit on her name ! We are not so poor in spirit that 
 we fear the croak of a hag-headed raven. We are well 
 armed and willing for war, but when our arms are broken, 
 and when Skatha has none to stand beside her but 
 Cuchulain, who speaks to thee, and his shield brother 
 Ferdia, our answer to Aifa will be the same. Thou hast 
 threatened this land with sword and flame, thou art
 
 108 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 knocking at our gates. Beware lest we fling them wide 
 and come to speak with the foe in our borders." 
 
 " Big words, boy!" Haughtily spoke the envoy. " In 
 thy turn, beware lest in the day of battle I tie thee to 
 the tail of my war chariot and beat thee with my spear 
 shaft, 'ere thou art sent to help the maidens tend the 
 kine." 
 
 Thus speaking, he turned to mount his horse, but his 
 words were too much for Cuchulain, whose eyes were 
 fairly blazing with fury. Stretching out his long arm he 
 gripped the envoy by the shoulder and twirled him round 
 as a feather is spun in a gust of wind. Then, thrusting 
 his face close to that of the man, he said in a voice of 
 suppressed fury : 
 
 " Look well at me, thou dog! Hast thou looked? " 
 
 " Aye, boy, I have looked my fill." 
 
 " And wilt thou know me again? " 
 
 " I shall know thee." 
 
 " Good ! for thou shalt stand against me in the battle, 
 .man to man. Thou dog ! Thou wind-bag ! Thou shalt 
 stand face to face with Cuchulain Cuchulain of the 
 Red Branch of Ulster; thy dis-membered limbs shall feed 
 the carrion birds, and thy head adorn my chariot wheels 
 when thou shalt have bowed the knee to my war blade ! 
 Now go! Well for thee that thou art an envoy, or thou 
 shouldst lie dead this instant." 
 
 When the envoys had gone, Cuchulain turned to Skatha 
 and asked : 
 
 " Have my lips delivered thy thoughts, Mistress? " 
 
 " Indeed, we see eye to eye in this matter, Cuchulain; 
 but thou shalt not see the end of it, for to-morrow thou 
 must wend homewards to Emain Macha with Ferdia, 
 while I must gather my host and march to meet Aifa." 
 
 With one voice Cuchulain and Ferdia protested. 
 
 " We go not hence but in thy train, until this matter 
 be settled and the victory won. Thou alone hast taught 
 us war-craft and in thy cause will we fight." 
 
 Seeing the lads so determined and so of one mind, 
 Skatha let the matter rest there for the moment, but, in 
 her own heart, she determined that neither should take
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 109 
 
 part in the fight lest evil should befall them ere they had 
 grown to their full manhood. 
 
 For the next few days all was preparation for the 
 march to meet Aifa's force as close to the border as 
 possible. 
 
 The force Skatha was able to raise was a large one, 
 but, if the spies spoke truth, the force marching against 
 her under Aifa's command, was much larger. 
 
 Aifa had pitched her camp upon a plain half way up 
 the mountains which formed the borders of her domains, 
 and it was reported that she was waiting there in the hope 
 that some of the neighbouring petty chiefs would come 
 in to swell her ranks. 
 
 On the day that Skatha 's host marched, she caused a 
 strong draught to be poured into the heather ale which 
 was placed before Cuchulain and Ferdia at their morning 
 meal, thinking that so she would leave them at the dun, 
 and that when they awakened, the host would be well 
 on its way, and the lads, unable to follow the unknown 
 road, would remain in safety. 
 
 Skatha, however, had reckoned without Cuchulain's 
 extraordinary vitality, and the draught which would 
 have kept an ordinary man insensible for twenty-four 
 hours, only served to keep him quiet until mid-day. 
 
 When Cuchulain awoke, he was still seated at table, 
 and beside him Ferdia sprawled across the board. Over the 
 whole building hung a death-like silence, and going out- 
 side he found the courtyard and outbuildings all deserted. 
 He realised with a shock that the host had marched, 
 and then, bethinking hirnself of Skatha's words, he saw 
 that he and Ferdia had been left behind intentionally. 
 Going back into the great living-hall, he exerted all his 
 skill to rouse Ferdia ; but in vain. 
 
 Cuchulain was not at the end of his resources yet by 
 any means. Seeing that it was impossible to rouse 
 Ferdia, he fetched their two horses, and by an ingenious 
 arrangement slung a cloak between them, into which he 
 lifted his unconscious friend, and, having strapped food 
 and weapons on to the backs of the animals, started
 
 110 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 calmly off to follow the host by the wheel tracks of the 
 war chariots. 
 
 At best he could but journey slowly with the still un- 
 conscious Ferdia, and as he entertained no hope of over- 
 taking the host that day, he camped early, and after 
 making his friend comfortable and attending to the horses, 
 he ate a frugal meal and went to sleep. 
 
 He was awakened early next morning by the sound 
 of someone vomiting fearfully, and starting up, he beheld 
 Ferdia in a cataclysm of sickness, as he cleared the 
 remains of Skatha's powerful draught from his stomach. 
 
 This illness, however, did not last long, and after a 
 wash and a tentative attempt at breakfast, Ferdia was 
 ready to set out on the day's journey, and although the 
 horse's action upset him again at first, the nausea wore off 
 as the day got up, and by mid-morning he was discussing 
 eagerly with Cuchulain the prospects of catching up the 
 host before nightfall. 
 
 " They have a good deal of baggage with them, and 
 many of the men are on foot," said Cuchulain, " so, at 
 the rate we are travelling, we should catch them up in 
 their camp this evening." 
 
 For a while they jogged on in silence, and then 
 Cuchulain spoke again. 
 
 " The mist is beginning to rise up the mountains, 
 so it will behove us to travel warily, for this part of the 
 land is unfamiliar to me." 
 
 Again they journeyed on in silence until the mist 
 sheets were unfurled about them, and a dense white wall 
 enclosed them on every side. 
 
 " Stop," said Cuchulain, " and let us lead our horses, 
 or we shall in all probability fall over the edge of some 
 precipice." 
 
 For a few yards they wandered on, and then, by mutual 
 impulse came to a standstill. 
 
 " We shall only lose the track of the chariot wheels 
 if we wander on in this fog," said Ferdia, " already I feel 
 by the unevenness of the ground that we have wandered 
 from the path." 
 
 Presently a sudden flaw of wind whirled the mists
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 111 
 
 away for an instant, and before them they saw the ragged 
 edge of a break in the ground, and below them a white 
 abyss naught beside ! 
 
 " Oh! I perceive that it is time we stopped," said 
 Cuchulain then again. 
 
 "Hark! I hear something cropping below," and 
 handing his horse's reins to Ferdia, he crept on hands 
 and knees to the brink of the chasm. Presently he could 
 trace some lambs browsing below along the brown paths 
 cleft in the rock face, and here and there green tufts 
 of grass. 
 
 Gradually the mist subsided and bared to his view 
 what appeared to be a great she-dragon with all her 
 young about her. 
 
 Cuchulain spoke over his shoulder to Ferdia : 
 
 "It is my thought that we stand upon the edge of 
 the world and below lies a great she-dragon suckling her 
 young." 
 
 Directing his gaze downward once more, Cuchulain saw 
 the mists swirl and melt, and the terrible dragon resolved 
 itself into a great tree lying prone where it had fallen, 
 uprooted by some forgotten gale, and around it clustered 
 boulders, which to his fog-distorted vision had been the 
 dragon's brood. Lower and lower into the chasm sank the 
 mist, part rolled away and part vanished utterly, and 
 behold below him, and to the right, a road wound down 
 the mountain side to a spot where Skatha's host rested in 
 bivouac, with earthworks thrown up all around. 
 
 A glad shout from the watcher brought Ferdia to his 
 side, and one look sent them both to their horses, and 
 set them riding swiftly along the road until they came 
 to the encampment, where Skatha welcomed them gladly, 
 for in her heart she had been sorry to exclude two such 
 champions from her following, although she had felt it 
 her bounden duty 'to prevent their taking part in the 
 approaching battle. 
 
 There was a great Council of War that evening, at 
 which it was decided to attack Aifa on the plain where 
 her host was now- encamped, without waiting for her to 
 advance further into the mountains, where it would pos-
 
 112 THE HOUND OF CUI.LAN 
 
 sibly have been more easy for Skatha 's hardy moun- 
 taineers to overcome their foes from the fertile plains. 
 
 Strategy was little thought of by the rough people of 
 that rough and far off age, so it was with difficulty that 
 Cuchulain persuaded Skatha to hold four hundred javelin 
 men in reserve to turn the tide of the fight if need be. 
 Indeed, Skatha only consented to this plan on condition 
 that Cuchulain, who had suggested it, should take com- 
 mand of them and that Ferdia should stay with him. 
 And now Cuchulain was fast in a cleft stick. He longed 
 for the fight, but how could he expect Skatha to accept 
 his advice if he himself refused to stay in command of 
 the party he had counselled her to hold in reserve? And 
 so, with the best grace he could muster, he consented. 
 
 That night the men slept on their spears, and long 
 before dawn, moved out to the attack under Skatha's 
 command. 
 
 Silently the fierce warriors crept down the mountain 
 side and on to the plain, never pausing until the outline 
 of the earthworks around Aifa's camp could be dimly 
 'discerned in the half light of the reflected dawn now 
 stealing over the hills behind them. 
 
 As silently as they had come they lay down and waited 
 for the pre-arranged signal the hooting of an owl, twice 
 repeated. 
 
 At this time the force of Skatha was spread out in a 
 crescent, but with larger bodies of men collected at the 
 points and centre than elsewhere, and further behind the 
 centre, fully two hundred men waited in a mass, and 
 behind them again Cuchulain's four hundred javelin men. 
 
 The plan of campaign was this. At the given signal, the 
 whole line was to dash forward to the earthworks, and 
 springing thereon, to rain a shower of javelins down into 
 the camp. The centre was then to appear to break, to 
 entice a part, at any rate, of the defenders into the open, 
 and then, reinforced by the two hundred swordsmen 
 waiting behind, the centre attack was to sweep through 
 the middle of the enemy's earthwork, and to fight its way 
 left and right to enable the points of the crescent to close 
 in.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 113 
 
 Cuchulain was left a free hand as to the disposition of 
 his force and the time at which they were to be launched 
 into the battle to turn the scale, and ensure a victory for 
 Skatha's arms. 
 
 Suddenly the eerie note of the night bird re-echoed 
 twice, and with a wild yell, fifteen hundred savage hill- 
 men sprang to the attack. Over the earthworks they 
 surged like a tidal wave, ruthlessly slaughtering the 
 sentries as they raged on; but once over the earthworks 
 a rude shock awaited them, for, instead of the sleeping 
 camp they had expected, they were confronted by a second 
 and higher earthwork, which was being hurriedly manned 
 by Aifa's men. 
 
 This second earthwork was higher than the head of a 
 tall man. It rose sheer from the ground, and all the face 
 of it was studded with stakes their points hardened in 
 the heart of a fire. These stakes were crossed above 
 and below, so that they met like the locked teeth of a 
 ferret, and made the parapet well-nigh unscalable. 
 
 For a moment the attackers hold back, and then 
 Skatha, a son on either side, dashes forward, the furs 
 with which she is clad streaming out behind her. With 
 one mighty leap she lands fairly on to the top of the 
 bank; two javelins she has time to throw before she is 
 thrust oft by a long pole. And now her followers are in 
 it too. Yelling, running, leaping, and cursing right up to 
 the parapet they charge. Showers of javelins and stones 
 rain on them from above, and pitfalls entrap them 
 beneath, for the defenders have dug wedge-shaped pits in 
 front of their earthworks and covered them with branches. 
 Each pit is eight feet deep or more, and from the bottoms 
 stand up sharpened stakes. 
 
 As the men tread on the false covering, down they 
 fall, and soon each pit is full, and each stake bears its 
 ghastly burden of human beings impaled like butterflies 
 on a pin. 
 
 The living trample the dead and dying underfoot as 
 they fight and climb up that awful wall. Three times 
 they are hurled back, and three times they come on 
 again.
 
 114 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 The reserves, all except Cuchulain 's band, are thrown 
 into the fight, and still they cannot win their way past 
 that inner line of defence. And now, far away on the left 
 of the line there is heard a roar of cheering as Cuchulain 
 leads his javelin men to the assault. Far in advance of his 
 followers runs the Glory of Ireland, chanting as he runs. 
 But where Skatha has failed Cuchulain and his men may 
 not succeed. Once they force their way on to the parapet, 
 fighting fiercely, and for many minutes hold their ground, 
 a ring of dead all round them; but Aifa hurls one fresh 
 troop after another upon them, and at last they are 
 driven out. Then Skatha collects the remnants of her 
 band and draws off, for in this fight she is losing men 
 fast, and gaining nothing thereby. 
 
 Aifa's forces too are weakened more than the attackers 
 know, and so Aifa sends a messenger to Skatha, chal- 
 lenging her to single combat, by the outcome of which 
 each force shall swear to be bound. 
 
 Skatha would gladly accept, but she has been severely 
 shaken when she was thrust from the earthworks. 
 
 " Skatha," says Cuchulain, when he hears of the 
 challenge, " to-day thou hast denied me the best part 
 of the fight, wilt thou not deign to let me stand in thy 
 stead against Aifa? " 
 
 " Ah, no, Cuchulain ! ask me not that," replies Skatha; 
 " in my might it may be that she would defeat even me; 
 how then canst thou hope to prevail against her in thy 
 yet unfledged manhood? My pupil thou art, but not yet 
 my equal." 
 
 " Mistress," said Cuchulain again, " think not that I 
 am puffed up with vainglory or wish to boast myself 
 aught but thy humble pupil, nor have I any doubt about 
 Aifa's prowess, and yet, in my bones I feel it, I may yet 
 do a deed against her and bring her humbled to thy 
 feet." 
 
 "No, no, Cuchulain! thou shalt not face this Fury. 
 To my care thou didst entrust thyself, and it would ill 
 beseem me to send thee to thy death. Even now thou 
 standest on Life's threshold, all thy years are before thee 
 and all thy deeds to do. What wouldst thou then? To
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 115 
 
 fall in my quarrel with all thy deeds undone ? Never ! 
 Think ! at Emain Macha waits thy mother Dectera, all 
 her hopes centre in thee, her only son. At the Dun of 
 Forgall the Wily, waits Emer, thy heart's love; dost thou 
 wish me to go down to my grave with their curses on my 
 head, that thou wouldst so rashly bow thyself to Aifa's 
 sword? " 
 
 " All this is very true, oh Skatha! but to my thinking 
 beside the point. Thou art thyself all spent, and, on 
 thine own words, unfit to face Aifa; tell me, can thy men 
 prevail and win their way over yonder frowning earth- 
 works ? No ! What then remains ? Wilt thou bend the 
 knee to Aifa and swear fealty to her as thy sovereign lady? 
 What of the torture, Skatha! and what of the death for 
 all those who have followed thee, myself and Ferdia 
 "midst the number? Canst thou still deny my right 
 aye, my right, for mine own life and the lives of those I 
 love hang on the issue to stand alone and face the might 
 of Aifa? " 
 
 ' Thou speak 'st sooth, Cuchulain, and yet my heart 
 bleeds to let thee go, for full well I know that thou shalt 
 fall in this quarrel, and naught will be gained in the end." 
 ' I think otherwise, oh Queen! and therefore I pray 
 thee tell me, what is it that Aifa cares for most in all 
 the world? " 
 
 " Her arms are much to her," says Skatha, " her pride 
 is more, but most of all she loves her chariot and horses." 
 "And thinkest thou that she will ride in her chariot 
 to the contest? " 
 
 ' That depends on where the combat is set." 
 
 " Then thou must arrange a far spot for the fight, 
 to which it will be necessary for her to drive, and, more- 
 over, thou must so choose the spot that there is a chasm 
 close at hand." 
 
 " Why?" queried Skatha. 
 
 " Ne'er mind that now, but so arrange it. Dost thou 
 doubt that she will accept me instead of thee to fight? " 
 
 " I have no doubt on that score, for thy prowess is all 
 unknown to her."
 
 116 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " Good ! Then let it stand so. I go to rest now in pre- 
 paration for the fray." 
 
 As Skatha had prophesied, Aifa gladly accepted 
 Cuchulain as an antagonist, for word of his wonderful 
 skill at arms had not reached her, and, in ail fairness it 
 must be said that it would not have deterred her one iota, 
 had she known of it. 
 
 Now it chanced that ten miles away over the mountain 
 road was a flat plain among the hills, perhaps an acre in 
 extent, of beautiful green sward, with a glen bounding 
 the only side of it which was not enclosed by hills. It 
 was a lovely sylvan spot, in which one would rather 
 expect to see the fairies dance, than two mortals striving 
 for each other's lives. 
 
 This hill-enclosed space was perfectly level, the sides 
 of the glen, all fern besprent, sloped steeply, and at the 
 bottom ran a babbling brook. 
 
 Here then it was arranged that the Hero of the Bed 
 Branch should give battle to Aifa an hour after dawn 
 on the following morning. 
 
 When Skatha went to find Cuchulain to tell him of the 
 arrangements for the fight, she found him sitting with 
 his back against a rock, singing the " Song of the Sword " 
 to himself, and going through a show of sharpening the 
 razor edge of his great war blade, which it will be 
 remembered he had received at the hands of King Conor 
 Mac Nessa. 
 
 " Good! " said he when he had been told all the 
 arrangements, and the spot where the fight would be 
 fought fully described to him; " now I will eat, and later 
 sleep, and by this time to-morrow all this tale will be 
 told and we shall know the might of Aifa and the strength 
 of Cuchulain, at their true worth." 
 
 When Ferdia awakened Cuchulain the next morning, 
 the sun had just risen above the horizon out of a luminous 
 mist. All around was the feeling of the remote awakening 
 world. From all the near-by trees and shrubs arose the 
 intermittent twittering of birds, their feathered throats 
 emitted myriad sounds, then sank to silence as they 
 drowsed again ere yet the sun had fully roused them. A
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 117 
 
 cold breath of morning warned the sleepers that not yet 
 should they be abroad before the mists of night were 
 swallowed up in the throat of dawn, when the sun 
 assauged his thirst after the night-long slumber. 
 
 On the hill-side where Cuchulain lay, the birds stirred 
 and twittered, but down in the valleys where yesterday's 
 fierce battle had raged, the moist air hung heavy and 
 dank, the only sound the rushing of a torrent below as 
 it fell to join a river. Along the banks of the river 
 bulrushes and reeds stabbed their heads above the mists, 
 like upraised sword points when warriors steal to the 
 attack through the dawning. 
 
 Soon an animal stirred far below, moving off, reluctant 
 it seemed, to leave its harbourage of the night. From 
 the river the plop of a jumping fish came clearly up the 
 height, and then a willow-herb mirrored pinkly the rising 
 sun, as he cleft his way through infinite degrees of swim- 
 ming moisture, reddening the rowans, setting free the 
 floating spiders' webs as the glow of golden primrose 
 gilded all the sky and touched tree branches with loving 
 hands. 
 
 The little birds darted from the bushes with violent 
 chatterings as the shadow of a hawk wheeling high from 
 his eyrie, passed overhead. 
 
 The silent watching Ferdia stirred to life, and bent to 
 shake Cuchulain. 
 
 The sun had warmed the world, and no more sleep re- 
 mained for him who might sleep sound in earth forever, 
 ere yet the sun had sped his round and sunk to rest 
 again. 
 
 " Awake, Cuchulain! " cried Ferdia, " and take thine 
 arms. See, I have made all ready whilst thou didst sleep. 
 Come, rise and eat while the chariots are prepared 
 to take us to the Place of the Glen ; already the host has 
 marched, and Skatha awaits thee." 
 
 Yawning and rubbing his eyes, Cuchulain sat up, and 
 then as sleep cleared from his brain, came swift the recol- 
 lection of all that the day should hold for him. 
 
 Stripping off the clothes in which he had slept, he 
 rolled in the dew wet grass, and then, opening his bundle,
 
 118 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 arrayed himself in the gala clothes he had worn when he 
 claimed the arms of manhood. 
 
 First he put on his kilt of blue and his smock of 
 emerald green, and next flung about his shoulders the 
 flaming scarlet cloak and fastened the golden buckle, and 
 then, after strapping on his sword belt, he slung upon 
 his shoulders the buckler of red wood with strange devices 
 of men and animals carved upon the rim, which Cullan 
 had given him. 
 
 As he finished dressing and tied a fillet about his 
 brow, Cuchulain sighed, " Would that Laeg were here 
 that I might drive with him behind ' Black Sainglend ' 
 and ' the Grey of Macha ' to the fight. ' ' 
 
 Skatha greeted Cuchulain to breakfast, and looked 
 proudly on him as he stood there in the pride of his war 
 gear and gala finery, with the sun lighting up the glory 
 of his face and form. 
 
 The meal was a short one, for time was flying and the 
 horses stood pawing the earth impatiently, and so, soon, 
 they gat them to the chariots and drove off to the field 
 of combat. 
 
 But what a sight awaited them as they drove on to 
 the plain between the narrow gut of the hills known as 
 the Place of the Glen. 
 
 In the centre Aifa strode up and down, tossing up a 
 great war sword while she chanted her battle song in a 
 high clear voice. On three sides of the arena the hills 
 rose steeply, a beautiful sylvan scene ordinarily. To-day 
 they presented a wondrous spectacle, for in place of the 
 rocks, that field of grass seemed to be hemmed in with 
 a solid wall of humanity, rising tier upon tier, Skatha's 
 men barely divided from Aifa's by a narrow line. 
 
 Above the dark furs the men wore, their faces showed 
 strange, white and tense, and from above the crowd rose a 
 sweaty, steaming mist, for all had marched far and fast 
 that morning to see the combat. 
 
 Here and there could be seen bloody bandages swath- 
 ing heads and limbs grim relics of yesterday's fierce 
 fight, and from time to time the sunlight would flash 
 back from steel as a man moved sword or spear in shifting
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 119 
 
 his position, whilst high overhead, great flights of crows 
 were playing " break-neck " across the cloudless sky. 
 
 As Ferdia drove the chariot out from the gorge on to 
 the plain, Cuchulain broke into song, his golden voice 
 ringing back from the rocks as it swelled the notes of the 
 song of " Approaching Victory." A great cheer of 
 welcome burst from the throats of Skatha's men as they 
 saw their champion approach. Aifa ceased playing with 
 her weapons and turned to see this presumptuous youth 
 who dared to face her might. 
 
 The cheering dies down as Cuchulain descends from the 
 chariot, which Ferdia drives away. He stands alone, 
 while Skatha walks across the turf to where Aifa stands 
 beside her chariot at the edge of the glen. 
 
 ' Well met, Sister," cries Skatha, " thou art first in 
 the field to-day." 
 
 " Aye, Skatha," replied Aifa with a sneer, " first all 
 days and always. Why dost send this youngling against 
 me? Is Skatha then afraid?" 
 
 " Not afraid, Aifa, now or ever, but too spent with 
 yesterday's work to fight with thee to-day; but think not 
 this youngling thou sneerest at will prove an easy 
 conquest. Cuchulain besought me to let him stand 
 against thee, and I have no fears for my champion." 
 ' Bah! " said Aifa, " I hate chastising children." 
 
 " Let be, let be," spoke Skatha again; " how is the 
 game to be set, do ye fight within the circle, or bye and 
 large ? ' ' 
 
 " Bye and large, let it be, so that I have more space 
 to pursue and catch this youngling when he runs." 
 
 " Count not too much on the running," mocks Skatha, 
 " Cuchulain is swift of foot in pursuit of a fleeing foe." 
 
 And now Skatha goes back to Cuchulain, and Aifa 
 makes ready her arms. 
 
 Cuchulain learns the conditions, and then a hush of 
 expectation falls on the spectators, as it is seen that the 
 opponents are about to take the field against each other. 
 
 As he stepped out, Cuchulain unclasped his cloak and 
 made as if to throw it to Ferdia, but, changing his mind, 
 he clasped the buckle again, and went into the arena
 
 120 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 with his cloak flowing down from his shoulders, at which 
 all marvelled greatly. 
 
 When Aifa had made ready, she strode proudly out 
 into the arena to meet Cuchulain, and so they were set 
 facing each other with some ten or, perhaps, twelve paces 
 separating them, and it was seen that Aifa trembled with 
 fury, for ehe was incensed, feeling an affront had been 
 put upon her in that she considered Skatha had sent a 
 young boy against her in mockery. 
 
 An old man, like a foul grey badger, his gnarled and 
 horny hands locked close about a great stump of black- 
 ened oak, stood at the edge of the plain and spoke. 
 
 " The young man is beautiful as the sun, but he comes 
 ill armed with two javelins and a sword against so mighty 
 an Amazon as Aifa; moreover, the cloak he has not cast 
 off will hamper him and encumber his limbs." 
 
 Now Ferdia stood by and heard the old man speak 
 thus, and he was fearful for his shield-brother, for he 
 too thought Cuchulain foolish not to have discarded that 
 flaming crimson cloak. 
 
 For a moment the champions stand gazing at each other 
 with every nerve tense, and then, with a shrill scream, 
 Aifa leaps forward with sword upraised. Quite still 
 Cuchulain stands, waiting passively for the blow to fall; 
 down strikes the sword, and just as it seems about to 
 cleave his skull, he leaps lightly aside, shifting his sword 
 into his left hand as he does so, and, as Aifa rushes past, 
 carried on by her own impetus, he slaps her sharply in 
 the face with his flat hand. 
 
 A roar of laughter goes up from Skatha and her fol- 
 lowers, and Aifa wheels round, screaming with rage, and 
 rushes at Cuchulain again; again he waits passively, and 
 then as the sword is whirled up for the blow he half 
 raises his own blade to guard his head, and then, seeming 
 to lose all his courage, he turns and flees from Aifa, who 
 pursues him with a triumphant yell. 
 
 And now is the turn of Aifa's men to cheer and laugh, 
 as Cuchulain darts hither and thither, always just out of 
 reach of that threatening blade, and ever looking, as it 
 seems, for some way to break through the human wall
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 121 
 
 which rings him in. Round and round the arena they 
 career, Cuchulain always just sufficiently ahead to keep 
 out of harm; and now he appears to stagger and clutches 
 at his throat as he runs, but a careful watcher would see 
 that his pace does not decrease, if anything he runs faster, 
 and Aifa speeds after him. Suddenly something seems 
 to flame behind Cuchulain; he has loosed his cloak right 
 in the path of Aifa's flying feet, and she, dashing madly 
 on, obsessed by the lust for slaughter, catches her feet in 
 it and crashes headlong to the ground, her sword flying 
 from her hand as she falls. Now Cuchulain whirls round, 
 leaps to where Aifa lies prone, and placing his foot upon 
 her neck, presses the point of his sword against her spine 
 for a second and then stands off from her, his foot resting 
 on the sword which has flown from her hand. 
 
 Slowly she rises from the ground, marvelling that she 
 is still alive, and then she looks down at her empty hands 
 and at the great war blade so many had kissed in doom, 
 lying now beneath Cuchulain's foot. And as she looks, 
 her pride is humbled and the great tears course down her 
 cheeks unchecked. 
 
 " Aifa," says Cuchulain, " some while back thou didst 
 talk somewhat of running; therefore have I taught thee 
 a lesson. Boast not, oh Queen! and despise not youth ! " 
 
 Swiftly he stoops and whirls up the great war blade 
 and carries it to Aifa, hilt foremost, and holding it out 
 to her he says : 
 
 ' Taka now thy sword again, and we will finish this 
 matter, for I have shed my mantle and thou hast shed 
 some of thy pride, I fancy I" 
 
 Without a word Aifa takes her sword and waits, 
 but she blushes rosy red at the feel of the hilt in her 
 hand again. 
 
 Once more they stand and face each other in the midst 
 of the plain, but this time there is no question of flight 
 or subterfuge. Round and round they go twisting and 
 turning, while their feet tear up the turf. Cuchulain 
 rushes in with sword aloft and gives a great two-handed 
 blow, but Aifa catches it upon her shield and takes no 
 hurt. She feints at Cuchulain's head, then sinks the
 
 122 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 sword beneath the cover of her shield and sweeps at his 
 legs, and that stroke had been his bane, had he not leaped 
 high in air, striking downwards as he leaps. The sword 
 sinks deep into Aifa's shield and is almost wrenched from 
 his hand, but he recovers it with a fierce tug. 
 
 They draw off from each other for a moment, and stand 
 panting. 
 
 Aifa rushes in and strikes a mighty blow ; down flashes 
 the bright blade like a falling star, and Cuchulain catches 
 it on his shield which is smitten from his hand as he is 
 beaten to his knee. Quick as lightning the blade sweeps 
 again, but Cuchulain guards, and so great is the blow 
 that his sword breaks off with a sharp snap close by the 
 hilt, and he is defenceless at the mercy of his foe. 
 
 Aif a whirls up the great war blade and a hushed sigh 
 of anticipation, almost a gasp, goes up from the watching 
 hordes. Cuchulain sees the sun flash on the descending 
 steel and flings himself sideways, falling on his out- 
 stretched hand, while with the other he points behind 
 Aifa and cries in a great voice : 
 
 " See, see! the chariot and horses of Aifa have fallen 
 into the glen." 
 
 Aifa stops the stroke and whirls round to see what has 
 befallen her most treasured possessions. Like a flash, 
 Cuchulain is on his feet and springs upon his foe; he 
 winds his long sinuous arms about her neck from behind 
 and holds her fast. 
 
 In vain Aifa writhes and struggles, her weapons are of 
 no avail with Cuchulain behind her, nor can she twist 
 free; twice she lifts him clear oft his feet as she bends 
 her body forward, and twice he slips sideways and drags 
 her upright again. Then gradually all those watching 
 eyes behold Aifa grow black in the face as her body is 
 bent back and back, until at last she lies, her spine curved 
 across Cuchulain's thigh. Thus they stay a moment im- 
 movable; Aifa's lips are drawn back from her teeth in a 
 fierce snarl and her eyes glare defiance up at her foe. 
 
 With a movement, so swift that those who watch 
 cannot follow it, Cuchulain bends like a well-sprung bow, 
 and straightens his body upright, and behold ! he stands
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 123 
 
 on his legs with Aifa across his shoulders, her ankles and 
 wrists prisoned within his grasp. 
 
 An awed silence greets the deed, and then an outland 
 Dane of Aifa's own following calls across the plain : 
 
 " By Scyld Scefing! Beowulf's self could not have 
 done better." 
 
 Then babel breaks loose as the conqueror strides across 
 the arena to where Skatha stands. Some cry, " A trick, 
 a trick! " and others, " Bravely done! ' Taunts, curses 
 and threats are thrown from hill to hill, as men rise up 
 with hand on hilt and are dragged down again by their 
 more level-headed shield-mates. 
 
 At last Cuchulain stops before Skatha amidst the 
 threatening thunders of approaching bloodshed, and flings 
 Aifa to the ground. Then placing his knife to her throat, 
 he calls aloud for all to hear: 
 
 " Now, Aifa, yield ye to Skatha and swear peace and 
 allegiance." 
 
 ' I yield and swear allegiance," Aifa answers sullenly. 
 
 " Good! thyself shalt be hostage at Skatha's dun for 
 the behaviour of thyself and thy tribe." 
 
 At this the clamour, hushed a moment to hear, breaks 
 out anew. Skatha's people make the welkin ring with 
 shouts of acclamation, but Aifa's men hurl curses at 
 their foes, and the cry, " a trick, a trick! he conquered 
 by a trick! " rings out from all their ranks. First one 
 and then another leaps down into the arena with blade 
 in hand, but before they can engage, Cuchulain is between 
 the angry warriors, unarmed, his empty hands flung wide. 
 
 " Hold! " he cries in a voice of thunder, "Hold! 
 what ! have I fought this day to save further bloodshed, 
 only to see the swords redden e'en now in the setting sun? 
 Back to the hills ye men of Skatha, back, I say ! Back ! 
 do ye hear me? The man who goes not back answers to 
 me for it." 
 
 The men of Skatha withdraw sullenly to the hillside, 
 and now Cuchulain fronts the infuriated mob alone; 
 ^words are up, and fists, hairy to the finger nails, are 
 shaken in his face; the reek of their breath comes to
 
 124 THE HOUND OF CuLLAN 
 
 him, as the wall of fierce faces closes in and they shriek 
 at him, " A trick, a trick, ye conquered by a trick." 
 
 Then Cuchulain speaks again : 
 
 " Well, perhaps I did, but what of the words ye 
 pledged, to let the matter stand as it finished with Aifa 
 and me, and to abide the issue as it might fall between 
 us? " 
 
 "A trick, a trick! and now all bonds are broken!" 
 they cry, but Cuchulain goes calmly on : 
 
 " And now I stand before ye, all unarmed, because I 
 trust thy word, but, that none may say in years to come 
 that a warrior of the Eed Branch Hostel feared to conquer 
 fairly, choose ye the best twelve swordsmen in thy ranks, 
 and I will find one to stand back to back with me, and we 
 twain will battle \vith the twelve." 
 
 The clamour dies down and the men talk amongst 
 themselves. 
 
 ' Well," says Cuchulain, " do ye agree? " 
 ' We agree," answers that Dane who had compared 
 the boy warrior to Beowulf. 
 
 "Good! Then Aifa shall give the signal to lay^on, 
 that ye may have no grounds for complaint, and the 
 signal shall be this, Aifa shall cast a javelin into the air 
 and when the point touches the ground, the fight shall 
 commence." 
 
 As Aifa's men gather into a bunch to choose their 
 tw r elve champions, Cuchulain looks around for Ferdia, and 
 seeing him by Skatha's side he goes over to them, and 
 says : 
 
 ' Well, Ferdia, my shield-brother, what sayest thou 
 to this, wilt stand back to back and take thy chance 
 against the twelve with me? " 
 
 " To-day thou hast shew r ed thyself a man of might, 
 thou Glory of Ireland, and because of the joy of battle I 
 will stand back to back with thee until this fight is 
 fought," answers Ferdia. 
 
 ' Well spoken, Ferdia," cries Cuchulain, and they 
 walk side by side until they come to the centre of the 
 arena a splendid pair, goodly to look upon, but ill to 
 meet in battle.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 125 
 
 " Thou hast changed sword for axe, Cuchulain," says 
 Ferdia as they walk, " how shall we twain fare in the 
 fight? ' 
 
 " All fight is good," laughs Cuchulain, " so what 
 matter how the fight shall end. Conquest is good, for 
 that brings glory, and death is good for that brings sleep 
 and rest, and is an end of all." 
 
 When they are come to the centre of the arena they 
 stand and discuss how they shall fight; the twelve cham- 
 pions make ready, and meanwhile the hills are lined again 
 with men. 
 
 ' What now can save these twain? " asks a man in 
 the crowd; " surely must they be of the upper world,* 
 if they conquer in this fight." 
 
 "And yet," answered that Dane who had sworn by 
 Scyld Scefing, " they are a glorious pair, none others 
 have these eyes beheld in my world-roving to equal them. 
 They are but younglings, yet Skatha taught them, and 
 the Red Branch brought them forth." 
 
 The twelve champions now came forward, some armed 
 with swords, some with javelins as well as swords, 
 and one great fellow bears an axe. As they come, 
 Cuchulain whispers a final word to Ferdia and the shield 
 brethren stand back to back; the champions divide, so 
 that one half face Cuchulain and the other half face 
 Ferdia, and there is a space of perhaps ten yards between 
 the brethren and their foes on either side. Aifa stands 
 ready with a javelin in her hand and calls aloud to know 
 if the fight is set, and then, while all eyes watch her, she 
 draws back her right arm and sends the javelin hurtling 
 on its flight. All heads are turned and all eyes follow 
 the weapon as it speeds humming through the air, but 
 none watch the brethren as they crouch lower and 
 lower, like tigers preparing to spring. 
 
 As the spear-head beds itself in earth, the brethren 
 spring into their stride and charge straight at their foes; 
 a shout of wonder goes up, for all men had thought that 
 
 * Upper World i.e., They must be of the kindred of the gods 
 The People of Dana. Author.
 
 126 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 the two would have stood to face the attack of the twelve. 
 Ferdia's sword clears a path for him while Cuchulain's 
 great axe sweeps in a circle disabling two men as he runs. 
 Another shout goes up when it is seen that both have 
 broken through the lines, and three men are down on the 
 grass ; two lie still for ever, but the third moans and tries to 
 crawl away, and now the slayers turn swiftly and charge 
 back towards each other, laying low two more foemen as 
 they pass. Once more they are back to back again facing 
 their foes, but now only seven stand against them, for 
 five are down, maimed or dead, never to fight again. 
 
 The whole incident has passed so swiltly that the 
 champions hardly realise the catastrophe that has befallen 
 them, and then, seeing the dead about their feet, they 
 spring forward with a snarl of rage. Two fall upon 
 Cuchulain with their swords, and presently one sinks 
 down, his head stove in as the back of the axe crushes 
 in the side of his face on the return swing; the other 
 stands off to let a spearman take his place. Meanwhile 
 one of Ferdia's opponents has outrun the others; he aims 
 a great blow which carries off half of Ferdia's shield, but 
 not before it has sufficiently diverted the stroke to save 
 shoulder and neck. Ferdia sweeps low at him with the 
 sword and cleaves clean through bone and muscle, severing 
 the leg above the knee. 
 
 " These two shape well," cries the Dane, "and me- 
 thinks the sun will set red on their victory." 
 
 Cuchulain stands and mocks his three remaining 
 assailants, for they cannot come at him with their javelins 
 by reason of the great sweep of the axe, held at the full 
 length by those long arms, and they fear to hurl their 
 spears lest they slay their two comrades, even now doing 
 their best to finish Ferdia. They draw off and a lull falls 
 in the fight, while the shield brothers mock the champions ; 
 and now javelins are hurled at Cuchulain, but they harm 
 him not, for he has unslung his shield and catches the 
 flying weapons thereon. 
 
 The air seems alive with humming spears, but not one 
 of them eludes the vigilance of Cuchulain, who guards 
 himself and dodges with the most wonderful agility,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 127 
 
 until even Skatha, who has taught him this feat of arms, 
 marvels at the aptness of her pupil. 
 
 Cuchulain's three opponents close in, and simul- 
 taneously one of those who stand before Ferdia, shortens 
 his javelin and rushes in, but Ferdia bends his body at 
 the waist to let the spear pass him while he cuts the 
 man down with his sword. 
 
 " But one remains, brother," calls Ferdia. 
 
 " Three remain," echoes Cuchulain. 
 
 The great axe bearer rushes on to Cuchulain, and blows 
 fall like hail; one glances from the rim of his shield, and 
 falling upon his iron headpiece, beats him to the knee. 
 He is up again in an instant, and strikes out at his foe, 
 but his balance is not true, and the blow falls short. 
 
 " 111 struck, boy! " cries the great man. 
 
 " A good blow makes up for all," shouts Cuchulain, 
 as the axe bearer goes down before a mighty stroke 
 which cuts through shoulder and breast. Then to Ferdia 
 he calls : 
 
 " Two remain, brother." 
 
 Ferdia is fighting hard and his breath comes in great 
 gasps, but presently he wounds that man who stands 
 before him, and as he sinks down Ferdia leaps round 
 shouting : 
 
 "None remain to me, brother." 
 
 At this cry the two who stand before Cuchulain turn 
 to flee, and one of them is that envoy who, at Skatha's 
 dun, threatened to whip Cuchulain at his chariot tail. 
 The shield brethren watch the warriors flying, for the 
 space during which a man may draw three deep breaths, 
 and then after them they speed like greyhounds un- 
 leashed. Round and round they race, the brethren being 
 separated in the pursuit. Cuchulain soon overtakes the 
 flying envoy and calls upon him to stand lest he cut 
 him down as he runs. On tears the man, and behind 
 him thunders Cuchulain, who seems to eat up the ground 
 in great strides. At last, the fugitive, finding that, run 
 as he will, he cannot out-distance that relentless pursuer, 
 turns and stands on guard, but it is not Cuchulain's 
 purpose to slay him out of hand.
 
 128 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Dropping his upraised axe head, Cuchulain says : 
 
 " Look well at me, fellow, didst boast to whip a boy 
 at the tail of thy war chariot? Now thou standest face 
 to face with that boy, Cuchulain of the Eed Branch, as 
 I didst promise thee thou shouldst stand. Now shall be 
 fulfilled the rest of the promise, and I will hew thee limb 
 from limb, oh wind-bag, sometime mouth of Aifa! 
 
 Seeing his fate thus upon him the Aifan envoy rushed 
 upon Cuchulain and cut desperately at him with his 
 sword, but Cuchulain stepped back to let the stroke fall 
 short, and, heaving up his axe gave his full strength to 
 the blow, and so great was that stroke that the axe cleft 
 the man's skull and sank far down into his breast bone. 
 
 " All, Ferdia! " shouted Cuchulain in a mighty voice. 
 
 " All are slain, my brother," came back the cry of 
 Ferdia from across the arena. 
 
 At the end of this fight the cheering came full tail 
 from all sides in admiration of the valour and matchless 
 skill at arms of these two youths; loud and long rose the 
 marching songs as the whole host marched onward 
 through the night to the Dun of Skatha. 
 
 Arrived at the dun some days later, a great feast was 
 held in honour of Cuchulain and Ferdia, and there, on 
 the high seat across the top of the hall sat Aifa, side by 
 side with Skatha, not as a prisoner, but as an honoured 
 hostage in the place where she must dwell for many 
 months to come.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 129 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 AUTUMN passed into Winter and found Cuchulain still at 
 the Dun of Skatha. The short days were spent in hunting 
 the wolves, grown fierce and hungry, in the snow; and 
 round the great hearth in the hall the warriors drank 
 deep of nights as they listened to the songs of heroes sung 
 and recited by the skalds. 
 
 After the meal one bitter night they called on Cuchulain 
 for a song, hoping as they placed the harp in his hands 
 that he would sing to them a lay of his own great deeds, 
 but this he was unwilling to do. 
 
 Gazing into the fire, he picked thoughtfully at the 
 strings for a while, his head bent as if listening. Pre- 
 sently he lifted his head with a jerk, a little tender smile 
 about his mouth as the instrument vibrated into life under 
 his hand. Softly swelled the strain, not of war but of 
 love and gentleness in sunny lands; true and clear, the 
 singer's golden voice rang out in the silence of the great 
 hall, bringing tears into the eyes of the women by the fire. 
 Even the rough soldiers, unused as they were to any 
 kiss other than that of axe or sword, hearkened too. 
 
 The song goes on, speaking of Mother-quiet and the 
 things of childish days that flutter the heart strings with 
 memories of byegone years. The tender notes sink low 
 telling of lovers' meetings by the cattle byres at dusk; 
 the touching of hands and of glistening hair, desire 
 illimitable born of the first kiss, and the sweet body- 
 warmth of close proximity. The singer speaks of the 
 still content of love fulfilled, and of the ripening mother 
 breasts, in a hushed crescendo. 
 
 The rhythm changes, wailing of sorrow and separation, 
 growing to crashing melody of the man fighting for his 
 mate in " the high cause of love's magnificence." The 
 song sinks to silence and silence lives in the room, until 
 Aifa reaches for the harp and begins to sing, and her 
 song is of Cuchulain and his might; with many sidelong
 
 130 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 glances at the hero she sings the theme; and that men 
 thought a good song, for Aifa did not shame to sing of 
 Cuchulain's conquest of herself and the chosen twelve ; but 
 Cuchulain was not pleased, for those half-veiled, sidelong 
 glances stirred him strangely, and now he bethought him 
 that it was time to set out on his return journey to 
 Emain Macha, yet still he dallied, restless and undecided. 
 Now it chanced that shortly after the night on which 
 Aifa and Cuchulain sang to the company of Skatha, a 
 wandering soldier came to the dun, and though they knew 
 it not, he was a forsworn man flying from justice; but 
 Aifa knew him for what he was, and a great love of 
 Cuchulain and a desire to possess him having grown up 
 in her heart, she decided to use the renegade for her own 
 ends. 
 
 At this time Skatha gathered her men for a foray, in 
 which Cuchulain was wounded, so that he had to remain 
 within the dun for many weeks while Skatha and her 
 following came and went about the tasks the new come 
 Spring imposed upon them, and on one such occasion 
 he was left alone in the dun with Aifa and the women 
 folk. 
 
 This was the opportunity for which Aifa had waited. 
 Sending for the fugitive soldier, she instructed him in a 
 certain tale which he should tell to Cuchulain when he 
 came in from the walk he took daily as his strength grew 
 in him anew. 
 
 " Nay, lady," said the man, " that were a shameful 
 deed to deceive so a wanderer in a far land." 
 
 ' Yet if thou canst not tell the tale as I have instructed 
 thee," replied Aifa, " the unthinking silence of eternal 
 night steals down upon thee, for thy story is known to 
 me and shall be known to Skatha too, and Skatha has no 
 place for renegades in her dwelling." 
 
 " It shall be even as thou desirest, lady," said the 
 man, adding bitterly, " to run down the hill of honour 
 is easy, but the road to the summit is hard to climb 
 again." 
 
 Presently Cuchulain came in from his walk, singing 
 blithely, for his mind was made up to return to claim
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 131 
 
 Emer as soon as his wound was sufficiently healed to 
 allow him to travel. 
 
 In the great hall he found Aifa sitting alone. 
 
 " Is time hanging heavy here, Aifa? " he said. 
 
 "Nay, Cuchulain, I was but thinking of thee, for I 
 have but just learned that the soldier who came here 
 some days hence is last from Emain Macha." Saying 
 which she rose to pass out. 
 
 ' Where is this man? " asked Cuchulain, " I would 
 talk with him if thou wilt send him hither." 
 
 Presently the man stood before Cuchulain, who spoke 
 to him. 
 
 ' Well, fellow! so thou art from Emain Macha? " 
 
 " Even from the King's Court, lord." 
 
 "So! and how fares it with the King, and with my 
 mother, Dectera?" 
 
 " Well, lord, both are well." 
 
 " And what of Fergus Mac Roy? " 
 
 " It was said that Fergus was about to start on a 
 great foray against Queen Maev, but of this I know little." 
 
 After a pause Cuchulain questioned : 
 
 " Say, fellow, hast heard aught of one Emer, daughter 
 of Forgall the Wily? " 
 
 " Aye, lordl Forgall's daughter is wed, wed against 
 her wish to an outland chief from overseas, whence she 
 has sailed with him it is said." 
 
 " What? " thundered Cuchulain, springing up, "thou 
 liest, villain ! " 
 
 " Nay, lord," answered the man, " this I know for 
 truth, for my brother fights in Forgall's train, and he it 
 was who told me." 
 
 " Go I go! " said Cuchulain, sinking his head on his 
 hands; " go before I slay thee as an ill-omened tale- 
 bearer." 
 
 Cuchulain leant against the wall and groaned. 
 
 " Emer false! " he muttered; " Emer false! and now 
 all oaths are broken, all hopes sped, and all my wander- 
 ings are vain." 
 
 ' What ails thee, Cuchulain? " whispered Aifa, gliding 
 up to him, and drawing down his hands between her own.
 
 132 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 "111 news, Aifa; love is sped and false, and all my 
 hopes are naught." 
 
 " Sorrow for thee, Cuchulain, such as is my sorrow in 
 the captivity to which thy might hath brought me. Come 
 tell me all the tale," she murmured, as she drew him 
 unresisting to her chamber, but as she passed the women's 
 door, she called for wine to be brought. 
 
 As twilight wore to dark, Cuchulain sat in Aifa's 
 chamber brooding on his sorrows and drinking deep of 
 the wine; and ever the woman crept closer to his side, 
 whispering words of consolation and hopes of other love. 
 At last her hand lay within his own and her head rested 
 upon his shoulder ; swifter than fumes of wine the scent of 
 her hair rose up to ensnare his brain; her eyes held his 
 eyes as he stretched out his arms to take her to him, and 
 gazed deep into those wanton depths, but even as his 
 head bent low to drink the waters of desire from her lips, 
 a cold blast, cruel as a knife, passed between them 
 bearing on its breath memory of the words of Fergus at 
 the feast of Cullan : 
 
 ' ' Through mighty deeds shalt thou win the guerdon of 
 a beauteous woman's love, who shall cleave to thee so 
 long as life and time do last .... yet wilt thou prove 
 faithless to thy love 'ere all this tale be told." 
 
 With remembrance came loathing of that which he 
 was about to do, for if Emer had proved faithless, yet 
 she had proved faithless not of her own will but rather by 
 force of her father's dominance over her. Why then 
 should he too prove faithless to the oaths they had sworn? 
 
 " Nay, Aifa; I wrong myself and thee, 'twere best that 
 we should part and make an end ! " 
 
 "Ah, stay! " breathed Aifa, her arms about his neck. 
 
 " Nay, let me hence." 
 
 "Stay, oh stay! Thyself hath said all oaths are 
 broken." 
 
 ' Yet will I go! " 
 
 " Cuchulain, wherein lies the wrong thou speakest of? 
 Thy love is wed, thy hopes are dead; am not I fair as she 
 thou didst love? See, I am straight and tall, fair and 
 well seeming; moreover if we two wed, Skatha will doubt-
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 133 
 
 less restore my land to me if thou art to rule over it as 
 my husband and my King ! ' ' 
 
 " Nay, Aifa, this may not be! Truly all oaths are 
 broken, and so henceforth I journey lonely, on all the seas 
 of the world, seeking my doom, so let me hence I pray 
 thee!" 
 
 And now guile entered into the woman's heart with 
 the remembrance of a certain love potion which lay 
 concealed within the bosom of her dress, and she stood 
 off from the man her soul desired and her body ached for, 
 saying : 
 
 "Go then if thou wilt, thou Glory of Ireland! and 
 going, drink the cup of friendship at parting, for it is in 
 my mind that soon thou wilt be far away, and we twain 
 may meet no more." 
 
 As Cuchulain rose and passed his hand wearily across 
 his brow, she turned aside and filled a horn with wine, 
 spilling the love potion therein as she covered the vessel 
 from him with her body. 
 
 Turning again, she handed him the cup and watched 
 him as he drained it to the dregs. 
 
 As he drank, Cuchulain felt fire run through his veins, 
 his brain was clouded, and around him drifted waves of 
 soft, seductive music. The room faded from his vision; 
 only Aifa stood before him in the glow of the peat fire, a 
 thing of pulsating, passionate life and love. 
 
 For a moment he battled against himself, shutting out 
 the vision of old sin and temptation with his hands across 
 his eyes, but Aifa crept closer, and stealthily drawing his 
 hands on tc her breast, murmured, " The past dies, the 
 present is ours, Cuchulain"; her hot lips clung close to 
 his mouth, searing his soul with fire afresh and he knew 
 no more. 
 
 Cuchulain dreamed. In his dream he saw standing 
 over him that figure of Light which had succoured him 
 on the Plains of 111 Luck. The Being looked down with 
 saddened eyes and half-averted gaze, and seemed to say : 
 
 " 111 hast thou done, Cuchulain; all oaths are not 
 broken, but thou art forsworn. Shame hath touched thee,
 
 134 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 and heavy shalt thy punishment be; one son alone shalt 
 thou have a glorious boy, but he shall pass from thee on 
 the wave of thy battle fury." 
 
 Thrice did this dream haunt his sleep, and each time 
 he groaned aloud, and the third time turned and woke, 
 and, Lo ! beside him lay Aifa. . . . He looked upon her 
 beauty and upon the smile of evil content which wreathed 
 her sleeping lips, whereon he had wasted his soul and lost 
 his honour. Loathing of himself and of her entered into 
 his heart, and with an anguished cry he sprang from the 
 couch. Aifa woke at the sound, and gazed with fear on 
 his wild, remorse-stricken countenance. 
 
 " Oh," cried Cuchulain, " what hath befallen, what 
 didst thou drop into the cup of friendship that has 
 destroyed all friendship for ever?" 
 
 " Nay, Cuchulaiu, naught matters," answered Aifa, 
 her hair about her face. " None need know of this, and 
 soon we may take the oaths within the doom ring." 
 
 " Bather would I lay across the doom stone with the 
 holy adze above me poised to strike out my life, than by 
 thy side again, thou light o' love," cried Cuchulain, 
 shaking with fury. 
 
 Aifa heard and grew pale. On one throw had she 
 staked all and sold her soul to gain this man. Fearfully 
 she gazed at him under her lashes, and then spoke. 
 
 " Not so easily are the bonds between us to be severed, 
 Cuchulain 1 With sin I bought thee, and by sin I hold 
 thee ! Will Skatha smile to hear that her champion 
 hath denied her hostage?" 
 
 ' ' No greater evil canst thou work than hath been done 
 already, and cannot be undone," answered Cuchulain, 
 and passed thence into the hall, where he sat brooding, 
 over the dead embers of last night's fire. 
 
 Months passed and at length a son was born to Aifa, 
 and him Cuchulain knew to be the son the Being of Light 
 had promised in the dream. At this time a strangeness 
 came upon Cuchulain, and he determined to go a'Viking 
 over the seas to far lands, but before he went, he saw
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 135 
 
 Aifa once again, and, drawing a ring from his finger, 
 handed it to her, saying : 
 
 ' When this little one shall be sufficiently grown that 
 his finger fits the ring, thou shalt send him to seek me 
 in Ireland. His name shall be Connla, and thou shalt 
 charge him under geise that he never makes way for any 
 man, nor refuses a combat, nor shall he ever make himself 
 known to man or woman until he hath slain his first 
 foe." 
 
 After this a great dragon of war was made ready, and 
 one day Cuchulain stood upon the sands, the little dulling 
 edge of foam playing about his feet as he talked to Ferdia. 
 Thou shalt go back to Emain Macha," said 
 Cuchulain, " and there thou shalt recite all this matter to 
 the King and to my mother, and beg them, I pray thee, 
 if I come not back from this voyage, as well may happen, 
 to entreat my son kindly when he shall journey to the 
 Court in years to come." 
 
 Of all the great sea fights Cuchulain fought, and all his 
 prowess in far-off lands, and of his conquests at the 
 Olympic games, 1 have told in another place, so we must 
 leave him as he sets sail with his carles and shield mates, 
 while we journey with Ferdia to Emain Macha.
 
 136 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 THROUGH the years when Cuchulain was at the dun of 
 Skatha, and while he was away sailing the seas, the little 
 maid Deirdre, the daughter of Felim Mac Ball, whom it 
 will be remembered King Conor Mac Nessa had shut up 
 in a tower with his old nurse Levarcam until she should 
 be of a marriageable age for him to espouse her, was 
 growing to a beauteous womanhood, and naturally enough, 
 through years of the closest companionship, the old nurse 
 had grown to love her charge. 
 
 Years came and went, and the maid Deirdre had 
 looked on no man save Conor, and yet in her heart she 
 knew that the King was not the mate she would have 
 picked, had she been free to choose for herself. 
 
 Now about the time that Cuchulain set sail from the 
 Land of Shadows, a terrible snowstorm swept across the 
 Kingdom of Ulster, and looking out from the windows of 
 the tower one morning, Deirdre saw a great patch of blood, 
 where some animal had been slaughtered in the snow; as 
 she looked, a large black bird, probably a raven, or a 
 crow, flew out of the sky and settled by the bloody patch. 
 
 " Come hither, nurse," called Deirdre. 
 
 Levarcam came hobbling at the call, and, looking over 
 her mistress's shoulder, queried: " What is it, Sweet?" 
 
 " Look at the snow, the blood, and the bird, nurse, for 
 I think it is like them the man would be whom I should 
 wish to wed. His skin should be pure and white as the 
 driven snow, his hair black as the wing of the bird, but 
 the red of blood should form his lips and touch his cheeks. 
 Say, Levarcam, lives there such a man?" 
 
 Levarcam thought well before she answered, for she 
 loved the maid above aught else in the world, and would 
 not have her mated with an old man, such as Conor Mac 
 Nessa had grown to be, if she could have her way; and 
 thinking, she bethought her of Cuchulain's cousin Naisi,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 137 
 
 who held office in the Court of Emain Macha. At last 
 she spoke. 
 
 " Yea, child, there is such an one at the Court, for I 
 think that Naisi, son of Usna, fulfils all the conditions 
 thou layest down, moreover he is a good and upright 
 man, a staunch friend, a valiant fighter, yet very tender 
 withal to women and the old and feeble." 
 
 " Oh, nurse! couldst thou not bring this man among 
 men hither that I, who have never seen any man but 
 Conor, may look upon him?" 
 
 " The Light preserve us ! Deirdre, art not thou already 
 promised to the King, and would he not whip the head 
 from off me if he caught thee flighting and kiting with 
 another?" 
 
 " But, nurse, I only want just to look at him," pleaded 
 Deirdre, winding her arms about the old woman's neck. 
 
 " Nay, nay, dear, I daren't do it," the old woman said 
 firmly, and so the matter ended for that time, but Deirdre 
 was ever at her old nurse bothering and pestering her to 
 be allowed to see Naisi, until at last the old woman gave 
 in, and said she would see what could be done. 
 
 At first Naisi would have nothing to do with the matter, 
 but at last, overcome by an overwhelming curiosity to see 
 the King's affianced bride, he consented to go to the 
 tower one day when the King was away with his Court, 
 hunting. 
 
 When Naisi came to the tower Levarcam sent him out 
 through the courtyard into the high-fenced garden where 
 Deirdre was awaiting him. 
 
 Spring had come unusually early and the trees were 
 already rich with buds as the young man walked in the 
 garden, which seemed untenanted by anyone save himself; 
 then all in a moment he saw something stir among the 
 trees, and he was face to face with the maiden who 
 awaited him. His heart gave a great leap, and then 
 seemed to stand still at the wonder of her beauty. 
 
 As she faced him shyly, startled at his coming, he saw 
 that she was tall and slender, clad in a gown of virgin 
 white, with a rose-hued cloak about her shoulders; this 
 he saw subconsciously, for the witchery of her eyes, great
 
 138 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 soulful depths of blue set in a complexion all cream and 
 roses, caught and held him fast; wondrous eyes they 
 were, long and wide, deep-set under straight level brows., 
 and fringed with black lashes; her nose was straight and 
 clean-cut, and her lips, soft and tenderly moulded, seemed 
 made for kisses. 
 
 Her elegant little head crowned with raven tresses was 
 set on the loveliest full throat; her waist was round and 
 slender below her deep-bosomed chest and flat back, and 
 when she walked she moved regally like a goddess. 
 
 Naisi gave a gasp of wonder when first he saw her, and 
 then stood quite still, feasting his eyes and letting the 
 full glory of her saturate his senses. They stood thus 
 for a space, and then Naisi broke the silence. 
 
 " Levarcam told me thou wert lovely, but thou art 
 more than that, for thou art like a goddess, the most 
 wonderful She alive." 
 
 And then his mind went all abroad again as she smiled, 
 blushing rosily at his words. 
 
 ' Wilt thou not sit and talk with me awhile?" asked 
 Deirdre, " for it is lonely here within my garden, and 
 lonelier still inside the tower." 
 
 Seated in the shelter of the hedge they stayed and 
 talked awhile, Naisi telling her tales of the great world of 
 which she was as ignorant as a little child. At last he 
 rose. 
 
 ' ' I must go now ! ' ' 
 
 " But thou wilt come again and tell me other tales?" 
 she questioned eagerly. " Ah ! say thou wilt come again, 
 perchance to-morrow? " 
 
 " Aye, I'll come again," assented Naisi with eyes 
 averted, for already love had begun to grip him, and, 
 although he knew it not, never again would he break the 
 bonds while kisses were sweet and humanity human; for 
 love is life, for of love, life is born and love has power to 
 last beyond the grave long after life is done, and so long 
 as love holds true, neither the winnowing of Death's 
 pinions nor the coldness of the grave has power to desert 
 a lover or to mar the sweetness of kisses culled from the 
 warm softness of clinging lips.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 139 
 
 Thus in the garden on that day of early Spring were 
 the lines of fate cast and the hearts of these two young 
 people caught in thrall of each other; meeting followed 
 meeting and love grew apace, although no word of love 
 had as yet passed between them. 
 
 One day Deirdre asked : 
 
 " Naisi, if I asked a great boon of thee, say, wouldst 
 thou grant it?" 
 
 " I think, Deirdre, that thou knowest there is little 
 thou couldst ask which I would not do to pleasure thee." 
 ' Then take me away from here," she pleaded, "free 
 me from the necessity of marrying King Conor, for my 
 heart turns from this old man. Why should I, who am 
 young and, on your word, beautiful, spend all my youth 
 caged like an animal in this desolate place? Why should 
 I go to the King against my will as his wife with all the 
 joys of maidenhood untasted? Say, Naisi, what power 
 has appointed this fate for me that I should be reared 
 specially to wed a King, even if that King did save my 
 life when I was but a little babe? Better to have died 
 then, it seems to me, than to have been reared to woman- 
 hood but to be passed whither I would not go as a 
 common chattel or a beast of burden. I tell thee I hate 
 the life which lies ahead; rather would I live in a cave on 
 the hillside such as thou speakest of, than reign a Queen 
 by Conor's side ! I want to be free, free as the birds, 
 free as the air and running water, and to lie out among 
 the musty reek of dead leaves upon a bed of last year's 
 ferns when I so choose ! Ah, Naisi ! take me away 1 take 
 me away I ' ' 
 
 " My Deirdre, that may not be, for I am the King's 
 man, and how may I betray the lord to whom I have 
 sworn fealty with my hands between his hands ? Oh 1 ask 
 not this of mel" 
 
 So the matter passed for that time, but ever when they 
 met Deirdre pressed her request more urgently, until 
 Naisi was soon torn between desire to do his duty as he 
 saw it, and desire to satisfy his own and Deirdre 's 
 longings. 
 
 Then came a night when a great moon hung high in the
 
 140 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 heavens, sweet flowers scented the garden, and all the 
 world seemed full of the madness of love as these two 
 met, met in the garden and hand clasped hand in greeting; 
 but now the hands clasped and clung together as they 
 walked, and presently Deirdre drew Naisi's arm about 
 her shoulders, and, walking a half pace in front of him, 
 rested her head upon him, her hands crossed over his 
 hand upon her breast as they walked. All the sweet 
 fragrance of her hair mounted up to his brain. Presently 
 they came to a seat upon which they were wont to rest, 
 and by mutual impulse stopped. As they sank down 
 Deirdre turned about and placed her hands upon Naisi's 
 shoulders, looking up into his eyes with eyes of love. 
 
 " What ails us to-night my man o'men," she queried; 
 " has the moon caught all our senses, or do we see each 
 other with true eyes'?" 
 
 " This ails us, I think, Deirdre, that we can no longer 
 hide our love from each other, and this too, I think, that 
 I am very near to doing as thou dost wish and taking thee 
 away with me from this place for ever, if it were not that 
 I have sworn fealty to the King." 
 
 "And if thou hadst not sworn fealty, what then?" 
 whispered Deirdre, looking up with a glad, eager light in 
 her eyes, " if thou hadst not sworn fealty, Naisi? " 
 
 " If I had not sworn fealty!" cried Naisi, throwing 
 wide his arms in a wild gesture, " if I had not sworn 
 fealty ! Why, my dearest, I would come to thee here in 
 the garden, and I would say : ' Heart's delight, why do 
 we tarry here wasting the short life that the gods give us 
 on this earth? Life is short and of the Great Beyond we 
 are ignorant. Why then do we wait? To-morrow night, 
 when all the world's abed, thou shalt steal out from the 
 tower, out here into the garden, where I will be waiting 
 for thee, and over the fence the horses will be waiting with 
 my good brethren ready to help us on our journey or guard 
 our flight if need be. Then we will mount and ride very 
 swiftly, and all the broad world will be before us to choose 
 from, East, West, North or South, what matter, all our 
 lives are before us, naught for thee to dread or think of, 
 for two strong arms wait to fight for thee by day, to
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 141 
 
 guard thee always, and to cradle thy rest o 'nights. Come, 
 my love, let us away and ha' done with the old shams 
 and mockeries we have known ! ' That is what I would 
 say, beloved, if I had not sworn fealty to the King before 
 ever eyes of mine rested on thy glorious self." 
 
 " Ah, my love, my love!" sighed Deirdre, her arms 
 close about his neck, her lips almost touching his, " why 
 not say it now ? Life is short and we have only this one 
 life to live and find happiness or sorrow therein ! Happi- 
 ness awaits us, my dear; why not grasp it then with both 
 hands while the chance presents, why break two young 
 loving hearts for the sake of an old man who does not 
 care for Deirdre more than, nay nor so much as, his 
 favourite hound? See, there is no time to be wasted, we 
 fly to gain our happiness and Conor finds another wife 
 elsewhere, if indeed he seeks a wife at all. We need fly 
 but a little way to the first priest who will make us one 
 in his wayside temple, and then we can lie hid here or 
 over the water until the storm be o'er past and Conor is 
 ready to forgive us." 
 
 Thus very sweetly she pleaded. 
 
 She laid her head on his breast as he made no answer, 
 and then went on very softly murmuring almost to herself : 
 ' The night will come indeed, and why should we not 
 make it our own? I can steal out to thy waiting arms, 
 and thou wilt lift me tenderly into the saddle and then we 
 shall ride out and out into our future; the dawning day 
 shall bring us hope of life's dawn together I Ah, waste 
 not time in thought, my dear." 
 
 " Thou thou wouldst trust thyself to me, girsha? " 
 he questioned. " Thou know'st nothing of the world, 
 how dost thou know thou could'st be happy with me?" 
 
 She raised her head from his breast and her trusting 
 eyes looked straight into his eyes of honest grey. 
 
 " Listen, Naisi," she said, " the Sages say that children 
 and animals know by instinct whom they may trust; it is 
 further true, as thou thyself hast said, that all my days 
 have been spent within this tower and garden, and there- 
 fore my mind is the mind of a child, and my judgment 
 all unsullied by contact with worldly things, and I do
 
 142 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 trust thee with all my heart and soul. Moreover, though 
 I be but a child in knowledge, yet in heart and soul I 
 love thee with the love of a woman, and will cleave to 
 thee alone through good fortune and ill, until the fates 
 divorce our bodies in the grave mould." 
 
 And now Naisi rose up and walked alone in the moon- 
 light, up and down, up and down, hands clasped behind 
 his back, head bent, while he came to his decision. On 
 the bench sat Deirdre following him with eager, hungry 
 eyes, as he walked, for now she knew that her future 
 trembled in the balance, for once her lover's mind was 
 made up, neither tears nor curses, threats nor prayers 
 would turn his purpose. 
 
 High overhead in the sky hung the lovcr's-lamp the 
 moon calm and dispassionate, and yet powerful to make 
 or mar their lives. Would Naisi see her face in the face 
 of the moon, or only the stern visage of duty, wondered 
 Deirdre. Would that fickle Lady of the Night make him 
 gentle-sweet with tenderness of love, or would she suffuse 
 him with the coldness of her light, rendering him strong 
 as steel? 
 
 Naisi stopped short in his walk and gazed on the moon, 
 and then his chin sank into the palm of his hand as he 
 mused, staring at the ground. His head came up with a 
 jerk and he squared his shoulders as he strode back to 
 Deirdre, for the decision was made, and she, poor maid, 
 her heart fluttered like a caged bird in her breast and she 
 ceased to breathe, as, with hands caught to her mouth she 
 awaited the momentous word. At last it came; Naisi 
 stopped before her, took her face between his hands so 
 that they looked full into each other's eyes, and said : 
 
 " Deirdre, we go hence to-morrow, for if this deed is to 
 be done, it were better done soon, lest Conor have a 
 sudden inclination to marriage, and all our plans be 
 brought to naught." 
 
 " It shall be as thou wilt, Beloved, so that thou but 
 takest me away from here to dwell with thee." 
 
 Naisi seated himself and spoke again. 
 
 " Listen then, for this is my plan, but thou shalt tell
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 143 
 
 me if thou hast a better; if not we must abide my rede, 
 for time presses and the space for plotting is all too short. 
 
 " This is my thought, that to-morrow thou shalt feign 
 a sickness which will give an excuse for Levarcam to be in 
 thy chamber all day, preparing for the journey, for 
 Levarcam goes with us ; then she shall give it out that the 
 tower is to be kept quiet that thy rest be not disturbed, 
 so the serving men and women, having naught else to do, 
 will betake themselves early to bed and thou may'st 
 safely steal out by midnight, then come straight to the 
 bench, and I will be waiting." 
 
 " But whither go we from here, and how may we win 
 clear?" asked Deirdre. 
 
 ' ' I know not altogether of that matter yet until I have 
 had speech of my brothers, Ainl6 and Ardan, but it is my 
 thought that we should make our way past Ard Macha 
 due North to the waters of the inland sea, and there we 
 will lie hid for many weeks with old Levarcam, while my 
 brothers, travelling by night and hiding by day, with all 
 the horses lead the chase away from us even to the SI. 
 Snaght, where, loosing the horses in those hills, they 
 shall journey East and meet us by the Causeway, whence 
 we can take boat to the land of the Picts, where I hear 
 there is much fighting and profitable service for good 
 soldiers." 
 
 Thus, then, was the matter set, and thus indeed did 
 they escape in due course, Ainl and Ardan travelling with 
 them and the brethren taking service together under the 
 Pictish King, whom they served faithfully and well, daring 
 many mighty deeds in his quarrels; but time came when 
 this King first saw Deirdre. Now he was a foul and 
 lustful man, nor did it trouble him that the object of his 
 desires was the wife of one of his best soldiers; sufficient 
 was it that he, the King of the Picts, did so desire this 
 woman. For this cause the brethren were forced to fly 
 again, taking Deirdre with them. Long enough they 
 wandered until at last they founded a little colony of 
 outland men in Glen Etive at the South-western end of 
 the Grampian Mountains. 
 
 All through the years that had passed King Conor Mac
 
 144 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Nessa had made no sign, nor could Fergus Mae Eoy, 
 Naisi's bosom friend, send him any word except that the 
 King seemed to have forgotten Deirdre altogether. But 
 the King had not forgotten, indeed his spies in Scotland 
 constantly told him of the wanderings and whereabouts 
 of Deirdre and the brethren. 
 
 One day at the Court of Emain Macha the King turned 
 and spoke to Fergus his champion. 
 
 " Fergus, it seems to me that the sons of Usna must be 
 tired of wandering in strange lands, and with Cuchulain 
 too away, the true breed of the Eed Branch is strangely 
 absent from our Court; therefore it is my thought, 
 to send thee to Scotland, where I hear the sons of Usna 
 are, and to bid them return to our Court, bringing with 
 them Deirdre, and all shall be forgiven and forgotten." 
 
 Now Fergus was overjoyed at this saying, for greatly he 
 loved Naisi; moreover, all the brothers were glad to hear 
 that their exile was over when at last Fergus Mac Eoy 
 found them in their glen, for secretly they greatly longed 
 to be back in Ireland among their own people. But 
 Deirdre was not pleased, for her woman's heart misgave 
 her of the business, nor did she hesitate to say so, and 
 this was the cause of the first and only quarrel between 
 those twain who had gone gladly into exile together. 
 
 " I tell thee, Naisi," said she, " that thou art a fool to 
 be beguiled back to Emain Macha by lying promises." 
 
 " Woman, dost dare to say that Fergus, my beloved 
 shield mate through all the years, is a liar?" asked Naisi 
 fiercely. 
 
 " Nay, my husband, keep thy temper cool; Fergus is 
 doubtless a true man and a well-meaning, but I mistrust 
 Conor; think, is it natural that he should welcome the 
 hands that have robbed him and put shame upon him by 
 carrying off his affianced bride? More than that, remem- 
 ber, he not only offers a welcome, but goes further and 
 sends his own King's champion to extend it as he would 
 to a reigning monarch of equal standing with himself. 
 No, Naisi ! and thou, my dear brothers, be persuaded of 
 me and let us bide here in simple happiness." 
 
 Then Ardan, the youngest of the three brethren, spoke :
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 145 
 
 " It seems to me that that which Deirdre saith may 
 well be true, and yet she hath not thought out all this 
 matter, for if we journey to Emain Macha, our fighting 
 tail from here go with us, and more than all, we travel 
 under the safeguard of Fergus, which no King dare 
 violate." 
 
 ' Yes," added Amle", "that is true, and also Fergus 
 hath told us that his sons Illan the Fair and Buino the 
 Red will meet us, when we land, with all his following to 
 escort us to Emain Macha, wherefore it seems to me that 
 we may go safely, fearing nothing." 
 
 In this way was Deirdre over-ruled, but still she and 
 the faithful old nurse Levarcam thought ill of the enter- 
 prise. 
 
 All that the brethren had said was perfectly true, for 
 even King Conor Mac Nessa dared not molest them while 
 Fergus had them in charge; but the King was a guileful 
 man, and right craftily he laid his plans. Conall of the 
 Victories, a great and upright man, he sent on an errand 
 to Curoi, King of Munster, and when he had gone, 
 despatched his own personal attendant Trendorn to 
 summon to his presence the Chieftain Baruch, whose dun 
 was close to the place of landing, and to him he unfolded 
 his plan, knowing him to be an ancient enemy of Usna 
 the father of Naisi, Ainle" and Ardan. Moreover, he 
 remembered that it was geise for Fergus to refuse a feast, 
 and on this he based his plans to separate Fergus from 
 his charges. 
 
 When the wanderers landed in Ireland, Baruch met 
 them on the strand and gave them welcome. 
 
 " Fergus," said he, " this night shalt thou lie at my 
 dun, for a feast is prepared for thee within." 
 
 ' This may not be, Baruch," answered Fergus, " for I 
 have the King's command to bear Deirdre and the sons 
 of Usna safely to Emain Macha." 
 
 " None the less it is my thought that thou wilt stay, 
 for thy sons are here to perform thy office and execute 
 the King's command; moreover it is geise for thee to 
 refuse a feast, Fergus." 
 
 I
 
 146 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 So Fergus stayed, and all that company journeyed on 
 under the command of Ulan and Buino his sons. 
 
 Arrived at Emain Maeha, the King's guard was drawn 
 up to meet the company and escort them to their quarters 
 in the Bed Branch Hostel, to which they were led by 
 Trendorn, the King's body servant; but the King did not 
 meet them, for he sat within his hall sullenly drinking 
 cup after cup and waiting for Trendorn to bring Levarcam 
 before him as he had been ordered to do. 
 
 Presently the aged nurse came leaning on a stick and 
 peering about with half-sightless eyes, for she was very 
 old. 
 
 " Well, thou ancient hag," snarled Conor, " so thou 
 hast come back, thou who could'st not stay faithful even 
 to the child thou did'st nurse. 
 
 " Now tell me, what of the sons of Usna?" 
 
 " The sons of Usna are here, oh King," answered 
 Levarcam, " three valiant men, none like them served the 
 King of the Picts, and methinks the King who has them 
 in his train need fear no foe." Thus did the old woman 
 strive to influence the King's mind well towards those 
 with whom she had lived so long. 
 
 " And what of Deirdre, woman?" came the next 
 question. 
 
 " Deirdre is here, and well, oh King, but not the maid 
 thou knew'st, for she hath grown thin amidst the Scottish 
 mists ; moreover the wild life by wood and hill hath aged 
 her much, and care drawn lines on her erstwhile fair 
 countenance, so that now she is like a pricked bladder, 
 or a fair skin drained dry of wine." 
 
 This tale she told as she had arranged with Deirdre to 
 do before they left the Glen Etive, if she should be 
 questioned. . 
 
 For awhile Conor sat drinking and musing on these 
 sayings, and then he bade Trendorn take the old woman 
 away, but on no account to let her return that night to 
 the Eed Branch Hostel, and at this Levarcam feared 
 greatly. 
 
 Meantime, while Conor was questioning Levarcam, 
 supper had been served in the Hostel and was now
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 147 
 
 finished for the night; the men-at-arms still sat around 
 the tables talking and drinking, and at the high seat run- 
 ning crosswise of the hall sat Ainle" and Ardan, listening 
 to all the tales Ulan and Buino poured into their ears of 
 that which had happened at the Court during their 
 absence, but Naisi and Deirdre were not with them, for 
 they had already retired to an upper chamber, where they 
 sat playing chess, as had been their custom when they 
 dwelt in the Glen Etive and time had hung heavily on 
 their hands. 
 
 After a while Ulan, the elder of the sons of Fergus, rose 
 from the table saying he must make the round of the 
 sentries as the guard was now set for the night; when he 
 came to the great gate, he found the sentry in converse 
 with Trendorn. 
 
 " Well, fellow, what dost want?" asked Illan. 
 
 " This, Lord," said Trendorn, " to see Deirdre for a 
 moment, for Levarcam, her old nurse, hath been of a 
 sudden stricken with illness and would see her mistress, 
 for she is like to die." 
 
 Now Illan saw Conor's hand in this and did not believe 
 the tale, wherefore he said to Trendorn : 
 
 11 None come in or go out of the Hostel this night, 
 neither doth Deirdre leave my charge until my father 
 comes to see her safely and honourably disposed under 
 the King's shadow." 
 
 At this saying Trendorn 's eyes blazed with anger, for 
 he had the King's command to get Deirdre alone to the 
 Court if he could, or failing that, at all costs to get sight 
 of her and report as to the truth of the tale Levarcam had 
 told. It was now certain that he would not get into the 
 Hostel that night, for Illan stayed to see him well clear 
 of the place, but Trendorn did not go far. Once without 
 the circle of light thrown by the great guard lantern which 
 hung and guttered in the gateway, he stopped, and, 
 leaning against a tree looked up at the Hostel set upon 
 its mound. For a long time he stood thus thinking, and 
 subconsciously his eyes fixed themselves on a lighted 
 window, as the eyes are bound to do when light shines 
 out through the darkness; and as he looked he wondered
 
 148 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 who might be within the room, and wondering, fetched a 
 ladder that would enable him to look through the window 
 and satisfy his curiosity. 
 
 Alone in the chamber Deirdre and Naisi sat playing 
 their game of chess, heads bent over the board as the 
 moves were worked out with deep thought. To them 
 entered a serving maid bearing a tray of wine and cakes, 
 but as she pushed aside the curtain across the portal and 
 entered, her gaze was arrested by a fierce white face with 
 starting eyeballs glaring in through the window. With a 
 scream she let fall the tray and stood stock still with arm 
 outstretched pointing to the casement. At the cry and 
 the crash of the falling tray the chess players sprang to 
 their feet, their eyes following the pointing finger. 
 Deirdre stood like one frozen, her head turned back over 
 her shoulder, but Naisi reached out his hand, and feeling 
 it rest upon the White King on the chess-board, he picked 
 up the piece and hurled it with all his might at that 
 malignant face. 
 
 With a horrid scream the face vanished as if an unseen 
 hand had jerked the man violently from his perch; on top 
 of the scream came the crash of a falling body followed by 
 the sound of running feet. 
 
 " That one is gone at any rate," said Naisi, " but I am 
 greatly feared that thou wert right, Deirdre, and we had 
 done better to stop in Glen Etive, where, at all events, 
 we were free and not spied upon in our privacy." 
 
 " That which is written, comes, husband," said Deirdre 
 sadly, " but I fear that we shall lie in each other's arms 
 no more, for in the maiming of his body servant, for the 
 face at the window was that of him who brought us hither, 
 Conor may find excuse to work his will upon us. Before 
 the Light shines again many shall go beyond the Light to 
 dwell with the Heroes, carried hence on waves of blood." 
 
 Naisi turned to the serving maid, who still stood within 
 the portal as one dazed. 
 
 " Go to the hall, woman, and bid Ulan, Buino and my 
 brothers come hither." 
 
 When the sons of Fergus and his brethren came, Naisi 
 told them of the happening, that they should be prepared
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 149 
 
 for aught that might chance, after which the sons of 
 Fergus returned to the hall, but his brothers Naisi kept 
 with him, saying : 
 
 We are under the protection of Fergus Mac Boy, and 
 it would cast a slur upon his honour and that of his sons, 
 should we appear to take any part in this matter; also 
 those of our men who are within the hall must be with- 
 drawn. Thou, Ardan, go and take them behind the 
 hostel to the rising mound by the door where the river 
 flows by on the one side and the ground slopes away 
 sharply on the other. On no account must thou move 
 from that place until we come to thee, for if things run 
 amiss, it is there that we will make our last stand." 
 
 Into the room where King Conor Mac Nessa sat, still 
 drinking sullenly, burst Trendorn the spy, a horrible sight 
 with his bloody face and one eye burst from its socket, 
 where the chess-man had struck him. 
 
 The King laughed cruelly at the sight, but Trendorn 
 did not heed as he cried out : 
 
 " I have looked upon her, oh King, and but that Naisi 
 hath struck out my eye, even now had I been gazing on 
 the loveliest woman in the world." 
 
 At this Conor sprang to his feet shouting for his guards. 
 
 " So," he muttered, " that old hag lied to me after 
 all," and then turning to the Captain of the Guard he 
 commanded, " Go thou to the Bed Branch Hostel and 
 demand of the sons of Fergus that they deliver up to me 
 Naisi, Ainl6 and Ardan, charged with maiming my mes- 
 senger. If they will not deliver them up, then take the 
 sons of Usna by force and hale them before me." 
 
 The Captain saluted and went with his men to the Red 
 Branch Hostel, demanding audience of Illan and Buino. 
 
 " Deliver up to me the sons of Usna," said he, " for 
 they have maimed and shamefully illused the messenger 
 of the King, and to the King must they answer for it." 
 
 "Ho, ho!" laughed Illan, "what sort of messenger 
 was this, who, being refused entrance by the door, tried 
 to creep in like a thief through the window ? Go back to 
 King Conor Mac Nessa and say that- the sons of Fergus 
 Mac Roy deliver not up the sons of Usna nor Deirdre,
 
 150 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 the wife of Naisi, to any man until their father comes from 
 the dun of Baruch on the morrow." 
 
 Now the Captain of the Guard was a crafty man, and 
 as he went he whispered certain words to the Captain of 
 the Gate who was in Conor's pay, that he should let them 
 into the Hostel at a pre-arranged signal. Then he went 
 back to the King bearing his message, while the sons of 
 Fergus returned to the hall, where they sat down again 
 on the high seat. 
 
 Nothing happens for a while, and then suddenly without 
 warning armed men burst into the hall led by the sons 
 of Conor, Princes of the Eed Branch. In a moment the 
 fight is fierce; Illan and Buino leap down from the high 
 seat as the great table running along the length of the 
 hall is overturned. In the first rush the fire is scattered 
 and the blue bitter smoke of wood begins to fill the 
 room; stools and chairs are broken and benches lie scat- 
 tered about the floor ready to trip the feet of the unwary. 
 
 The smoke swirls and the ashes dance in the air as the 
 attackers press on over the fallen benches, shouting as 
 they come, to where the fighting tail of Fergus Mac Boy 
 stand behind the overturned table, their backs to the wall, 
 prepared to sell their lives dearly. 
 
 The attackers press on, but the long swords of Fergus' 
 men rise and fall, keeping clear the space in front of 
 them; the fight seems to last for hours in the smoke- 
 dimmed hall. Illan is fighting fiercely with an axe, until 
 presently his hands are lopped off on the edge of the table 
 by Conor's eldest son, and the younger hacks his head 
 from his body as he falls. At this a great shout goes up 
 as the attackers run up and down in front of the table, 
 striking as opportunity serves. Then they fall back as 
 the King himself pushes forward through the press. 
 
 " Ho ! is this the way thou dost obey thy King's 
 commands, sons of Fergus?" shouts Conor. 
 
 " We hear the King and we obey," replies Buino, " BO 
 long as those commands touch not the honour of our 
 father or ourselves; but Illan, alas, is sped, so thou must 
 treat with me alone, Conor." 
 
 At this word " treat," the King smiles, and then he
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 151 
 
 shouts to his men urging them on. The floor shakes under 
 the rush of their feet, they leap upon the table but are 
 hurled back or pulled down and butchered in the gloom 
 on the floor between the table and the wall. They draw 
 off, but fresh troops pour in through the doors and 
 windows; the fight closes in again, the leather jerkins 
 creaking above the heaving breasts of the tired defenders, 
 and steel falls on armour with rhythmic unceasing clang. 
 The edge of the table is all cumbered with the corpses 
 that lie across it, shifting weirdly as the thirsty, unheeding 
 swords, powerless to harm them further, fall upon them 
 from time to time. Still the tight goes on, wood splin- 
 tering to the crashing fall of the axes as strokes are 
 missed or turned aside; many of the torches have been 
 knocked from their sconces around the walls and the 
 place is almost in darkness. 
 
 At last the King cries: " Hold! thou didst speak not 
 long since of my treating with thee, Buino; come out 
 therefore and we will consider this matter, for my arm 
 grows weary of slaughter." 
 
 All the while this fight had been raging in the hall, 
 Naisi sat quietly overhead making a pretence at playing 
 chess with his wife, although his hands itched for the 
 fray, and Ainle" moved discontentedly about the chamber, 
 drawing a sharp breath and feeling for his sword each 
 time the sounds of combat rose higher. At last the 
 tumult of battle ceased altogether. Presently an aged 
 warrior, who had fought in Fergus' following all his days, 
 crept to the door, smothered from head to foot with blood 
 his own and others, for he had sent many souls on the 
 long road that night and was himself bleeding from a 
 dozen wounds. 
 
 " What news?" demanded Naisi, springing up and 
 oversetting the table in his eagerness. 
 
 " 111 news for thee, Lord! lllan the Fair is sped and 
 Buino the Red makes terms with Conor; of Fergus' fol- 
 lowing but few remain; there is no escape, for the Hostel 
 is ringed round with the King's men, all save the Boy 
 Corps of Emain Macha, who it is said will have no hand 
 in the matter, holding the King shamed as an oath-
 
 152 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 breaker; also Conor knows that thou art above, Lord, and 
 has set a guard at the stair foot, holding that he has thee 
 like a rat in a trap ! ' ' 
 
 And now they seemed in evil case indeed, but Deirdre 
 bethought her of the ladder by means of which Trendorn, 
 the King's body servant, had spied upon them. 
 
 " The ladder, Naisi," she cried, " quick t the ladder; 
 let us climb down to Ardan and our own men." 
 
 First Amle" crept through the window down the ladder 
 and stood guard at the foot, while Deirdre descended, and 
 then came Naisi, carrying the wounded man over his 
 shoulder. Him they laid down in a safe place, and then 
 together stole round under shelter of the bushes, which 
 surrounded the Hostel, to where Ardau and their men 
 were assembled. Here they waited, nor had they long 
 to wait, for a cry of rage soon told them that the 
 attackers had searched the upper chambers and found tha 
 prey had flown. 
 
 Ardan had caused the door behind them to be blocked 
 with great boulders, so their rear was safe. Now Naisi 
 formed his men into a double half -circle, their left resting 
 on the swiftly flowing river by which it was protected, 
 and their right against the Hostel wall where the ground 
 fell steeply away. Deirdre they placed in the centre of 
 the ring, while the brethren, armed with axes, took their 
 stand in the forefront of the semi-circle. 
 
 Soon King Conor came into sight on the other bank 
 of the river and saw those two frail lines awaiting him, 
 perhaps a hundred men against the three hundred who 
 backed him. For a moment his followers regarded the 
 ring of death in silence; then up the mound surged the 
 charge, the battle joining on the crest with an impact 
 like waves beating on a rock-bound shore. For a moment 
 the opposing lines held fast, locked in a deathly embrace 
 as the soldiers hewed and hacked at each other, breast 
 to breast, and above the din of battle, the triple sound of 
 the axes of the brethren falling, can be heard, and there 
 is something unnatural, awesome about blows falling so 
 fast, for the sons of Usna were mighty champions with 
 wondrous skill at arms.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 153 
 
 The double ring bends inwards and then expands again 
 as the foeinen are Hung back like spume where the waves 
 have beaten out their lorce on unyielding rock. And now 
 the tight hangs m issue ; Naisi sees the new attack gather- 
 ing, and with a shout heaves up his axe. 
 
 ".Follow, comrades, follow 1" he yells; "death or 
 victory waits." 
 
 Usna, Usna!" roar his brethren as they leap forward 
 at his side, and behind them charge the tierce Irishmen 
 and Ticts who made their fighting tail. 
 
 Before that charge the men of Conor broke and fled, 
 and then the victors came back to where Deirdre was 
 standing watching by the door, perhaps thirty of them all 
 told, bloody, weary, and wounded, but with the light of 
 victory in their eyes. 
 
 What now, brother?" queries Ardan as he looks at 
 Naisi; "we cannot break through, or, breaking through, 
 have no place of safety to which to fly." 
 
 " Do \ve fight here to the death, brother?" asks Aml6. 
 
 " Here we fight until the end," says Naisi; " the fight 
 has been good, and death ends all in sleep." 
 
 At this saying the wild men cheered and said they 
 were ready to die for such leaders, and that the lady 
 Deirdre should not fall into the hands of Conor Mac 
 Nessa alive. 
 
 And while they waited and looked down on the mound 
 by Creeveroe's bloody gate, Conor was making a plan, 
 but whether, as some say, he induced Cathbad the Druid 
 to call up a sea of slime by his magic arts, or whether he 
 dammed the river, I know not, but presently the muddy 
 waters began to rise until they swirled about the legs of 
 the waiting thirty, and it seemed that the slime entangled 
 their feet, so that no man could move from where he 
 Ktood ; but Naisi, casting away his axe, caught Deirdre up 
 and held her aloft on his shoulder with his left hand, while 
 in his right there flashed a short sword. 
 
 Then there happened a wonderful thing, for although 
 the thirty could not move their legs, the soldiers of Emain 
 Macha walked unhindered through the flood while Cathbad 
 stood afar off with arms outstretched, and there they
 
 154 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 butchered all that company until the place looked like a 
 shambles; but the sons of Usna they would not touch, 
 holding them to be brave men who should be allowed to 
 go free for their deeds' sake So Conor bade take and 
 bind them, swearing a terrible oath by the Light above 
 him that no hurt should befall them. Thus it was done, 
 and the sons of Usna were carried to the Court of Emain 
 Macha, but Deirdre clung to ISlaisi, nor would the soldiers 
 tear her from him by force, as Conor ordered. 
 
 Into the great hall of Emain Macha, where the high 
 feasts were held and justice dealt, the prisoners were 
 carried. Conor dismissed the guards and servants, keep- 
 ing only certain of his nobles with him. Turning to his 
 sons he said : " Come, strike off the heads of these men 
 and let us end the matter." 
 
 " This we will not do, Sire!" the elder boy answered 
 boldly. " This night we have slain Ulan the Fair, our 
 friend, in honest fight at thy command, but we soil not 
 our blades with the blood of helpless prisoners." 
 
 " Buino," said the King, " do thou the work; thou 
 hast been well paid to betray them. What price dost 
 ask to slay them?" 
 
 But even Buino the traitor would not do this shameful 
 deed. 
 
 Then the King called upon noble after noble to dispatch 
 the sons of Usna and make an end, but all refused to obey 
 him; indeed one scarred old warrior of many fights told 
 Conor straight to his face that he had done ill to break 
 his oath once already, and evil would come of it, and none 
 of them would aid him to break his word a second time. 
 
 At last the King bethought him of the Prince of Ferney, 
 and because this prince was an evil liver and a loose man, 
 the King sent for him to do the deed. 
 
 " Owen Mac Darucht," said he " wilt thou slay me 
 these three rebels?" 
 
 "Aye, Lordl" growled Owen, "a service for a ser- 
 vice. I pay court to the maid Emer, and if thou wilt 
 forward and aid my suit, then will I strike off the heads 
 of Naisi and his brothers." 
 
 On this King Conor pondered deeply, for he knew that
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 155 
 
 Cuchulain sought to wed with Forgall's daughter, but 
 knowing Cuchulain's tale from Ferdia's lips he found 
 ground for forsaking the absent hero. Anyway, 
 Cuchulain was over seas and might not return, but Naisi 
 and his brethren were here, and once let free would rouse 
 the land on him, so he at last agreed to Owen's condition, 
 whereat Owen went over to where Naisi lay bound, and 
 stooping over he dragged the sword from its sheath at the 
 bound man's side; but Deirdre, seeing his purpose, flung 
 herself upon her husband's breast, covering his prostrate 
 body with her own. Owen spurned her aside with his 
 foot and swiftly cut off the head of Naisi, and then those 
 of his two brothers, while the King picked up the swoon- 
 ing Deirdre and carried her into his chamber. 
 
 Next morning Fergus Mac Roy rode in just before noon 
 from the dun of Baruch; everything seemed strangely 
 quiet in the precincts of the King's house ; those he met 
 greeted him hurriedly and walked away a though anxious 
 to avoid conversation. Much perturbed at this strange 
 welcome, he dismounted and threw his reins to a horse- 
 boy who came up to take his animal. Walking into the 
 great hall, usually thronged with chiefs and nobles at this 
 hour, he found it absolutely empty, and then as he paused 
 to see if anyone would come, he came face to face with 
 Ferdia entering through the door leading from the King's 
 apartments. 
 
 Ferdia had not long since ridden in from his home, and 
 now his cheeks flamed and his eyes flashed as he slapped 
 his leg with his whip and muttered savage curses under 
 his breath. 
 
 " How now, Ferdia?" called Fergus. " Thou seemest 
 out of temper this bright morning." 
 
 " Out of temper is it?" cried Ferdia. " Where are ye, 
 Fergus? Here am I back at Court to greet Cuchulain, 
 who returns to-day, and Conor, the black curse on him, 
 has brought the worse shame on us all." 
 
 " Have a care, Ferdia; how thou dost curse the King 
 in my presence, for remember I am King's champion 
 still." 
 
 " King's champion are ye," laughed Ferdia bitterly.
 
 156 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 ' Well, it is my thought that the office will soon be vacant, 
 for long have I known Fergus, but never known him 
 niddering, and that thou shalt be called, Fergus, if thou 
 too dost share this shame." 
 
 " Come, come, lad, tell me the trouble," said Fergus 
 kindly; " perchance 'tis not so ill but we can mend it 
 between us." 
 
 " Mend it, is it? Well, perchance thou may'st if 
 canst work miracles and make the dead arise, for know, 
 the sons of Usna are dead, Deirdre made a wanton by the 
 King, and of thy sons, one is dead and the other a 
 traitor, having betrayed his trust for a grant of great 
 lands and many cattle from the King's hand." 
 
 " Now by the blood of sacrifice," shouted Fergus, 
 " thou art surely mad, for such things cannot be, or if 
 all else be true yet could mine own flesh and blood never 
 prove false to a trust." 
 
 " Yet it is true, Fergus, and Buino is that traitor's 
 name." And then Ferdia set out all the doings of 
 yesternight as he had heard them from those who were 
 present but who would have naught to do with the slaying 
 of the sons of Usna. 
 
 "Let us go hence," said Fergus wearily, "and pre- 
 sently I will speak with this King who sits upon the 
 throne which is mine by right; but first we will eat and 
 array ourselves to come before the King when he sits at 
 the hour of justice in the great hall." 
 
 Throughout that day Fergus and Ferdia sought every- 
 where for Conall of the Victories, but they did not find 
 him, for as has already been told, he had been sent on a 
 mission to Curoi, King of Munster, on which he would be 
 absent many days. When the afternoon wore away to 
 the evening and the hour of justice, the hour at which the 
 men returned from the day's work, approached, these two 
 put on their battle armour, and taking with them their 
 weapons of war, went to the great hall. When they 
 entered, the full Court was assembled. The King was 
 seated in the Chair of Sentence, Cathbad the Druid was 
 on his right, and the executioners knelt on either side at 
 his feet. Chieftains were ranged in a semi-circle behind
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 157 
 
 him. In the body of the hall the people were assembled 
 to hear the cases, and by the door in groups stood those 
 who sought the King's justice, a large concourse, for 
 Conor Mac Nessa, whatever his faults may have been, 
 was a just and famous lawgiver. 
 
 The King looked up as the new-comers entered, 
 saying : 
 
 ' Welcome, Fergus, take thy stand in the champion's 
 place behind my chair." 
 
 " Not yet, oh King," answered Fergus. ' What of 
 the sons of Usna, and what of Deirdre, Naisi's wife? For 
 strange tales have come to me of thy dealings with those 
 who were placed in my charge, and who committed them- 
 selves into my care under thy safe-conduct." 
 
 " What is this to thee, Fergus? I exercise the High 
 Justice and the Low, and over all I hold the law of Life 
 and Death. Those who were committed to thy care thou 
 didst desert and they passed into my hands to do with 
 as I chose. Say, Fergus, art satisfied?" 
 
 " No! by the blood," thundered Fergus, "for now I 
 hold thee no right King any longer, but a forsworn man, 
 an oath breaker, a stealer of other men's wives; niddering, 
 I name thee, Conor Mac Nessa, for thou did'st fail to 
 take the sons of Usna in fair fight, but first did'st bribe 
 my son, on whom be the black curse; may the black 
 blight fall upon him and rot his bones; may he neither 
 eat at board nor lie in bed; may his heart bleed drop by 
 drop in his breast with never a one to comfort him ; may 
 he beg his bread from door to door and die at last in a 
 ditch like the dog he is ; and may the black curse fall upon 
 thee too, King Conor, and thy brain rot within its dwell- 
 ing or swell until at last it bursts out, for not only did'st 
 thou bribe Buino to shame, but after, when thy men 
 prevailed not against the might of the brethren, thou 
 did'st take them by a trick, having sworn no ill should 
 befall them, and at the last, fearing to slay them with 
 thine own hand, did'st make a shameless pact with Owen 
 to do the deed unthinkable. But wait, Conor, wait, 
 Cuchulain comes, and meantime I go to raise fire and the 
 sword of vengeance."
 
 158 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " Aye ! and I go with thee !" cried Ferdia. 
 
 " Kill me these men, or take them living for the tor- 
 ture, I care not which," screamed Conor, rising up with 
 arm outstretched, his visage black with rage. 
 
 Fergus and Ferdia ripped out their swords and stood on 
 guard with shields up, in the centre of the hall just where 
 the light struck full upon them. Now some cried one 
 thing and some another, but still none came on to take 
 the twain, although swords were out and up on every side. 
 
 " Obey my orders, fools," raved the King, and still no 
 man moved except the two, who moved slowly back to 
 back down the hall, and out by the door, and just as they 
 passed out the King seized a javelin from the hand of a 
 soldier and hurled it at them so that it stood quivering in 
 the lintel of the door; but only a mocking laugh came 
 from without the portal as the two mounted their horses 
 and rode away to seek fresh service and to raise that 
 sword of vengeance of which Fergus had spoken.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 159 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 Now Cuchulain came not to Ireland that year, as had 
 been expected, for it chanced that bis ship was driven out 
 of its course by a mighty storm and wrecked upon an 
 unfriendly shore, where the hero was made prisoner with 
 all his men, and dwelt in captivity for a full year. 
 
 During that year in which Cuchulain lay in bondage 
 things went not well in Ireland, for Owen urged his suit 
 continually upon Emer, and Forgall was bought over to 
 sink the blood feud he held with the Red Branch House 
 and to give his consent by a promise of great gifts from 
 the King, to be made on the day the wedding should be 
 celebrated. Moreover, Owen had a boon companion 
 named Lewey, son of Curoi King of Munster, and he it 
 was who poured tales into Emer's ear of Cuchulain's 
 dealings with Aifa, for he had been at the dun of Skatha 
 when that matter befell; and he hated Cuchulain, being 
 jealous of him. Thus was Emer's mind poisoned against 
 her lover, but as yet she would not consent to the wedding 
 with Owen, although each day she was importuned on 
 every side to agree. 
 
 Meantime Conall of the Victories had been sent 
 a'Viking over seas while Fergus and Ferdia had ridden 
 South into Munster to try to raise Curoi and his men 
 against Conor Mac Nessa, but Curoi would have naught 
 to do with the matter, saying the quarrels and feuds of 
 the North were no affair of his; but the real reason he 
 refused was because he knew his son Lewey to be 
 Cuchulaiu's foe. So Fergus and his companion rode 
 North again to Rathcrogan,* where Ailell lived with Maev 
 his wife, ruling over all the land of Connacht. t 
 
 And there they were made welcome, for Maev, who 
 
 Rathcrogan is in Roscommon. 
 t Now known as Connaught.
 
 160 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 ruled her husband, and through him the land, cared naught 
 for Ailell but ever sought fresh lovers, and in the mighty 
 champion Fergus Mac Boy she foresaw fresh conquest, 
 nor did Fergus hesitate to play that part too, to further 
 his own ends. 
 
 At this time it happened that Ailell and Maev had had 
 a great quarrel as to the merits of their respective herds 
 of cattle. 
 
 " At least," said Ailell, " I have the famous bull 
 Finnebach, who has never yet stayed in the possession of 
 a woman." 
 
 " Mac Both," said Maev to her steward, " is Finnebach 
 indeed the most wonderful bull in the world?" 
 
 " Almost, lady, but not quite," replied Mac Both, " for 
 there is the Brown Bull of Quelgny which I consider to 
 be an infinitely better animal." 
 
 Maev said no more at that time, but she caused enquiry 
 to be made as to the whereabouts of this wonderful beast, 
 and resolved in her own mind to possess herself of him by 
 fair means or foul. It mattered little to her which, for 
 Queen Maev was a strange, wild woman, acknowledging 
 no will but her own, and no need but her desires. ' In 
 person she was tall and fierce-looking, with a long, pale 
 face and a mass of yellow hair above fierce, steely-grey 
 eyes. Terrible tales were told of her treatment of 
 disobedient slaves. 
 
 Having recently heard that the Brown Bull was to be 
 found in Ulster in the hands of Dara Mac Fachtria, Maev 
 was inclined at first to view the advent of two Ulstermen 
 at her Court with some suspicion, but on learning their 
 errand she welcomed them openly and straightway began 
 to question Fergus as to the Brown Bull, and he told her 
 that indeed it belonged to Dara and was still at Quelgny,* 
 but he also told her of the wonderful might of the Ulster- 
 men in war, and pointed out that it would be useless for 
 her to go up to take the Brown Bull if she was supported 
 only by the Connacht men. Maev freely acknowledged 
 this, and BO she sent envoys of peace to Dara Mac 
 
 * Quelgny is in County Down.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 161 
 
 Fachtria asking him to lend her the beast for one year, 
 in payment of the Bull's services she was willing to give 
 to Dara fifty-five heifers which he himself should choose 
 from her herd, and she bade the messengers make a 
 solemn promise to return the beast to him at the end of 
 the year. In case this proposition should not please Dara 
 she bade the envoys tell him as an alternative that she 
 would give to him an estate and lands equal to his 
 holding in Ulster, together with a chariot worth the price 
 of a score or more women slaves if he would come to 
 Connacht to dwell under the cloak of her protection, and 
 allow the Brown Bull to pasture with her herds. 
 
 One of these offers Dara would surely have accepted, in 
 which case Fergus' plans would have been brought to 
 naught, but Fergus knew Dara for a proud and stubborn 
 man, and, to prevent him accepting Maev's overtures, he 
 sent a trusty serving man of his own to Quelgny, bidding 
 him urge Dara to accept Maev's offer lest a worse thing 
 befall, as it was well know r n at the Court of Eathcrogan 
 that Maev would raise her host and take the bull by force 
 should Dara be foolish enough to refuse to lend it or to 
 come himself and dwell in Connacht. 
 
 In this way did Fergus frustrate the hopes of Queen 
 Maev, for, as he had anticipated, Dara, who had at first 
 entertained the envoys and accepted their advances well, 
 saying that he would give an answer which he trusted 
 would please them in a month's time, dismissed the men 
 of Connacht directly he received Fergus' message, bidding 
 them say to their mistress that the Brown Bull was named 
 the " Brown Bull of Quelgny," and that both the beast 
 and his master were well content to live in their present 
 home, but that if Maev wanted the Bull she knew where 
 to find him and might come and fetch him if she could. 
 
 At this reply Maev was furious, and swore to nail Dara 
 by the ears to the door of the Bull's stall; but Fergus was 
 pleased, for things were falling out as he desired, and in 
 the end, the outcome of his careful planning was the 
 sending out of messengers South, East and West to raise 
 the men of Erin to a great hosting against the men of 
 Ulster r! this time too, Ferdia loft Ratlicroc;an to
 
 162 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 summon his following of Firboigs, but many months must 
 elapse before the negotiations between Connacht on the 
 one hand and Munster, Westmeath and the High King's 
 territory in Heath, and the others, whom Maev wished to 
 aid her, could be completed; and after the negotiations 
 were finished more time must pass before she could take 
 the field at the head of eighteen triucha cet*. Meanwhile, 
 before all these matters were settled, and the preparations 
 complete, Cuchulain came home. 
 
 Now it were too long to tell of all the deeds of Conall 
 of the Victories as he sailed the seas, knowing nothing of 
 the rape of Deirdre or the slaying of the sons of Usna, but 
 for the sake of the story it must be told that in his 
 voyaging he came to the island where Cuchulain lay in 
 bondage, and, learning of his comrade's plight, attacked 
 the house of the King by night, and, putting all there to 
 the sword, carried off Cuchulain and all his following 
 Greeks, Bomans, Nubians and fierce Northmen from 
 Danemark, whom he had gathered to him in his wander- 
 ings overseas. Nor was the ship of Conall large enough 
 to carry so great a company, for the fighting tail of 
 Cuchulain numbered nigh on three hundred men, so they 
 took the two great sea serpents that had belonged to the 
 King of the Island, and in them put to sea with Conall. 
 
 About this time, when Conall and Cuchulain were 
 setting sail from the far island, King Conor summoned 
 Forgall the Wily to Emain Macha. 
 
 " Forgall ! " said the King, " it is my most earnest wish 
 that the wedding between Owen and thy daughter Emer 
 be celebrated before the coming of the New Year." 
 
 ' Well, lord! " replied Forgall, " for my part I desire 
 naught better, but the maid is still obdurate, and it is 
 my thought that she will make an ill mate for Owen if 
 he weds her against her will." 
 
 " Still, maids have been wed out of hand against their 
 fancies before now, and yet have been well enough suited 
 in wedlock ere all the tale was told," said Conor, and then 
 added, " say, Forgall, is there aught I can do to aid 
 
 * A triucha c-Pt consisted of 3,000 men.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 163 
 
 matters; is there aught, for instance, thou desirtst, which 
 it is in my power to give? " 
 
 "Aye, lord!" growled For gall, "give to me 'Black 
 Sainglend ' and 'the Grey of Macha, ' together with 
 Cuchulain's war chariot, and, willy nilly, Emer weds 
 Owen before the New Year comes." 
 
 At this saying the King was sad, for his son Follaman 
 held the horses in trust for Cuchulain, whom he loved; 
 nevertheless he consented, for many champions, among 
 them his son Cormac, had deserted him after the slaying 
 of the sons of Usna, and he feared lest Owen Mac 
 Darucht, too, should take service elsewhere if he were 
 thwarted in his purpose of marrying Emer. 
 
 As it so happened this conversation between Conor 
 Mac Nessa and Forgall the Wily, took place, not in the 
 great hall where the King was wont to grant audience 
 to his subjects, but in a little chamber, the window of 
 which looked out upon the courtyard, and under this 
 window Cuchulain's charioteer Laeg was sitting in the 
 sun polishing a bit, so that he heard all that passed 
 within. When he heard the King accede to Forgall's 
 request, he rose up and strode quietly away to the stables, 
 for he knew that of all his possessions, his master loved 
 best his chariot and horses. 
 
 Harnessing " Black Sainglend " and " the Grey of 
 Macha," he hooked them in to the chariot and drove out 
 of the yard, saying to a stableman as he did so: 
 
 " I go to exercise the horses of the Lord Cuchulain." 
 When the King and Forgall came to the yard they 
 thought nothing of this, for it was customary for Laeg to 
 exercise the horses daily, but Laeg had no intention of 
 returning. Instead, he drove steadily on through the day, 
 only stopping at night to obtain food and fodder for him- 
 self and the animals from a bodach,* and then pressed 
 on to the north-east, where he purposed hiding his charges 
 in one of the many caves along the coast until Cuchulain 
 should return; and if Cuchulain returned not, well then 
 he would take the horses to his master's bosom friend, 
 
 * Bodach meani farmer.
 
 164 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 the Lord Ferdia Mac Daman, as he knew Cuchulain would 
 wish. 
 
 The voyage home from the Island of Bondage was a 
 long one, but time passed, and at last the shores of the 
 Emerald Isle hove in sight imagine how the wanderer's 
 heart beat at the first vision of his native land ! 
 Cuchulain gazed and gazed, nor could he look his fill, 
 and then his heart gave a great leap and almost stopped, 
 for there, along the top of the cliff, raced two splendid 
 horses, drawing a great war chariot, and Cuchulain knew 
 them for his own even at that distance. 
 
 The ships sailed into the little bay with a following 
 wind; sails were lowered, men sprang down into the 
 water as the keels ground on the sands, and willing 
 hands ran the boats up the strand and beached them. 
 
 Cuchulain leaped overboard among the first, and 
 walking up the beach, stooped and passionately kissed 
 the soil of his beloved native land, even as did a King of 
 England hundreds of years after Cuchulain's flesh had 
 dropped from his bones in senseless dust. 
 
 Then, while Conall saw to the clearing of the war 
 ships and the mustering of the men, Cuchulain climbed 
 alone to the top of the cliffs, where he found Laeg 
 breathing the horses after their gallop. 
 
 Laeg looked on his master for a moment speechless, 
 and then, with a mighty shout, which sent the seagulls 
 squarking and circling on high from the rocks where they 
 were just settling down for the night, he rushed forward 
 and fell at Cuchulain's feet, muttering incoherent words 
 of welcome. 
 
 "This is well met, Laeg," said his master as he stood 
 fondling the silky muzzles of the horses; "but what 
 chance of luck brings thee to this desolate spot? " 
 
 " The best of luck for thee, lord, else hadst thou never 
 driven ' Black Sainglend ' and ' the Grey of Macha ' more, 
 for King Conor had already promised them to the Lord 
 Forgall; but I, overhearing the pact and knowing full well 
 that Cullan gave the horses to thee, and to no other to
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 165 
 
 sell or barter, harnessed up and drove away, and here 
 have I lain hid these months past." 
 
 " Now by Dara, why should Conor give my horses to 
 Forgall unless it is that he may persuade the Wily Chief 
 to hold Emer unwed against my return." 
 
 " Ah, my lord, a worse tale hangs to that matter." 
 
 Then Laeg set out all that story of the courting of 
 Emer by Owen Mac Darucht, so far as he knew it, but of 
 the rape of Deirdre and the slaying of the sons of Usna 
 he said nothing, for Cathbad the Druid had imposed a 
 geise upon the men of Emania not to speak of this 
 matter. 
 
 As the tale drew to its end Cuchulain's battle fury 
 came upon him, and, drawing his sword, he shouted for 
 Conall, who came running swiftly, thinking his friend 
 attacked by foemen, but finding Cuchulain alone with 
 his charioteer, he asked sharply : 
 
 ' Well, Cuchulain, what's amiss that thou dost 
 summon me thus violently with cries of war and affright 
 in the midst of the setting out of the bivouac? " 
 
 " What's amiss? " raved Cuchulain; " what's amiss? 
 Well may'st thou ask, when Laeg here tells me that Owen 
 Mac Darucht pays court for the hand of Emer, and Conor 
 Mac Nessa backs his suit. Worse still, Forgall forces on 
 the match and Laeg heard the King and Forgall set the 
 wedding feast for New Year's Day. To-night is New 
 Year's Eve, and seventy long miles lie between us and 
 the Dun of Forgall Lord of Lusca. Now ask'st thou what 
 is amiss, or why I rave and shout ? ' ' 
 
 " Indeed thou art in evil case, Cuchulain, for the men 
 are weary and stiff from the sea, and hardly, I think, 
 could they cover the distance in a week." 
 
 " Men ! " cried Cuchulain; " what need have I of men? 
 If I can but come there in time for the marriage feast, 
 I can at least strike Owen-the-Maid-Stealer dead, and so 
 save Emer from him, even if I am cut down myself the 
 next instant." 
 
 4 Then I think, lord, there are those here who will take 
 thee to Dun Forgall in the time," said Laeg, laying his 
 hand upon the neck of " the Groy of Macha " ; " for many
 
 166 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 months th,e horses have rested, exercised, and fed here, 
 until they are fit to race for their lives, as it seems to me 
 they must gallop for thine honour this night." 
 
 " The lad speaks truth," laughed Conall of the 
 Victories, joyous for the coming fight; " go Cuchulain, 
 and I go with thee, leaving Old Agnoman to bring on thy 
 men and mine so soon as may be." 
 
 Little time is wasted in preparation; a few hurried 
 orders to Old Agnoman, enough food and fodder packed 
 up, and the three mount into the chariot. 
 
 As Laeg urges the horses into a sharp canter, Cuchulain 
 looks back over his shoulder and sees the quiet bivouac, 
 the gleaming spear heads red kissed as they stand up, 
 their shafts struck into the earth. The sea beyond is 
 illumined by the fiery rays of the sinking sun, which 
 stains the whole scene red; in the thunder of the hoofs 
 he loses the far-off roaring of the distant breakers. 
 
 As they drove on, Laeg again set out, for Conall 's 
 benefit, the tale he had told to Cuchulain. 
 
 "Ah!" said that warrior, " they work an evil work, 
 and we have seventy miles to go through the night and 
 only these two horses. Well, man can but try, and 
 belike we may yet be in time, or at the worst, unwilling 
 wed may be quickly widowed," and he laughed aloud as 
 the horses galloped on. 
 
 The night came down and the moon rose up as they 
 galloped up the slopes of the Antrim Mountains; the 
 horses had got their wind now, and swept along with 
 great raking strides which neither tired nor varied mile 
 after mile. 
 
 On through the stillness of the night; the horses' hoofs 
 beat out- a ceaseless, rhythmic song of the road, which 
 numbed the brain and set all thoughts at rest. On, under 
 the moonlight, past lonely farmsteads and the huts of 
 hill shepherds; on, over the ridge of the mountains as 
 the moon rose to her zenith; on, on, hour after hour, 
 galloping it seemed eternally through an everlasting 
 night. 
 
 None broke the silence, but all three watched the 
 splendid horses and listened to their deep -chested
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 167 
 
 breathing through the drumming of the hoofs. And so on, 
 and now they were passing down the Southern slopes 
 towards Loch Neagh. 
 
 At last Laeg, who for the last few miles had driven 
 leaning forward and urging the horses onward with his 
 voice, stood upright and eased them to a walk, and then, 
 signed to his companions to dismount as the chariot came 
 to a standstill. 
 
 "Twenty-five miles, lord," said he; "more than a 
 third of the journey done." 
 
 They unhooked the horses from the chariot, and took 
 off the harness while the sweat dripped down from the 
 animals' necks and the steam stood up in a great cloud 
 above them , then they let the horses drink a few draws of 
 water, and it was a hard task to get them away from the 
 loch, for they would have drunk their fill. Next, they were 
 allowed to roll in the dew-wet grass and then given a small 
 feed of corn, and all the while Cuchulain wandered rest- 
 lessly up and down, striking his hands together. 
 
 Soon the time was up, the horses were harnessed and 
 hooked in, and the chariot started off at an easy 
 trot. 
 
 " Faster, Laeg, faster! " called Cuchulain. 
 " Nay, lord, leave this matter to me," answered the 
 charioteer; " the horses are not into their stride yet." 
 
 " He who hurries too much, falls," said Conall sen- 
 tentiously. 
 
 And now they are leaving the Hills of Laggan on their 
 left, and in front stretches the open plain away to Ard 
 Macha, and the horses are into their wide, steady stride 
 again. 
 
 On they go, and now only twenty miles remain between 
 them and their goal, but the horses are flagging, and the 
 smell of dawn is in the air; after a while they see 
 the Dun of Emain Macha dimly through the first light 
 of day far away to the left, as the galloping hoofs drum 
 up the dawn.
 
 168 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 THE hall of the Lord of Lusca, Forgall the Wily, is 
 decked for the marriage feast, and adown the walls on 
 either hand run tables laden with good provender for 
 his retainers and those of King Conor Mac Nessa, Owen 
 Mac Darucht, Prince of Ferney, and Lewey, Prince of 
 Munster. The High Table is set across the top of the 
 Hall, and at it are seated the King, with Cathbad on 
 his right and Forgall on his left. Beside the Druid sit 
 Owen Mac Darucht and Emer, whom he hopes soon to 
 hold as his bride. Next to Forgall sit his elder daughter, 
 Fial, and Prince Lewey, son of Curoi King of Munster. 
 
 Emer sits still as a statue in her white robes, her face 
 set and cold as marble for she hates Owen, who sits 
 by her smiling evilly, now that he sees his plans approach 
 fruition; and evilly smiles Lewey, too, for he also had 
 played his part in bringing to pass the sacrifice of the 
 maid. But Emer heeds them not, nor looks upon them, 
 for she is thinking of Cuchulain as she saw him last 
 in all the radiance of his beauty and youthful strength 
 on that day he came to ask her hand. She thinks of 
 him as he stood, his eyes blazing defiance as he swore 
 to do his deeds and come to claim her with fire and 
 sword if need be, in answer to the scorn her father put 
 upon him. She thinks, too, of Cuchulain's reputation; 
 for it was said of him that he never did an ill deed, 
 never refused succour to the weak and needy, nor quarter 
 to a fallen foe who hanselled for peace. All men loved 
 him, and even his foes admired him for his courage and 
 honest nature. Then her mind turned upon the tales 
 Lewey had poured into her ear, and now, too late, she 
 wondered if they were true, for she could not bear to 
 think of Cuchulain faithless and dishonoured. 
 
 " Oh that he were here," she said in her mind, " faith- 
 less or fair, yet would he not see me go from this place 
 as Owen's wife."
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 169 
 
 The druid Morann that same druid who had prophesied 
 at Cuchulain's birth filled the cups and handed them 
 to the King, that he might name the toasts, for all the 
 guests were gathered by this time. 
 
 The feast went on and cup followed cup, and still the 
 bride sat rigid as a statue, suffering no food to pass her 
 lips. At last the feast drew to an end as Cathbad himself 
 rose to pour the marriage cup, which he blessed and 
 handed to Owen, who rose to his feet and all that company 
 rose with him. Taking the cup between his hands, Owen 
 called the toast aloud as was the custom, then, turning, 
 he pledged Emer and drank the half of it before handing 
 it to her, for she must pledge him too and drain the 
 flagon dry. 
 
 Around the great cup the bride's fingers were locked, 
 the words of bondage trembled on her lips as she raised 
 it high. 
 
 " In this cup I pledge " But she got no further, 
 
 for the thunder of hoofs and the rumble of wheels was 
 heard without, approaching up the road to Dun Forgall. 
 
 The cup tilts forward between the bride's clasped 
 hands, and the wine slops over the rim on to the board 
 as she leans forward gazing intently down the aisle be- 
 tween the tables. It falls to the ground with a crash 
 and rolls away out of sight under the table as she screams 
 and points to the door. 
 
 At the cry, all eyes are turned in the direction of the 
 pointing hand, a gasp of wonder goes up, for there, framed 
 in the portal stand two fierce warriors with naked swords 
 in their hands; the dust of travel covers their garments, 
 their faces and bare arms are bronzed as by the sun 
 beating up from the tossing seas, their mouths are set 
 and firm, and their eyes gleam fiercely from deep hollows, 
 black ringed and sunken. 
 
 "Cuchulain!" screams Emer. 
 
 " Cuchulain and Conall of the Victories! " echo the 
 people. 
 
 Owen mutters a curse, but Forgall reaches for his sword 
 and shield, for he remembers certain promises Cuchulain
 
 170 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 made long since; King Conor says nothing, for he is 
 shamed that Cuchulain should come in this hour. 
 
 " Bar the door against those men who come unbidden 
 to my daughter's marriage feast," orders Forgall; but 
 he is too late, for now Cuchulain and Conall are advancing 
 up the hall side by side, grimly silent. 
 
 "Curses on them," raves Forgall; " wilt thou drive 
 them forth or cut -them down, or must I needs come down 
 from the High Seat to do the deed myself? " 
 
 " Aye, lord, I think that were better," mocks 
 Cuchulain; " but first certain words must be said 'ere we 
 betake ourselves to deeds." 
 
 ' Wilt thou suffer this interruption, King Conor, before 
 the bride's toast half drunk already be completed? " 
 demands Forgall. 
 
 But King Conor sat silent, for he was shamed and 
 would take no further part in the matter. 
 
 "Well for thee, my Lord of Lusca, that the toast is 
 not yet pledged," cried Cuchulain, " for certain promises 
 passed between thee and me once long ago, of which I 
 now would speak. 
 
 "Say Forgall, do my thoughts lie to me, or didst thou 
 once promise a youth named Cuchulain, that thy daughter 
 Emer should mate with him after he had done certain 
 deeds, and if he came to claim her and could take her? 
 Wait, lord," he added, as Forgall was about to reply; 
 " after my time, thine." Then he went on. " And say, 
 lord, did not that youth Cuchulain take thee at thy word, 
 promising to come back and claim the maid, with fire 
 and sword if need be? Moreover, it seems to me that 
 there was some talk of the nailing of ears to doorposts 
 and the stuffing of a certain carcase with straw should 
 the maid be wed. Say, Forgall, hast forgotten those 
 things, or didst fancy Cuchulain would perform less than 
 his promised word? Wait," said Cuchulain again, " thy 
 moment is not yet, nor that of Owen." 
 
 Then, looking Emer straight in the eyes, he spoke with 
 icy calm. 
 
 " Lady, at that time when I went hence, thou didst 
 bid me, who already had thy love, to come again to claim
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 171 
 
 thy hand, promising to remain true to me in absence 
 while I went on the quest to which thou didst send me 
 forth. Say, Emer, is this true? " 
 
 "It is true, Cuchulain," she murmured. 
 
 " From this place I did journey to the Land of Shadows 
 by way of Emain Macha, and from the Dun of Skatha 
 Ferdia departed to bring word of my deeds. Did Ferdia 
 come home bringing good report of me, oh King? " 
 
 " Ferdia came and made good report," answered Conor 
 Mac Nessa. 
 
 " If further proof is needed, he stands here by my 
 side who can give it. Say, Conall, earned I the title of 
 Champion overseas when we sailed beyond the Pillars of 
 Hercules*? " 
 
 " Full well didst thou earn the title, thou Hound of 
 Ulster," answered Conall of the Victories. 
 
 " Now, Emer, it seems that I have fulfilled my part 
 of the compact. Why then dost thou sit at the marriage 
 board pledged to Owen Mac Darucht? " 
 
 " For this reason, Cuchulain: word came that thou 
 wast wed to Aifa." 
 
 " By whose mouth came that word? " 
 
 " It was told to me by Lewey, Prince of Munster, thy 
 fellow pupil at Dun Skatha, who swore he saw the rites 
 performed." 
 
 " And didst thou hear naught of this matter from the 
 lips of Ferdia? " 
 
 " Naught from Ferdia; but still a whisper came to me 
 from the Court of Emania that thou wast not wed but 
 shamed, Cuchulain." 
 
 " Ah, so Lewey told one tale, did he? and, doubtless, 
 those at Court, whose interests it served, caused that 
 other tale to reach thy ear, and thou, thinking me wed 
 or shamed in either case forsworn thou wouldst have 
 cast in thy lot with Owen's? " 
 
 "Nay, Cuchulain, not altogether dost thou speak truth, 
 for know it is not of mine own free will that I sit here 
 
 * i.e., Spain.
 
 172 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 to-day, but rather because the King and my father force 
 Owen upon me." 
 
 " As I be neither wed, nor, in mine own eyes, shamed, 
 it seems to me that there may well be a change of bride- 
 grooms before all this matter is ended." 
 ' We shall see," growled Forgall. 
 ' Wait," said Cuchulain, and then continued : " Greet- 
 ing, Lewey Prince of Munster, Lewey the Liar, 
 Lewey whom Skatha sent back to his home because he 
 was not deemed worthy to learn the Hero feats. Say, 
 Lewey, why didst pour poisoned lies into the ear of the 
 Lady Emer? 
 
 " I told the truth as I knew it," answered Lewey, 
 sullenly. 
 
 " Thou liest," roared Cuchulain, "thou didst lie because 
 of certain whippings dealt to thee in the Land of Shadows, 
 and because thy heart is evil. Liar, cheat, and coward 
 do I name thee. Nay, pretend not to feel for thy sword, 
 for well thou knowest thou darest not raise it against me. 
 
 " And thou, Owen, between us are no words needed; 
 thou hast sought to usurp my place, and between us the 
 quarrel stands, what 'ere else betides; but of thee, my 
 Lord of Lusca, would I ask a question: 
 
 " Why didst thou try to force thy daughter to a hateful 
 marriage with Owen, knowing her heart set on me who 
 have fared forth to do certain deeds for her sake? Thou 
 didst bid me claim the maid and take her if I could. 
 Well, lord, I am here to take her. Who of this company 
 stands forth to deny my right? " 
 
 " I bandy no words with thee, boy," answered Forgall, 
 " but this I say to thee, that Emer weds with Owen here 
 and now." 
 
 " Not so, lord, for blood shall flow before that shall 
 happen, for this I swear by Dana and the Light above 
 me, that I go not from this hall alive until Emer goes 
 with me as my bride." 
 
 " And that T swear, too," said Conall. 
 
 " What is thy word on this matter, King Conor," 
 demanded Forgall. 
 
 " I give no word to one side or the other," answered
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 173 
 
 the King; "the quarrel lies between thee, Owen and 
 Cuchulain." 
 
 " But I have a word to say," said Emer, " and it is 
 this, let Cuchulain tell his story, and if he clear himself 
 in this matter of Aifa, then I will wed with him and 
 with him alone." 
 
 That shalt thou never do, while swords are sharp," 
 answered Forgall, Owen echoing his words. 
 
 "It is to you I speak, lady, and to my comrades of 
 Emania," said Cuchulain, " and not to these others whom 
 I hold forsworn. Listen, then: 
 
 " In the Land of Shadows it so happened that Aifa 
 was made captive by Skatha, and by her taken to dwell 
 at the dun beyond the Bridge of the Leaps, w r here she 
 lived for many months. For some reason best known 
 to herself, Aifa desired my love ; but all my love was set 
 on thee, Emer, and so her love was naught to me. Time 
 passed, and a time came when I was sore wounded in a 
 foray, so that when Skatha went fo/th again at the head 
 of her men, I was left alone at the dun with the women 
 folk. On that day word came to me that a soldier had 
 arrived from Emania, and from him I learned that thou 
 wast wed to an outland chief, and with him had gone over- 
 seas, but not for days after did I learn that this tale was 
 a lie put into the man's mouth by Aifa. As I sat in 
 the hall that evening, nursing my sorrow and brooding 
 on my loss, Aifa crept in, and sitting down beside me 
 seemed to share my sorrows. Presently she ordered wine 
 to be taken to her chamber, and thither we went for the 
 fire had died down and the hall grew cold. As we sat 
 and talked, she poured wine into the horn, and in my 
 sorrow I drank deep. Stillness fell upon the dwelling 
 as the inmates went to rest, and ever as we talked Aifa 
 crept closer, until at last she lay between my arms and 
 our lips bad almost met, for I counted all oaths broken; 
 then an icy wind blew across our faces and I put her 
 off from me; but she pleaded hard, and when I would 
 not consent to mate with her, she poured the cup of 
 friendship at parting. In that cup lurked a drug, for I 
 know no more until I nwoke nnrl found her at my side.
 
 174 THE HOUND OF CUE-LAN 
 
 From that time I had no speech of Aifa until the day 
 of my departure overseas, when it was necessary to 
 speak of certain matters concerning the son who had 
 been born of that night's madness. Say, Comrades of 
 the House of the Red Branch, is not that the story Ferdia 
 told on his return, and swore to on the Sacred Stone of 
 Sacrifice as true ? " 
 
 ' That is the story Ferdia told," shouted the men 
 of King Conor's guard. 
 
 " A pretty tale with which to cozen a kitchen wench," 
 sneered Owen. 
 
 " True or false," said Forgall, " it matters not, for 
 the wedding goes on and Cuchulain goes hence." 
 
 " There thou art wrong, lord," called Cuchulain, " for 
 the oath is sworn, and here I stand to abide the issue, 
 and Conall stands with me." 
 
 With an oath, Forgall springs down into the hall, and 
 striding up to Cuchulain, thrusts his face close to the 
 hero's. 
 
 " Wilt thou go?" 
 
 " No! " 
 
 " Then bide a dead man," says Forgall, as he rips out 
 his sword. Hastily the feasters scramble behind the 
 tables where they stand to watch the coming fight, but 
 Conall steps to the foot of the high seat, waiting watch- 
 fully to ward off any other attack upon Cuchulain by 
 Owen or Lewey. 
 
 For a space the two stand glaring at each other, alone 
 in the centre of the hall, then in the hushed silence 
 Forgall strikes and strikes again, two lightning blows in 
 quick succession, but Cuchulain catches them on his 
 shield and strikes back. There is no nicety of sword play 
 in this, for the fight is fierce and short; but do all he will, 
 Forgall cannot break through Cuchulain 's impregnable 
 defence. He loses patience and rushes on his foe, bellow- 
 ing like an angry bull, but again he is allowed to 
 waste his strength against a wall of steel; but at last 
 Cuchulain tires of the play and holding his point firm 
 instead of bringing it back on guard, he allows Forgall
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 173 
 
 to spit himself on the blade by the force of his own 
 lunge. 
 
 A great shout goes up from the men of Emania to 
 see the Lord of Lusca thus overthrown by a champion 
 of the House of the Red Branch. Then another shout 
 goes up from the men of Forgall, and of Owen, as the 
 Prince of Fiernay leaps down from the high seat, a naked 
 blade flashing in his hand. Conall steps forward as 
 Owen's feet touch the ground, crying: 
 
 ' To me, Owen, or I will slay thee! " But Cuchulain 
 shouts, " This one for me, Conall; for the love of Light, 
 leave him to me," and rushing in he deals Owen a blow 
 which, beating down his guard, cuts deep into his shoulder 
 and lays him low. 
 
 And now a great tumult breaks out and swords flash 
 out with a tearing rasp as they leave their sheaths, for 
 Lewey is calling on the men of Munster and of Fiernay 
 to take Cuchulain, while Fial calls on her father's 
 following to cut him down. 
 
 But Cuchulain and Conall are calling aloud, too : 
 
 " Brothers of the Boy Corps, comrades of Emain 
 Macha, strike with us this day! " 
 
 ' We come ! we come ! ' ' shout the men of Emania 
 as they leap the tables and ring the champions round. 
 Thereon a fierce and bloody fight ensued, as King Conor 
 and his druids slipped out through the women's door 
 behind the high seat; for Conor did not wish that it 
 should afterwards be said that he took the part of either 
 side in this quarrel, for both sides were powerful, and 
 already he had heard rumours of the hosting of Queen 
 Maev ; but Fial and Emer stood side by side, with hate in 
 their hearts, gazing down on the sea of battling men, and 
 ever where the fight raged thickest, the swords of 
 Cuchulain and Conall flashed aloft. 
 
 At last it is done, and the men of Munster, Fiernay, 
 and Lusca stream out through the door of the Lord of 
 Lusca's dun, hotly pursued by the men of Emania. In 
 the doorway stand the champions watching the pursuit 
 disappear, fighting, stabbing and cursing, over the brow 
 of a hill. When the combatants have disappeared from
 
 176 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 sight, Cuchulain turns and gazes up the hall to where 
 Emer stands by the high seat alone, for Fial has gone, and 
 with her Lewey and Owen Mac Darucht, nursing his 
 wound and muttering threats of vengeance. 
 
 Conall moves about among the dead, the dying, and 
 the wounded, but Cuchulain strides over the corpse-strewn 
 floor unheeding, and stopping in front of Emer he speaks : 
 
 " Day draws to dusk, lady; all words are said, living 
 men are sped ; dost thou hold that I am cleared of shame 
 in this matter of Aifa, and art still willing to mate with 
 me, now that I have slain thy father? " 
 
 " Cuchulain, I hold thee free of all shame. Long 
 since I pledged thee my word, and, though the sky fall 
 on me and crush me, the earth gape and swallow me up, 
 and the sea burst out and overwhelm me, yet will I 
 mate with thee and thee alone, even though evil come of 
 it, as I fear, for, years ago, when thou didst depart from 
 here to the Land of Shadows, certain words passed be- 
 tween us at parting. We pledged our troth, and I said to 
 thee, ' We two shall mate and love each other all our 
 days; great love shall I give thee, but no child, for thou 
 shalt break thy vows and take another mate before I lie 
 in thy arms. A son shall she give thee, but him shalt 
 thou slay in expiation of thy sin.' Part of that which I 
 then foretold hath already come to pass; we can but 
 await what comes in fulfilment of the prophecy, and 
 it were better to meet it together than alone." 
 
 After this they sat and talked a while in that place of 
 blood, until the men of Emania returning from the 
 pursuit, Conall came to ask what must be done. 
 
 " This shall be done," said Cuchulain: " Emer I take 
 to wife forthwith, and for to-night we lie here, but 
 thou shalt take the guard of Conor, and with them 
 collect the corpses of those slain in this fight. First thou 
 shalt lay the dead upon each other, and upon our foes 
 shall rest the warriors of Emain Macha, and on the top 
 of all shall rest Forgall the Wily, Lord of Lusca. About 
 and above the dead shalt thou build a mighty mound of 
 earth. To-morrow we journey hence to my mother 
 Deetera nt. her home in Mnrthemnev ; but first we will
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AX 177 
 
 fire this dun, for it is my thought that Fial, Owen, and 
 Lewey will raise their men against us. If it be thy 
 will, I would that thou shouldst travel the road by 
 which Agnoman marches with our following. My men 
 thou shalt send on to me at Murthemney." 
 
 "All shall be done as thou dost will, Cuchulain, and 
 after I will march with my fighting tail to Emain Macha, 
 to find how the King views this matter, whereafter I will 
 send thee word." 
 
 As the two sat at the high table planning their future, 
 Couall and his men came and went, clearing the hall of 
 the dead and wounded. Soon the women of the house- 
 hold, who had fled at the din of combat, began to steal 
 back by twos and threes, with white scared faces and 
 roving eyes. At last the men's task was performed, and 
 then Emer bade the women bring fresh food, that all might 
 eat. After they had eaten, Cuchulain toasted them, and 
 finally he asked Conall to fill the bride's cup, which he 
 took from his friend's hand, and, rising, pledged Emer 
 and she pledged him. 
 
 " Not thus should our marriage rites have been cele- 
 brated," said Cuchulain, " for now the spirits of the slain 
 throng close about our board, and the blood of kinsmen 
 lies, new dried, beneath our feet!" 
 
 " Yet shall our vows bind fast and hold for all time, 
 husband! " answered Emer; and then they kissed, 
 whereat all the fighting men cheered. 
 
 Thus was the marriage of Cuchulain and Emer cele- 
 brated in blood and fire, as had been prophesied. 
 
 Now all the guards of King Conor trooped out of the 
 hall, leaving Cuchulain and Emer standing together in 
 the firelight. They did not, however, march for Emain 
 Macha that night, for already it was late, and, moreover, 
 they feared that the foes of Cuchulain might attack and 
 take the dun if it were left unguarded. 
 
 Three days after these happenings at Dun Forgall, King 
 Conor Mac Nessa was sitting in his great hall at Emain 
 Macha, when there entered to him Owen Mac Darucht, 
 demanding vengeance on Cuchulain and Conall, and com- 

 
 178 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 pensation for the men of his following who liad been 
 slain in the fight by the King's own guards. 
 
 Now it happened that while they sat and talked of this 
 matter, Deirdre, sad and tired looking, crossed the hall 
 on her way to the women's quarters. Glancing up to see 
 who passed, a sudden thought entered the King's mind. 
 
 "Come hither, Deirdre," he called. As she came he 
 whispered certain words to Owen, whereat the Prince of 
 Fiernay smiled a smile of wicked content. 
 
 " Tell me, Deirdre," said the King, when she stood 
 before him, " is there anyone thou hatest as much or 
 more than thou dost hate me? " 
 
 " Yes," answered Deirdre instantly, " I hate Owen 
 more, for that which thou didst bring about from lust and 
 wounded pride, he performed from lust for Emer and love 
 of gain." 
 
 " Ah," said the King, laughing, " Owen is a love-lorn 
 swain, for Cuchulain hath returned and claimed Emer, 
 and Owen desirest thee, so thou art like a ewe between 
 two rams; for Owen wants that which I am loth to part 
 with; yet must the King make his subjects happy, so 
 thou shalt go to live with Owen for a year. Thus he will 
 not be disappointed, while I shall only lack thy sweet 
 presence for a season." Again he laughed; but Deirdre 
 only gazed with dry-eyed horror upon her persecutors. 
 From the happiness of Naisi's arms she had been torn by 
 the brutality of these two men. Conor had defiled her 
 body and broken her spirit, and now he purposed to sully 
 her soul, to pass her on to Owen! The agony of the 
 thought was more than she could bear, and the added 
 burden of this fresh indignity weighed her down, so that 
 she stood bereft of speech. In her heart she knew that 
 death alone would soothe her sorrows by releasing her 
 from her sufferings. 
 
 The King called two women attendants and said : 
 
 " Go with Deirdre and prepare her for a journey, for 
 she goes on a holiday for a year to the Prince of Fiernay. 
 On no account leave her alone, lest she do herself a 
 mischief, as she well might attempt for sorrow at parting 
 from me even for so short a time "; and now both Owen
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 179 
 
 and the King laughed, for they thought this an xcllent 
 jest. 
 
 After a meal had been served, Owen departed in his 
 chariot, taking Deirdre with him. Now it happened that 
 by the gateway of the King's house, was a large mounting 
 block, and as the chariot passed it, Deirdre threw herself 
 backwards out of the vehicle, and striking her head 
 against the stone, broke her neck. Thus did she end 
 her troubles and was at rest; but a great quarrel ensued 
 between Owen and the King upon the matter, the latter 
 holding that Owen had thrown Deirdre from the chariot 
 to spite him, while Owen held that as he had had no 
 good of the bargain, King Conor should make him other 
 compensation for the loss of Emer and for the men who 
 had been slain in the fight at Dun Forgall. 
 
 Now the story moves back to Rathcrogan and the 
 hosting of Queen Maev, while Cuchulain and Emer are 
 dwelling peacefully in Murthemney with Dectera. 
 
 The negotiations are all over, and each separate lord 
 has completed his preparations for the rising-out of Erin 
 against Ulster. From far and near, soldiers, farmers and 
 shepherds have flocked in to Munster, Meath, and 
 Connacht, and the great hosting of Queen Maev begins. 
 Vast quantities of stores, battle chariots, carts for 
 transport and munitions of war have been collected. 
 Camping sites have been prepared, and day by day the 
 troops march into Rathcrogan great lords with their 
 retinues and three or four triucha ct at their backs, lesser 
 lords with three or four hundred javelin men and a couple 
 of hundred swordsmen in their fighting tail; wild bands 
 of hillmen, nominally husbandmen and shepherds, but 
 in reality no better than highway robbers, in bands of 
 tens, thirties and fifties; and as each company, great or 
 small, marches in, it is escorted by one of the seven 
 Mainds, the sons of Ailell and Maev, to the quarters 
 allotted for its occupation. 
 
 Ket and Anluan, the sons of Ross the Red and Maga 
 the Danaan woman, are there with three thousand swords 
 to back them; Ferdia is there with his Firbolgs, great, 
 jolly men, liking the kiss of a pretty wench to flavour a
 
 180 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 mighty flagon of ale, better thau aught else in the world. 
 Lewey is there with the levies from Munster, and Loch 
 Mac Mofebis, Fiacha Mac Firaba with a triucha cet of the 
 Clan Eury ; the men of West Meath and High Meath are 
 there, a great company. The men of Leinster were the 
 last to march in, not big men these, but fierce and 
 terrible, valiant soldiers but very cruel, and living only 
 for the sword and by the sword". Many notable cham- 
 pions, too, who had left Emain Macha after the slaying 
 of the sons of Usna, had joined Maev's standard, and at 
 their head was Cormac, King Conor's own son, who had 
 spoken up so boldly when his father bade him slay the 
 brethren. 
 
 On the day after that on which the hosting was com- 
 plete, Maev summoned a great council of all the leaders 
 and champions, when she finally set out her plans before 
 them; these accepted, it only remained to fix the time 
 when the enterprise should start. 
 
 Lewey was all in favour of moving forward to the 
 attack without delay, and in this he was supported by 
 Loch Mac Mofebis, a very famous warrior, and by Ket 
 and Anluan, for, they argued, " if we attack at once we 
 may perchance take the Ulstermen by surprise, but if 
 we delay, we but give Conor Mac Nessa time to gather his 
 forces." 
 
 Against this plan Fergus Mac Eoy, Prince Cormac, and 
 Ferdia Mac Daman and all the exiles from Ulster rigidly 
 set their faces. After all the arguments of Lewey and 
 his friends had been heard, Ferdia set forth the opinion 
 of his fellow exiles. 
 
 " Without doubt, Loch and Lewey speak as soldiers," 
 said he, " but even so, the hosting of 54,000 men is not 
 a little matter, and must surely have been reported to 
 King Conor by his spies. Moreover, in this case, there are 
 special circumstances, which are doubtless unknown to 
 those who counsel immediate advance, or if they be known 
 have been treated as a myth or forgotten by those who 
 dwell in the Southern Provinces. But we of Ulster or who 
 were once of Ulster until Conor brought such shame to his 
 Court as drove us forth know that the Curse of Macha is
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AX 181 
 
 no Myth, for the Ultonian debility comes each year and 
 grips those who fight in Ulster's cause. It so happens that 
 the curse is due to work its annual punishment in three 
 weeks' time, and then the fighting men of Ulster will be 
 helpless, so that thou mayst go up and occupy the land, 
 with none to oppose ye, save the Boy Corps of Emain 
 Macha, upon whom the curse has no effect, for they 
 have not yet attained the years of manhood. This, then, 
 is my counsel : that we rest here in this place of hosting 
 for nine days, so that we may fall upon the Ulstermen 
 on the first day of their debility, which always lasts for 
 five days and four nights. Meantime the host here may 
 well be exercised together, so that we go up to the fray 
 as a concerted army, rather than as an armed rabble, or, 
 at best, a collection of armed and trained units, acting 
 independently of each other." 
 
 To this counsel Queen Maev gave her word, and all 
 the other chiefs agreed, and in this way was the matter 
 settled. 
 
 Now, to all those who sat at the Council, it appeared 
 that Queen Maev was convinced by the arguments 
 advanced by Ferdia. Yet, in her heart, she was far from 
 satisfied. She felt that before committing herself to the 
 venture she must be sure that the Fates would smile upon 
 her undertaking. For this reason she determined to consult 
 her Chief Druid, 'ere she became too deeply involved in 
 the plot to draw back. 
 
 The great Council broke up amid the rattle of 
 seabbarded swords, as the great chiefs and -princes rose 
 from their seats and departed to their quarters, each 
 bowing his head to Queen Maev as he reached the exit. 
 For a while the Queen sat on, absorbed in deep thought, 
 undisturbed by the myriad sounds of camp life without. 
 At last, as the shades of night were falling, she too rose, 
 and dismissing the sentries and guards with a wave of 
 her hand, walked alone to her bower, where her favourite 
 waiting-woman had sat hour after hour ready to unrobe 
 her mistress. 
 
 As the woman brushed and braided her corn-ripe hair, 
 Maev sat and mused. She thought of the great power she
 
 182 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 held, and of the glories of her state, and of her conquests 
 in the past. All the great chiefs and princes of Erin 
 had hailed her Queen in the Council to-day, all had made 
 her obeisance of honour, almost of fealty, as they left her 
 presence, but was she really so strong, was her hold on 
 them so great that she might rely upon them to the death 
 in the coming struggle with Ulster? 
 
 One by one she reviewed in her subtle brain the wiles 
 and ways Fergus and she had employed to knit the jealous 
 factions of Erin into a composite whole for the reduction 
 of Ulster. Could the princes and chieftains be trusted 
 not to break out against each other during the period of 
 inaction which must ensue before the great advance could 
 begin, she wondered; and would they remain loyal to 
 her and to each other through the heat and stress of 
 the day of battle? The Clan Eury under Fiacha Mac 
 Firaba, the sons of Maga, with their retinue, and the Fir- 
 bolgs of Ferdia would be true to the death she knew, true 
 as her own men of Connacht ; but what of the men of 
 Munster under Prince Lewey? The men were loyal and 
 stout of heart enough, doubtless, but Lewey she dis- 
 trusted, and it was he the men would follow in an 
 emergency; his orders would rule them rather than her 
 own, and what of those wild, fierce fighters from Leinster? 
 Almost she regretted now that she had summoned them, 
 for such was their might that, should they be dissatisfied 
 with the profit of the sword by which they lived, and 
 prove traitorous-minded, they might well overawe the 
 rest of the host at a critical moment. Perchance it would 
 be better to split them up into companies, and distribute 
 them as a stiffening throughout the force. 
 
 Her thoughts wandered from matters of high policy 
 to personal things. She was young and very beautiful, 
 this lady of many loves, as she gazed at herself in a 
 burnished mirror, while the tireing-woman braided her 
 hair. Would she come back safe from this great raid, or 
 might it chance that the Choosers-of-the-Slain, flying 
 aloft, had already marked her for their own, as they wove 
 the names of mortals about to die into the hems of their 
 mighty mantle? Perhaps the foray might fail of its
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 183 
 
 purpose, and she be left to languish a prisoner in Emania, 
 or worse, she might return maimed and horrible, to drag 
 out a loveless existence, a living death, alone! 
 
 Perchance the gods would speak to her through the 
 lips of the druid, and make these matters clear if she 
 made humble supplication at their altars. Yes, she would 
 go to the druid, and through him seek the aid of the gods. 
 
 " Bring two dark cloaks with hoods, Fuamnach," she 
 said to the waiting- woman, " and come with me, for I go 
 to consult the Chief Druid." 
 
 Fuamnach brought the cloaks, and the two women 
 crept silently out into the darkness of the night. Along 
 a dim way and through a belt of trees they passed to a 
 humble dwelling some distance from the Dun of Eath- 
 crogan. Maev knocked once upon the low door and got 
 no answer. Again she tapped upon the wood with her 
 knuckles. 
 
 "Who knocks at dead o 'night? " came a sepulchral 
 voice from within. 
 
 " Open, open! " answered the Queen. 
 
 " None enter here save one who is expected by the 
 gods," came the voice again; " who knocks? " 
 
 " Open in the Royal Name," breathed Maev, scarcely 
 above a whisper. 
 
 " Enter thou who bearest the Royal name," the voice 
 answered louder than before, as the door swung silently 
 wide on its hinges, unopened by visible hands. 
 
 A gasp of fear escaped the two women as they peered 
 into the impenetrable gloom. 
 
 " Enter and fear not, ye who seek the gods," said the 
 voice. 
 
 The women stepped within the room, and as they 
 crossed the threshold the door swung to behind them 
 as mysteriously as it had opened. Absolute silence 
 reigned in a gloom which could almost be felt, until the 
 striking of a spark to tinder, made them start and draw 
 in their breath anew. 
 
 In the light of a torch which almost instantly flared up, 
 they saw before them a short, squat man, with hollow 
 eyes glooming in a lean, cadaverous countenance. His
 
 184 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 form was thin and emaciated, his cheek and knuckle bones 
 appeared to be starting through his corpse-like flesh, his 
 grizzled hair hung matted and unkempt about his face 
 and shoulders and over his breast; down below his middle, 
 flowed an enormous snow white beard. A long white 
 robe fell in straight folds from his shoulders right down 
 to the ground, but it was open on either side from the 
 point of the shoulder to the hip, and under the robe his 
 waist was swathed in folds of scarlet cloth figured in 
 gold, and on his feet were sandals. 
 
 " Wouldst thou learn the purpose of the gods, Queen? " 
 asked the hoary druid. 
 
 " I would learn, priest." 
 
 " Art thou not afraid, oh Queen? " 
 
 " Why should the servant fear those she serves, or 
 the daughter those who gave her life? " 
 
 ' What seekest thou at the hands of the Holy Ones? " 
 
 " I seek their favour for myself and for the land." 
 ' What if thou findest not favour but death at their 
 hands? " 
 
 " Death cometh to all soon or late, and in death is 
 all wisdom and knowledge." 
 
 " And if there is a price to pay, art thou prepared to 
 pay it with beauty, love, power, or life itself? " 
 
 " I will pay the price." 
 
 " Then follow whither I shall lead, but Fuamnach, thy 
 waiting- woman, must stay here." 
 
 So saying, the ancient priest stooped, and grasping his 
 hands about a ring let into the floor, he heaved with all 
 his strength, until a large stone rose up on end, revealing 
 a flight of steps leading down into the bowels of the 
 earth. Through the hole in the floor and down the steps 
 the druid disappeared, calling upon Maev to follow him. 
 Thirty steps the Queen counted as she descended, and 
 then before her she saw a long, dark passage leading away 
 into the impenetrable gloom. 
 
 Along this dark, narrow, earthy-smelling passage they 
 went, their feet making no sound in the dust which had 
 collected and settled undisturbed upon the floor through 
 untold ages; at last they came to a blank wall of rock, at 
 which the passage ended abruptly.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 185 
 
 ' Whither now?" asked Maev, for already the torch 
 was burning low and she had no wish to be left in the 
 depths of the ground without a light. 
 
 ' Through living rock," answered the priest. " See! " 
 and looking, Maev beheld a section of the rock slide to 
 one side until an opening the size of a large door yawned 
 before her. Through this opening the druid passed, 
 signing to her to follow him. Immediately they found 
 themselves in a chamber some twenty feet square, which 
 had been hollowed in the rock by hand labour in some 
 by-gone age. In the centre of this chamber stood the 
 doom stone, and across it was bound what appeared to be 
 a fair white maid. In front of the stone was placed a 
 heavy chair, and around it, within the doom ring, knelt a 
 semi-circle of images of peace. 
 
 With a low exclamation of surprise, Maev started back, 
 but the priest, reaching for her hand, led her on up to 
 the doom stone. Turning from her he lit two torches 
 fixed in stands on either side of the chair, and then she 
 saw that priests and human sacrifice alike were no mere 
 images of stone, but petrified bodies of mortals who had 
 once drawn breath, washed in water, and been warmed 
 by suns of heaven. 
 
 " What is this place?" she asked in an awe-stricken 
 whisper. 
 
 " It is the hall of the priests who have gone beyond," 
 answered the druid. " No mortal hath sought audience 
 here of the gods for a hundred years or more. Sit thou 
 in the chair, oh Queen, while I make ready for that which 
 must be done." 
 
 As Maev seated herself the hood fell back, leaving her 
 yellow hair, bound about her brow by a fillet of gold, free 
 to fall upon her shoulders. The cloak of black was 
 fastened at the throat with a great brooch of gold, and 
 gold bosses bordered the hem. A light dress of flaming 
 scarlet enclosed her body, and on her arms were broad 
 bangles of dull red gold. 
 
 For a long time the druid knelt in the circle of those 
 petrified priests who had held his office aforetime,
 
 186 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 muttering prayer after prayer. After awhile he ceased mut- 
 tering and knelt in absolute silence. Presently he crawled 
 forward and placed a dish of bronze, filled with white 
 powder, at the feet of the Queen. As he knelt with arms 
 upraised and eyes staring up into the gloom above, he 
 muttered : 
 
 "Oh, thou who dwellest on the wings of power under 
 the shadow of knowledge, hear and answer. 
 
 "Oh, thou in thy high place, the holy fire rises to wake 
 thee from thy slumber." 
 
 He bent and poured water from a phial on to the 
 powder. Instantly a dense white smoke rose and hung in 
 a cloud some six inches above the dish. For fully a 
 minute the cloud remained stationary, and then a long 
 finger drifted out into the still air, and a spiral of smoke 
 wound itself about the old man's hips. Slowly it circled 
 round his breast and shoulders and then darted in at his 
 open mouth, and lo, as he seemed to draw it deep down 
 into his lungs, the smoke changed to a white, blazing 
 flame. 
 
 Slowly the priest rose to his feet and let his arms drop, 
 and as they dropped the spiral of flame vanished and 
 the fire sank down in the dish. 
 
 Maev leaned forward watching intently ; her left hand 
 grasped one arm of the chair, her right elbow rested on 
 the other, her chin supported on the back of her right 
 hand. 
 
 ' ' Light above ! fire hath been drunk for thee ! light 
 rises to thee ! ' ' Up shot the withered old arms and the 
 flame followed them, shining on his naked sides, and the 
 gold ornaments on the scarlet underhand, through the 
 openings in his robe. 
 
 " Glory of the Beyond! send light into our darkness!" 
 He dropped his arms and the flame died down, and now 
 he threw himself upon the ground, crying : 
 
 " Thou who sittest above the lesser lights, shed thy 
 wisdom upon us," and as he cried it seemed in that dim 
 place as though the kneeling figures of stone bowed their 
 heads yet lower upon their breasts.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 187 
 
 And now as the druid lay silent, the fire in the dish 
 died out and the torches sank and gave no light. 
 
 Mysterious flutterings and sighings echoed round the 
 walls of the chamber in the pitch darkness, but no human 
 sound was heard. 
 
 Maev stared straight ahead of her into the gloom, and 
 presently she saw a faint nebulous light growing and 
 glowing at the far end of the chamber. As it drifted 
 towards her it assumed no mortal shape, but rather the 
 aura of a human body. 
 
 Over the prostrate priest it hovered, and as he rose it 
 seemed to descend and cloak him like the glow of his own 
 life shining around his living body in the place of death. 
 
 Presently the lips of the druid moved in speech, but it 
 was not the druid's voice that issued from them, saying: 
 
 " What seekest thou of the immortals, thou mortal who 
 yet shall put on immortality?" 
 
 Maev trembled and sank to her knees, and with her 
 head bowed down to the very dust, she murmured : 
 
 " All-Father, Terrible, Mighty, Mystical yet Merciful, 
 hear thy servant." 
 
 ' I hear my servant." 
 
 " Lord of Light, bless thy servant and grant knowledge 
 of coming battle and of thy servant's fate." 
 
 " Sleep and dream; the Morrigan chooses the slain, and 
 Fedelma from the fairy mound of Croghan weaves the 
 loom of fate, but thou shalt come back whoever falls. It 
 is enough?" 
 
 And now it seemed to Maev that the light faded from 
 its outline about the druid's body, and she herself slept; 
 and as she slept, she dreamed that she was already riding 
 in her chariot at the head of the host towards Ulster, but 
 ever as they marched, sweet music sounded before them 
 until at last a wonderful maiden clad in green stood in the 
 centre of the road and sang. As she sang she worked a 
 fabric upon a loom with a shuttle of gold, but that which 
 she sang, no man might understand. It seemed to Maev 
 that she asked of the maiden her name and what was the 
 task at which she worked. 
 
 " I am Fedelma," replied the maiden, " and I weave 
 Erin together against Ulster."
 
 188 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " I go up against Ulster at the head of a mighty host," 
 Maev seemed to hear herself say. 
 
 " Yes, but the host is scarlet as with blood, blood which 
 shall be spilt by the Watcher of the Ford, a young, dark 
 man, yet very terrible," said Fedelma. 
 
 Presently Maev awakened to find herself back in the 
 chair and the torches alight on either hand, but the old 
 druid lay still as a corpse at her feet, nor could she at 
 first awaken him; but at last he stirred, sat up, and seeing 
 where he was, started violently. Then he arose, and 
 without a word made his way out of the chamber, signing 
 to Maev to follow him. 
 
 When they reached the druid's dwelling Maev turned 
 to him. 
 
 " Well, what is the interpretation of thy words, and 
 my dream?" 
 
 " Nay, Queen, if the Great Ones spake through my 
 mouth, thou alone knowest their words, but if thou wilt 
 tell them to me and that dream thou speakest of, I will 
 try to make the matter plain." 
 
 " After thou hadst fallen into a trance," replied Maev, 
 " a shape of light appeared and seemed to glow about thy 
 form asking me through thy lips w y hat I, a mortal who 
 should yet put on immortality, sought of the immortals. 
 I answered, ' Knowledge of coming battle and mine own 
 fate,' then thy lips didst make reply, ' Sleep and dream, 
 the Morrigan chooses the slain, and Fedelma from the 
 fairy mound of Croghan weaves the loom of Fate, but thou 
 shalt come back whoever falls.' After this the light faded 
 and I dreamed that Fedelma stood before my chariot, and 
 behind me was the host. Fedelma told me that she 
 weaved all Erin for the cattle raid into Ulster, but the 
 host appeared to her through a mist of blood because of a 
 certain dark man who watched the fords." 
 
 For a while the druid thought, and then he spoke. 
 
 " It seemeth to me, oh Queen, that no harm shall 
 befall thee in this quest, but to thy great host the worst 
 may well befall if the prophetess Fedelma hath seen it 
 through a mist of blood. But of the Watcher of the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AX 189 
 
 Fords I know nothing. It may be that he is an outland 
 warrior upon whom the Curse of Macha may not fall, but 
 more likely he is of the Immortals, for no one man may 
 hold thy force at bay." 
 
 And now Maev awakened Fuamnach, who had fallen 
 into a troubled sleep while she waited in that eerie room 
 lor the Queen, and together they returned to the dun 
 unobserved. 
 
 Next morning when Maev met Fergus she said to him : 
 " Say, Fergus, what man is there in Ulster who is young 
 and dark, known as Watcher of the Fords, and also is 
 powerful enough to hold our host in check?" 
 
 Fergus thought for a while before he said : 
 
 " Nay, Maev, none hold that title; but of Cuchulain it 
 was prophesied at his birth that he should keep the fords 
 and right the people's wrongs, but Cuchulain is far away 
 over seas or he had been with us now. None the less, 
 did Cuchulain fight for Ulster, he would champion their 
 cause as none other may, nor would Ferdia fight against 
 him, and I myself should be loth to meet him in battle, 
 for I love the lad dearly as an only son." 
 
 At this moment Ferdia joined them, and with him 
 was Maev's daughter Findabair. Now it must be told 
 that there was an understanding between these two, for 
 they loved each other, but no marriage promise had been 
 made, since the Queen did not look with favour upon a 
 union between the Princess of Connacht and Ferdia of 
 the Firbolgs. 
 
 The days following the Great Council passed quickly in 
 warlike exercises and manoeuvres, and on the morning of 
 the ninth day, the great host marched from Rathcrogan 
 in two columns in a blinding snowstorm, the one com- 
 manded by Ailell, and the other under Maev and Fergus. 
 
 The column under Ailell was to pass North of the Slieve 
 Gamp and Lough Allen, and the other to the South of 
 the Mountains and the Loch, and both should concentrate 
 at Cuilcagh on the tenth morning after setting out from 
 Rathcrogan.
 
 100 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Even allowing for delays upon the way, this programme 
 would bring them within striking distance of their objective 
 in ample time to take full advantage of the Ultonian 
 debility, after spies had been sent forward to see that the 
 Curse of Macha really worked, as Fergus and his fellow- 
 exiles from Ulster prophesied that it would do.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 101 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 NOT long after the great fight in the hall of the Lord of 
 Lusca and the wedding of Cuchulain with Emer, three 
 figures came dimly up the long way to the hero's home 
 at Murthemney, at the door of which Dectera stood scat- 
 tering grain to the birds, for an early snow had fallen. 
 
 She looked up at the sound of the approaching hoofs 
 and chariot wheels, but in this stalwart, goodly young 
 man, who handled his pair of horses so deftly, she failed 
 to recognise that little lad her son who had set out 
 from Emain Macha so long ago, and Emer, who stood 
 by his side, she had never seen before. Soon, however, 
 she recognised " Black Sainglend " and " the Grey of 
 Macha," and then Laeg as he peered forward over his 
 master's shoulder. 
 
 For a moment she stood gazing, and then, as realisation 
 came to her that her son had come home, and by his side 
 stood a strange woman, she caught her hands to her 
 mouth, with a little cry, half -gladness, half-sorrow 
 gladness because Cuchulain had returned at long last, 
 and sadness for very mother-jealousy of the girl who rode 
 in his chariot, smiling so proudly and possessively upon 
 him. 
 
 " Greeting to thee, mother," Cuchulain shouted as he 
 eased his horses to a standstill. " Hast thou a welcome 
 for thy son and his wife?" 
 
 At that word " wife " Dectera started. Could this 
 sweet-faced girl be that terrible woman-warrior Aifa of 
 whom Ferdia had brought such strange tales from the 
 Land of Shadows? 
 
 For a moment she doubted, and then mother-love con- 
 quering mother scruples, she said quietly: "Welcome, 
 indeed, my son and my daughter ! Welcome to 
 Murthemney !" 
 
 Dectera came forward to the chariot, and because ahe
 
 192 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 saw bow sweetly the young wife stood under the frosty 
 sun, and because she bad once been a bride herself, she 
 bent and kissed Emer, and as they kissed she knew that 
 jealousy was dead between them for ever, and so she 
 gave her hand to Cuchulain's wife and led her into the 
 house. 
 
 Thus Emer came home to the house of her husband 
 with great joy and lasting peace in her soul, bringing with 
 her happiness and content to all within the place. 
 
 Days passed into weeks; Agnoman had arrived with 
 all Cuchulain's fighting tail from overseas, and Cuchulain 
 himself was fain to go to Emain Macha to see how it fared 
 with Conall of the Victories, but his mother dissuaded 
 him, and after she had told him all the story of the 
 slaying of the sons of Usna and the taking of Deirdre, 
 which had caused her to withdraw from the Court, he 
 swore that he would go to the Court of King Conor no 
 more. 
 
 And now quietness settled on Murthemney. War 
 called no more to the hero, and no word came from 
 Conall, but the call of his wife's love echoed ever in his 
 ears, binding him to his home in many subtle ways. Day 
 by day they drove or rode or walked the pleasant fields 
 together, until it almost seemed the sword would be 
 hammered out to shape a plough-share; and every day 
 they found some fresh content in their companionship, for 
 their love was big and strong and simple, like the great 
 rugged hills of their native land, and their minds were 
 simple too. And in the new-made wife was no silly 
 coquetry, asking lover's speech and lip-service, for she 
 knew that a brief word here and a muttered sentence there 
 served as plain interpretation of the lasting love this 
 strong, silent husband of hers bore for her. Not in the 
 spoken word, but rather in the meeting of eyes and the 
 touching of hands was their love tale told. 
 
 Moreover, Emer knew that when the faring-out came, 
 as come it must whether it early be or late she would 
 let her man go forth with never a word to stay him from 
 the fight. Through bloodshed and strife he had won 
 her, and through bloodshed and strife she had learned 
 
 I
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 193 
 
 that man's work is the open fighting in the battle of life, 
 while the women wait and pray at home, telling the 
 dread tale of the unfought fight over and over to them- 
 selves as they pray. So she had grown to feel that she 
 would rather see Cuchulam carried in on a bed of spears 
 than giving to love in idleness and ease the years of 
 toil and fighting to which he had been born. And still 
 the call came not, but day by day Cuchulain's fighting 
 tail grew sleek and well-seeming as they recovered from 
 the effects of that year spent in captivity, and from the 
 trials of the long sea voyage. 
 
 At last Conall of the Victories sent word from Emain 
 Macha that the King had received him well, and in his 
 heart seemed glad that Cuchulain had come home in time 
 to claim his bride. In his message he told them of the 
 death of Deirdre and what he knew of the shameful 
 betrayal of Naisi and his brethren. He added that in 
 spite of these things, he should stand by Conor Mac Nessa 
 for the present, as there were rumours of a great hosting 
 of the men of Erin hi which unfortunately Prince Cormac, 
 Fergus Mac Roy and Ferdia were said to be concerned. 
 
 Cuchulain sent back a message begging Conall to join 
 him at Murthemney, and saying that he would fight for 
 no forsworn man, the which he held Conor to be. 
 
 More days passed and still no call to arms rang through 
 the land, although the rumours of the great hosting of 
 Maev grew more persistent day by day. 
 
 Returning late one afternoon from a long walk over the 
 hills with Emer, Cuchulain found his mother in close 
 converse with a great bearded bodach. Finding them 
 thus he hesitated on the threshold, undecided whether he 
 should enter or return quietly to the hall. Looking up, 
 Dectera saw him, and said : 
 
 " Enter, my son, here is thy father, Sualtam, bearing 
 tidings for tb.ee." 
 
 Cuchulain entered and with him Emer his wife, giving 
 greetings to Sualtam, who dwelt on the borders of Ulster 
 not far from Cuilcagh. 
 
 For a while they sat and talked of Cuchulain's wander- 
 ings overseas, but presently Sualtam said : 
 
 N
 
 194 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " A great host under Ailell and Maev begins to gather 
 at Cuilcagh, and thou alone, Cuchulain, art able to march 
 to hold them by the fords, for the Ultonian debility falls 
 upon all the warriors of Ulster in this their hour of 
 greatest need. King Conor, Owen of Ferney and Conall 
 Be writhing in pain at Emain Macha, Prince Cuscrid is 
 prostrate in his island fortress, and the son of Uthecar 
 Hornskin Cetcher, the great grey warrior, is so helpless 
 he cannot raise his sword." 
 
 " How is it then that the Curse of Macha falls not on 
 thee and me?" Cuchulain asked. 
 
 Before Sualtam could answer Dectera spoke. 
 
 " Ask not too closely of this matter," she said. 
 " Sualtam is immune because he is not Ulster born, but 
 thou, my son, must wait to learn why the curse falls not 
 on thee." 
 
 " It matters not," said Cuchulain, " f or I fight no more 
 for Conor Mac Nessa the oath-breaker." 
 
 " Yet thou wilt surely fight for Ulster?" asserted 
 Dectera. 
 
 " No. I lift no sword in the King's quarrel unless it 
 be in defence of mine own dwelling." 
 
 And now Laeg the Charioteer spoke from the door 
 where he had stood and listened to the conversation 
 unobserved. 
 
 " Master, Ultonia needs thee ! Soon when the debility 
 shall pass, the King for King he is though he be thrice 
 forsworn shall summon his levy. Steel-clad shoulders 
 shall shine when the trumpets blare for battle, chariots 
 shall sweep to and fro as the fighting men are marshalled. 
 Soon the Red Branch Knights ride down with sword at 
 thigh and spear in hand. Shall it be said that the Glory 
 of Ireland, the Hound of Ulster, refrained from the rising 
 out and left the Boy Corps to bear the brunt of battle 
 alone ? 
 
 "Look up, Lord! Look up and raise thy head I 
 Winter comes, the long, cold days descend; storm clouds, 
 pregnant with trouble loom in the skies and on the horizon 
 of our lives. What, hath Cuchulain grown woman-soft 
 through days of inglorious ease? Doth weak lassitude
 
 THE HOUNJ) OF CULLAN 195 
 
 hold back strong limbs from the defence of hearth and 
 home? 
 
 Rise then, Cuchulain! rise! and gird thy armour on! 
 Foes come and none stand to bar the way ! Wilt thou 
 condemn a thousand thousand innocents, who had no part 
 in Conor's cursed work, to sword and flame V " 
 
 And still Cuchulain sat in his chair obstinate and 
 unwilling, while around him waited anxiously his kith 
 and kin. Still he sat on, brooding moodily, his gaze 
 fixed on the fire, seeing, who shall say, what pictures? 
 until the thunder of approaching hoofs brought them all 
 to their feet. 
 
 ' What now?" queried Emer as she peered out through 
 the window into the gathering gloom. 
 
 The hoof -beats ceased and almost immediately a serving 
 man entered the room, saying: 
 
 " A messenger from Cullan the Smith at his dun in 
 Quelgny craves audience of the Lord Cuchulain." 
 
 " Admit him instantly," ordered Dectera, and to them 
 there entered a weary, staggering man. His clothes were 
 torn and muddy, his spurs were corroded with blood, and 
 across his forehead was a great gash where the horse had 
 fallen and flung him against a rock; the blood had caked 
 till the sweat had cut the cake again, his breath 
 came in great sobbing gasps. Sualtam poured a flagon 
 of wine and handed it to him; the fellow drank greedily, 
 striving to speak between the gulps, but, " Take thy 
 time, take thy time, man!" said Sualtam. 
 
 With the last drops of the draught sparkling on his 
 beard and the flagon still in his hand, the messenger 
 turned to Cuchulain and said : 
 
 "Thou who art called ' Hound of Cullan,' the Lord 
 Cullan bids me say to thee, ' Once thou didst swear at 
 parting to give me succour in the hour of danger if in my 
 dire need I should send word bidding thee come. To-day 
 a vast host assembles at our borders ; at their head march 
 Ailell and Maev, intent on the capture of the Brown Bull 
 of Quelgny and on the rape of Ulster. Last night ft 
 raiding party crossed the river and carried off women, 
 children and cattle from a lonely farm. This morning's
 
 196 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 dawn shows the bodach crucified upon a barn-door. Mine 
 own dun lies on the road, the host must follow ; come, 
 then, I beg thee, come for the honour of Ultonia and the 
 love that lay between us in the dead years. ' ' 
 
 A murmur ran about upon the lips of the listeners, but 
 stilled to silence as Cuchulain lifted his hand and let it 
 drop in a little helpless gesture. 
 
 "Feed, thou, and rest awhile," said he to the mes- 
 senger, " and then, taking heart o'luck, mount a fresh 
 beast and ride as though the underworld were at thy heels 
 to Cullan, saying : ' Cuchulain comes and with him all his 
 fighting tail.' Laeg, see thou to this man's wants and 
 bid Agnoman sound the horn to summon up the fighting 
 men." 
 
 The note of the bugle sounding without was quickly 
 followed by the rush of scurrying feet as the men donned 
 their armour and hurried out to the assembly. Soon old 
 Agnoman stood within the door. 
 
 " The men are ready, Lord; what next?" 
 
 " This, Agnoman, we march to Quelgny to meet a 
 mighty host, how great I know not. See that each man 
 is well armed and carries with him two days' food. If 
 thou canst obtain food from the country on the march, do 
 so, keeping the food ye carry untouched against an 
 emergency. Thou wilt march from here to Quelgny at 
 the greatest speed which will allow the men to arrive 
 there in good fighting trim." Then turning to Sualtam 
 he said: " Say, father, wilt thou guide Agnoman on the 
 road my men must follow?" 
 
 " Willingly will I act as guide." 
 
 " Good, then I start for Quelgny within the hour. 
 Laeg, make ready my arms and harness the horses to the 
 chariot. ' ' 
 
 " It shall be done, Lord, with all speed." 
 
 " Mother, wilt thou send messengers to Emain Macha 
 to Conall of the Victories, saying, ' I go to Quelgny, and 
 thence to the river north of Cuilcagh, where it flows from 
 the hills. If I am driven back from there I shall retire to 
 the second river where it shallows to the ford north of 
 Lough Erne!' Bid Conall come as soon as may be, by
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 187 
 
 way of Monaghau and Fermanagh, so that he may fall 
 upon the right flank of Maev's host as I hold them at the 
 ford. King Conor may follow what counsel pleaseth him 
 best, I care not." 
 
 Laeg and the messenger had already left the room when 
 Dectera, Sualtam and Agnoman went out to perform their 
 various tasks, leaving Cuchulain and Emer alone, and 
 now these two talked for a while. 
 
 " Days of peace and joy have been ours, sweet," said 
 Cuchulnin; " days of strife and trouble draw on apace, 
 and the sorrow of parting is almost as keen as the death 
 in which it well may end. In the midst of a sea of blood 
 we found our love, and in the midst of a sea of blood shall 
 I go from thee. Often have I said that death is good, but 
 I think now it were better never to have been born at all, 
 for then the bitterness of sorrow at parting is unknown. Yet 
 we are born into the world, we know not whence; we live 
 our little day, buffeted hither and thither, doing what seem 
 to us mighty deeds and suffering our small great sorrows ; 
 and towards the end of the story, if the Allfather deigns 
 to grant us length of days, it is our lot to sit useless in 
 the chimney corner o 'nights babbling garrulously of 
 mighty deeds we did in our youth, objects of scorn to 
 those who grew from our own bodies to fill our places 
 when the air shall close in and we pass beyond, we know 
 not whither." 
 
 " Yet though all men pass hence at long last, 
 Cuchulain, the warrior's name remains in song and story 
 for the skalds to tell when the arms that wrought the 
 deeds and earned the fame are withered in earth." 
 
 " A name, my Emer; a name ! sayest thou? And hast 
 thou thought how many must go widowed and fatherless, 
 sorrowing through life for those who have fallen sacrificed 
 to the making of that name? For know this, sweet my 
 may; men climb but to power on the corpses of the slain, 
 and the higher one climbs, the thicker foes spring up and 
 the greater is the fall when all the tale is told. Then 
 one day death invades us, and maybe death is a welcome 
 guest, as we sink down into earth, murmuring ' More we 
 would, but death ends all,' and at long last, when the
 
 198 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Morrigan hath claijned us, what is that name of which 
 we have been so proud? Naught but a breeze blowing 
 out of the West from which skalds shall fashion a word 
 with their tongues to pass the time o 'nights in the ingle 
 by the fire-side with tales of long ago in which the name 
 re-echoes. The tale shall please truly, and be known, but 
 what may the listeners know of that man who b*ore the 
 name, of his mind, his soul, of the motives which inspired 
 him to the deeds, the story of which holds the listeners 
 spell-bound?" 
 
 ' Yet there is love ! for though all things end in death 
 and mighty deeds leave behind but an empty name 
 stripped of its soul, for as thou sayest, the soul which 
 lightens the winter's tale, like a sudden gleam of sunlight 
 striking on troubled seas from behind banked clouds, is 
 not the soul of the hero of whom the tale is told, but 
 rather the soul of the skald striking vibrant notes from 
 the inner consciousness of his audience still, I think 
 love outlasts all, and lives in a place beyond, w r hither we 
 go to dwell in peace, or perchance to fight again in some 
 future life." 
 
 Thus they talked for awhile as Emer sat with her hand 
 in Cuchulain's and her head resting upon his breast, but 
 presently he gathered her up in his arms, and, setting her 
 lips to his they kissed long and sweetly. When he would 
 have put her down she clung close about his neck, for 
 ROW she knew that the hour of parting was come. 
 
 And now Laeg came in, carrying with him his master's 
 byrnie and helm and his great sword and shield ; but when 
 he went to put them on Cuchulain, Emer would not suffer 
 him, saying that it was her right to robe her lord for 
 battle. The sword she girded about his middle, and the 
 helm bound upon his head, and then, taking his face 
 between her hands, she kissed him on the lips and brow, 
 saying as she did so, " Go now, husband, but say no more 
 words lest tears overcome me and flow down." 
 
 So he left her with patient eyes of love and longing, 
 gazing on the door as it closed, shutting him out from 
 her vision. In the porch the old mother awaited him ; she
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 1W 
 
 too kissed him, bidding him return with honour alive, or, 
 yet still with honour, upon the spears of his warriors. 
 
 Laeg led the splendid horses up to the door, and 
 Cuchulain, mounting the chariot, drove away into the 
 night. On the way he passed his own men with Sualtam 
 and Agnoman at their head, and as he passed, cheer upon 
 cheer travelled up the marching column as the soldiers 
 lifted high their javelins and swords, shouting: "Luck 
 go with thee, Cuchulain, thou glory of the land and sea." 
 For these, be it remembered, had been with him in his 
 faring overseas. 
 
 On his arrival at Quelgny Cuchulain found all the men 
 folk in great agony, labouring under the Curse of Macha, 
 so that he could get no word from them of the approach 
 of the host under Maev. He searched round and about 
 all the place to see if he could find the women folk or 
 possibly one man unaffected by the debility. Presently 
 he found a slight, red-headed fellow sleeping peacefully in 
 a corner. Seeing him thus at rest, Cuchulain suspected 
 him for a spy, and, fancying no nice methods with such, 
 he caught the fellow by the collar of his smock, and with 
 one heave set him upon his feet. 
 
 " What is thy business here, fellow?" he asked. 
 " Quick now, no lies." 
 
 " Aye, master, I were asleep!" drawled the red-head, 
 rubbing his eyes, but none the less regarding his captor 
 keenly the while. 
 
 " Come, answer my question, and that right quickly," 
 commanded Cuchulain, shaking his prisoner roughly. 
 
 " Eh? My mind be mazed in dreams like, for I 
 thought I dreamed something about a hound of Ulster," 
 said the fellow, looking at Cuchulain through a fringe of 
 ragged hair which the rough handling had shaken before 
 his eyes. 
 
 ' Uni," said Laeg, who was standing by, " it seems 
 to me thou hadst best collect thy wits lest hounds' teeth 
 worry thee and make an end of thee." 
 
 "I am Cuchulain," said the hero, who ever liked 
 (iireetnesa in all things, " it' Oiou bust audit to snv, say 
 it!"
 
 200 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 At this word the man dropped his* pretence of rustic 
 stupidity. 
 
 If thou art indeed the Lord Cuchulain, one called 
 Fergus sends greeting, bidding me say that by to-morrow's 
 noon he passes the pillar stone of Ardcullen with certain 
 friends of his." 
 
 Now this pillar was south of Cuilcagh, and in no favour- 
 able spot for a small force to make a stand, nor, for that 
 matter, could Cuchulain hope for his men to arrive in 
 time to give battle at that place. Yet with the enemy so 
 near he must find some means of delaying them. For 
 awhile he thought and then ordered Laeg to drive him to 
 the woods of Ardcullen. As they drove he laughed, for 
 he had hit upon an ingenious scheme for delaying the 
 host, and knowing by Fergus' message that he bore him 
 good will, he counted upon his help in this, for he had in 
 mind a trick known to few which Fergus had taught him 
 when he was a little lad at the Court of Emania. 
 
 At Ardcullen he went into the wood and, standing on 
 one leg, with one eye shut and his left arm crossed behind 
 bis back, he lopped a branch of oak, and, still standing on 
 one leg and using only one hand, he twisted the branch 
 into a circular withe, on which he carved in Ogham 
 writing a description of the method he had employed in 
 fashioning it, and ended: "It is geise for the host of 
 Queen Maev to pass this spot until a follower of hers 
 other than Fergus Mac Koy hath accomplished the feat 
 I have to-day performed." He then hung the withe 
 around the pillar stone of Ardcullen, where it was bound 
 to attract the eyes of Maev's advanced scouts next day. 
 This done, he scouted forward with Laeg, until, from the 
 top of a high hill, he could see in the distance the glow 
 of the camp fires of the enemy. So great was their 
 number that it seemed the plain was on fire as far as the 
 eye could reach. 
 
 Now when Cuchulain realised from the glimmering fire 
 points far below him the vastness of the host which was 
 coming against Ulster, he turned swiftly about and drove 
 back at speed to meet the slender three hundred he had 
 gathered on his tray els from every corner of tha earth.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 301 
 
 After a long drive he met them, still marching on 
 through the night. Bidding them halt and rest, he took 
 Agnoman on one side and told him his plans and bade 
 him take the men with all speed to the banks of the 
 River Derg, five miles North of Lough Erne, and opposite 
 the valley which narrowed right down to where it touched 
 the banks of the lake. 
 
 When the men resumed their march, Sualtam would 
 have gone with them, but Cuchulain restrained him, 
 bidding him mount up into the chariot instead. As they 
 drove along, he explained that they were going to find a 
 swift horse in order that Sualtam might ride to Emain 
 Macha to tell King Conor that between 50,000 and 60,000 
 men of Erin marched against him, and that Cuchulain 
 and his men would hold them back as long as might be 
 in the narrow pass between the hill of Erne and the foot- 
 hills at the south-eastern end of the Donegal Mountains, 
 but that Cuchulain might not deny the pass to them for 
 long, so that the Ultonians must rise out swiftly if they 
 would save their land. 
 
 In time they came to a farm where a good horse was 
 found, and after seeing Sualtam started on his journey, 
 Cuchulain drove back to a concealed spot near Cuilcagh, 
 where he might lay in wait for the scouts of Maev. 
 
 The hiding place he chose was a little copse of fir trees 
 on a rising knoll of land, from which a wide view of the 
 surrounding country could be obtained. Behind him the 
 rugged ground rolled upwards to 800 feet or more; on 
 either side the hills sloped away, on the left almost to the 
 banks of the Upper Erne, and on the right to Lough 
 Melvin, ten miles away; below him the waters of a little 
 lough sparkled and laughed in the reflected rays of the 
 early morning sun, and straight ahead over the gently 
 rising plain ran the road, bleak and deserted, until it 
 narrowed to a bare streak and finally disappeared between 
 the hills which lay around Lough Allen, twelve or fifteen 
 miles away, at which spot, although he knew it not, the 
 host of Ailell was even then resting and awaiting news of 
 the column under Maev and Fergus, which was marching 
 north of th SliT Gamp and the lough.
 
 202 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Presently out of the nothingness of the road, points of 
 light appeared glittering and sparkling intermittently in 
 thjg shimmer of the winter sun. Seen one minute and 
 lost the next, Cuchulain watched the flashes until they 
 resolved themselves into one dark speck moving rapidly 
 forward along the whiteness of the road. The speck grew 
 to a black blotch, and the blotch to a pair of horses 
 drawing a fast-driven chariot bearing an armed warrior 
 and his driver. Half an hour passed and they were so 
 close that every point of equipment could be seen and 
 appreciated. At last they reached the river bank, and 
 entered the water, picking their way slowly and carefully 
 across the ford. With a shout the driver urged his team 
 up the steep North bank strewn with stones, on one of 
 which the near-side horse set his foot and came crashing 
 to ground, dragging his companion with him. 
 
 For a moment they heaved and kicked with the chariot 
 half in and half out of the water, and then regained their 
 feet and stood trembling. The warrior and his charioteer 
 jumped out into the shallow water and walked ashore ; for 
 a moment they stood in deep consultation, the warrior 
 pointing first to the chariot and then to the wood, in 
 which Cuchulain lay hidden, while the driver nodded his 
 head in comprehending answer. Presently the fighting 
 man made off along the river bank to the left, and the 
 charioteer bent over the traces before leading his fright- 
 ened animals up on to the grassland bordering the shelving 
 ledge of rock. Then Cuchulain saw the cause of the 
 delay, for the chariot pole was broken. 
 
 Tethering the horses to a tree hard by, the man walked 
 across to the wood, which he entered and, drawing his 
 short sword, set to work to fell a short but stout fir 
 sapling, whistling the while. The noise of the falling 
 blows, combined with the music he made, served to hide 
 the sound of Cuchulain's approach; presently, however, 
 the charioteer stood up to wipe the sweat out of his eyes 
 with the back of his hand, and was surprised to see a 
 dark, stern-looking man observing his labours. 
 
 " Who art thou, and what dost thou here?" asks 
 Cuchulain,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 203 
 
 ' ' I am the charioteer of the Prince Arlam, son of King 
 Ailell," says the man, " but we have broken our chariot 
 pole by this accursed ford, so that I must fashion a new 
 one, while my master chases a famous stag that is said 
 to range free in these parts." 
 
 " Ah," says Cuchulain, " it would lighten matters were 
 I to help thee," and so saying he picks up the sapling the 
 man has felled, and with no visible effort, trims off the 
 young branches in an amazingly short space of time. 
 
 " It seems to me thou wert better employed as a man- 
 at-arms than in the fashioning of chariot poles," observes 
 the man. 
 
 To this Cuchulain makes no reply, but presently he 
 says : " I would learn more of this stag thy master follows, 
 for I too have been a hunter in my time." 
 
 " Well, thou seest," replies the driver, "it is a stag 
 that sometimes assumes the shape of a dog, as I hear, and 
 then it is called the Hound of Ulster." 
 
 ' Um," says Cuchulain, " and what will thy master 
 do if he finds this strange beast?" 
 
 " Of a surety he will strike off its head," says the man. 
 
 "Ah, then," laughs Cuchulain, "it is time I was 
 jogging, for I am that very hound that Arlam is seeking." 
 
 With a cry the charioteer springs to his feet and makes 
 off along the river bank after his master as fast as his feet 
 can carry him, but Cuchulain whistles up Laeg, who is 
 waiting near with his chariot, and together they thunder 
 away after the man. Him they pass and never heed, but 
 soon they spy Arlam, and as he turns to see who passes, 
 Cuchulain leans from the chariot, and with one blow of 
 his sword he sweeps the Prince's head from his shoulders; 
 the head is picked up and, driving back, Cuchulain pitches 
 it to the terrified charioteer, bidding him fit the new pole 
 to the chariot in peace, and then drive back to Ailell 
 bearing the Prince's head as a present from the Watcher 
 of the Fords. 
 
 Careful questioning elicited from the man the routes 
 by which the spoilers were marching, as well as the fact 
 that the host had been split into two columns, which 
 should meet at Cuilcagh that very day. Having also
 
 204 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 gathered from this man that Ailell waited on the banks 
 of Lough Allen for news of the column under Maev and 
 Fergus, which should by now be well to the north-east 
 of the Curlew Mountains, Cuchulain decided to drive in 
 that direction. 
 
 To the west of Lough Allen the hills open through a 
 narrow pass on to the plain beyond, and here it was that 
 Cuchulain arrived just in time to meet two of Maev's 
 chariots driving abreast and about to enter the defile. 
 When they saw him, the charioteers reined in their horses, 
 uncertain what to do, but Cuchulain did not hesitate. 
 
 " Straight at them, Laeg!" he ordered, and in an 
 instant the great war car was thundering down upon the 
 astounded foe. Instinctively they opened out to let him 
 through, but too late; already he was upon them and his 
 whirling wheels tore a wheel from a chariot on either hand 
 as he burst clear. The shock had been terrific, so great 
 that the warriors on either side clung to the woodwork of 
 their vehicles, not daring to leave go to use either sword 
 or battle axe, and so tremendous was the pace at which 
 Laeg had urged the horses along, that a hundred yards 
 were covered after the impact before he could bring them 
 to a standstill. 
 
 " What now, Lord?" he queried. 
 
 " Round and back," Cuchulain ordered; " I would have 
 speech of these men." 
 
 " Soldiers of Erin," he said, when he came up to the 
 spot where they stood gloomily surveying their wrecked 
 chariots, " ye have come up a mighty host against 
 Ultonia, thinking to find the land defenceless, but instead 
 ye have found a champion who may serve Ultonia 's needs 
 until the Ultonian debility is passed. This tale shalt 
 thou bear to Queen Maev if any go from this place alive, 
 for it seems that some blows should be struck ere we 
 part." So saying, he stepped from his chariot and stood 
 on guard waiting for the two warriors to attack him, nor 
 were they loth, thinking they had but a youth to deal with. 
 The fight raged back and forth and ever Cuchulain had 
 the better of it. Now it so happened that one of the 
 charioteers of Erin loved his master dearly, and seeing
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 205 
 
 him Like to be worsted by th Ulsterman, he drew his long 
 knife and crept forward to plunge it into Cuchulain's 
 back, but Laeg too loved his lord, and seeing the fellow's 
 intention, he snatched a javelin from the chariot and, 
 hurling it with all his might, pinned the assassin to the 
 earth, and then with his blood thoroughly up, he drew his 
 sword and fell upon the other, whom he slew quickly. 
 
 Meanwhile Cuchulain had cut down one of his oppon- 
 ents and so seriously wounded the other that he soon 
 gasped out his last breath as the blood spurted from a 
 severed vessel. 
 
 Then followed some grim work, utterly repugnant to 
 the hero, but needs must when the one fights the many. 
 Soon the heads were lopped from the corpses and bound 
 to the chariot wheels. 
 
 ' Where now, Lord?" asked Laeg. 
 
 " Straight on out into the open plain ! " 
 
 Once in the open they saw the whole of the half host of 
 Maev resting in a great line of companies as they ate their 
 morning meal. 
 
 Laeg looked up at his master with questioning, awe- 
 struck eyes, but for all answer, Cuchulain took the reina 
 firmly into his own hands, and turning the team to the 
 right, drove steadily towards the foe; within two hundred 
 yards of them he turned left-handed and sent " Black 
 Sainglend " and " the Grey of Macha " thundering along 
 the front of the line, the bloody heads with flying hair 
 making a horrid fringe to the revolving wheels. Near the 
 end of the line, he made a great sweep to the left and 
 clattered away out of sight up the pass. 
 
 " Who in the name of the gods was that charioteer 
 whose wheels seemed to shed blood around?" asked Maev 
 of Fergus as she rushed from her booth to find out why 
 the whole host had so suddenly burst into an uproar. 
 
 " Methinks," answered Fergus, "that must be my 
 little pupil Setanta, who is better known as Cuchulain, 
 now grown into a very great champion. This, Queen, is 
 that Watcher of the Fords of whom Fedelma prophesied 
 to thee."
 
 206 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " If there be but a thousand like him in Ulster, we may 
 find many hard blows and little profit ere we work our 
 will on the land." 
 
 " In that thou speakest sooth," answered Fergus, " for 
 he is more than man, as thou sayest, and the curse of 
 Macha falls not on him." 
 
 While this conversation was going on Cuchulain was 
 driving hard to the ford in the second river north of 
 Lough Erne. Arrived there, he bade Laeg take the 
 heads from the wheels while he cut a four-pronged pole. 
 This he bedded deep in the stream as he stood in his 
 chariot, and on each prong he impaled a gory, battered 
 head, and below them set an Ogham writing, that he had 
 bedded the pole with one hand, standing in his chariot, 
 and it would be geise for any to pass the ford before the 
 pole had been plucked out single-handed by a warrior in 
 a chariot. Next Laeg fetched great rocks, which were 
 piled about the foot of the pole to render the feat more 
 difficult. 
 
 To this day that place is known as Athgowla the Ford 
 of the Forked Pole. 
 
 By this time Cuchulain and Laeg were utterly tired 
 out with their labours. It was therefore with grateful 
 hearts that they saw the blazing fires old Agnoman had 
 caused to be lighted at the bivouac by the Derg. 
 
 All through that night the gentle-fingered snowflakes 
 drifted down, lighting on the earth without sound. 
 Thicker and thicker grew the storm until a man who wan- 
 dered a hundred paces from the tires might well find his 
 death, but not the way back to his comrades. But 
 little the dauntless three hundred recked of the storm, for 
 they lay warm and snug in the circle of shelter the war- 
 wise old warrior had caused them to build, with great fires 
 within and without the ring at every half-score paces. 
 
 But it fared not so well with the great host of Ailell 
 and Maev which had gathered at the Pillar Stone of 
 Ardcullen and thereon found the twisted withe bear- 
 ing the Ogham writing, which was brought to Fergus to 
 decipher. As he read it, he laughed, for, as has already 
 been told, he had himself taught Cuchulain the trick.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 207 
 
 " It is indeed geise for us to pass the Pillar Stone until 
 some one hath emulated Cuchulain's feat," quoth he. So 
 man after man attempted it, but none succeeded, for 
 they had not the trick of it, nor would Fergus tell them 
 how it might be done. 
 
 Angered by the laughter of Fergus, Maev sent for her 
 chief druid to see what he might make of the writing. 
 
 " Fergus is right," asserted the wise man, " yet not 
 altogether right, for the writing is so framed that the 
 geise holds for one night only." 
 
 Hearing this, they refrained from attempting the feat, 
 and spent a miserable night in the snow, for there could 
 not be found wood enough to build either fires or shelters 
 for all that great company. 
 
 At break of day the snow ceased to fall, but so deep 
 did the white carpet lay upon the earth that they were 
 hard put to it to cover ten miles that day. It was not 
 until mid-morning on the day following that they came 
 to Athgowla and found the forked pole and its grisly 
 burden confronting them. 
 
 " Oh, this little Cuchulain." laughed Fergus when the 
 writing was read, " he will be the death of me ! Let him 
 but devise sufficient gazsha and we shall grow old ere 
 ever we see Emain Macha. " 
 
 All day long the great champions of Erin strove to pluck 
 forth the stake, but without success, until the twilight 
 began to fall. All the while Fergus jeered at them, but 
 at last Prince Lewey lost his temper, and, turning to 
 Fergus, he sneered : 
 
 " Art very ready with thy words, Mac Eoy, but per- 
 chance thou knowest the task this youngling hath set us 
 is beyond thy might also, wherefore thou talkest loudly to 
 cover thine own fear to essay the deed." 
 
 "What! art mad, Lewey?" roared Fergus. "Ho, 
 there, my chariot!" 
 
 Still laughing, he drives into the water and lays hold 
 of the pole. The footboards of the chariot groan and 
 creak under the effort he is making, but strive as he will 
 the pole does not move. At last the boards give way
 
 208 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 and Fergus is precipitated into the water and emerges 
 dripping, amidst the yells and jeers of the men of 
 Connacht. 
 
 " A stouter chariot," he yells. " It shall never be said 
 that Fergus failed to undo that which Cuchulain did." 
 
 Fergus strives and tugs; his battle frenzy comes upon 
 him, and the muscles of his neck and the veins of his 
 forehead stand out like knotted whip lashes, but still the 
 pole stirs not. For a moment he pauses to rest, then he 
 draws a great gasping breath and goes to it again; his 
 eyes appear to start from their sockets and his teeth 
 grind together as the steam rises up from his body in the 
 frosty air and the sweat rolls down, but this time he is 
 not to be gainsaid, and at last the pole flies from the bed 
 of the river with a hollow sucking " Plop." 
 
 Maev has stood to watch this feat with a tame squirrel 
 on one shoulder and a pet robin on the other, and now 
 while all men stand and silently marvel at the greatness 
 of the deed, a sling-stone whistles through the air and 
 the squirrel drops dead. Maev turns hastily to seek 
 cover, but before she has moved six paces, a second missile 
 flies and the robin too is killed. There is a gasp of 
 wonder, and then for a moment they see Cuchulain 
 standirfg on the farther shore as he waves his hand and 
 ehouts to Fergus: "Well done, old warrior; but tell 
 Queen Maev not to come too close to my little stone 
 messengers." 
 
 With shouts of fury the soldiers rush down to the ford 
 and that was the death of some, for so great was the 
 press that many were pushed into the deep water, where 
 they were drowned but the way is blocked by Fergus' 
 chariot, and all they hear of Cuchulain is his laughter 
 dying away in the woods. 
 
 The day was now so far gone that it was useless to 
 attempt the passage of the ford, so the host encamped on 
 tiie Southern bank of the river for that night. But there 
 was little peace or sleep for those who had pitched their 
 bivouac nearest to the water's edge, for slung stones and 
 even an occasional light javelin whistled through the 
 air killing or wounding whomsoever they touched.
 
 THE HOUND OF C.ULLAN 209 
 
 Next morning, when the host was ready to move for- 
 ward on the march, Cuchulain appeared on the far bank, 
 preceded by his charioteer bearing a bough as a sign that 
 they came in peace. 
 
 What wantest thou here?" demanded the commander 
 of the guard set over the ford. 
 
 " I crave speech of Queen Maev," answered Cuchulain. 
 
 Presently Queen Maev came down to the ford, accom- 
 panied by Fergus Mac Roy. 
 
 " Queen," said Cuchulain, " I have seen all the might 
 of thy host and full well I know that sooner or later thou 
 must overwhelm me and push forward into this land, and 
 yet there is but one pass by which thou canst come, and 
 that I hold with all my fighting tail, strong and very 
 valiant fighters from overseas untouched by the Curse of 
 Macha, so that it well may be that many shall fall before 
 the pass is freed. Moreover, for the honour of arms, I 
 would engage in single combat the most valiant of thy 
 chieftains here at the ford ere they set foot in Ulster, 
 if that be thy will. If thou wilt grant this my plea, why 
 then, a boon for a boon, Queen Maev. As things are, 
 thou shalt find the passage of the ford hard for man or 
 beast, for I have had time to lay traps below the water; 
 but if thou wilt send thy champions against pie singly, 
 then on the third day I will give back, even though I be 
 not defeated before then." 
 
 " Nay, Cuchulain," answered the Queen, " were it not 
 better that thou shouldst join my host? Bethink thee I 
 all thy friends march under my banner; thy King is for- 
 sworn and an oath breaker who hath driven thine own 
 mother from his court by the very horror of his deeds. 
 Moreover, an' thou wilt join me, no scath shall fall upon 
 Murthemney, and thou and thine shalt have all that heart 
 may desire or eye covet in Connacht or the conquered 
 province of Ulster, and after Fergus, the champion's 
 guerdon shall be thine. Bethink thee well, Cuchulain; 
 Fergus thy instructor aforetime stands here beside me; 
 Cormac, thy King's own son, is in my camp, and with 
 him thy shield brother Ferdia. "
 
 210 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " Lady I this may not be," Cuchulain answered 
 proudly, " for I am Ulster born and bred, and Ulster is 
 to me as her maidenhood to a young girl; my loyalty is 
 mine honour. Full well I know that Fergus, Cormac and 
 Ferdia fight in thy quarrel, and grieved I am to stand 
 against those who are dear to me as mine own flesh and 
 blood; yet Lewey the liar, Lewey the cheat, the poisoner 
 of maids' minds, serves also in thy train, and for him I 
 have not words but blows." 
 
 " How say you, Fergus," asked Maev in a low voice; 
 " were it well to do as he asks?" 
 
 I think well indeed, Maev, since one of us may 
 overcome him in the day, and then it were an easy matter 
 to drive his following, lacking their leader, from the 
 pass." 
 
 ' Well, better to lose a dozen champions if need be, in 
 the hope of a clear road, than to throw a thousand swords- 
 men away in the attempt to force the passage of the 
 hills, ' ' and then she cried across the water to Cuchulain : 
 " Thy plea is granted; we go to choose those who come 
 against thee." 
 
 Throughout that day Cuchulain fought six very valiant 
 warriors one after the other, and each of them he slew or 
 wounded so seriously that they were all unmeet for fight. 
 
 Now two things happened at the end of that day's 
 work, as it was foreordained should come to pass. The 
 first was that as he drove wearily back in his chariot with 
 Laeg, Cuchulain observed another chariot coming towards 
 him driven by a solitary woman clad in a multi-coloured 
 garment. Now he would have passed her by, but she 
 drew her chariot across the road to bar his passage. 
 
 " What wouldst thou with me, maiden? " said 
 Cuchulain wearily. 
 
 " Cuchulain," answered the beautiful girl, " of all men 
 in the world thou art fairest and bravest. Thy valour is 
 sung and told in the North and the South, the East and 
 the West; thy race is high and thy blood royal. It is but 
 meet, therefore, that the love of a king's daughter should 
 be thy guerdon, and such a love do I offer to thee."
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 211 
 
 " Nay, maiden!" answered the hero. " Love is good 
 and fight is good, but each in its own time and place. As 
 thou dost find me I am all spent with war and fighting; 
 mine arms are red to the shoulder with blood, and in my 
 heart is no thought of woman." 
 
 ' Then shall thy fate overtake thee, thou fool!" said 
 the woman bitterly, and even as Cuchulain looked, she 
 vanished from his sight with her chariot and horses, nor 
 did even so much as a wheel mark remain upon the road; 
 only a hoody crow cried harshly from a tree. 
 
 " Now woe worth me," he said, " for we have seen the 
 Morrigan, the chooser of the slain, and, Laeg! I think 
 that death draws nigh." 
 
 The second happening took place in Maev's camp, for 
 she summoned to her Fergus, Ferdia and Loch Mac 
 Mofebis. 
 
 " I fear this strange youth greatly," she said to the 
 champions, " and it is my thought to send ye, my three 
 greatest warriors, up against him on the morrow." 
 
 But " Not yet," said Fergus, and " Not yet," said 
 Ferdia. Loch, however, was of a different mind, and 
 promised to go up against Cuchulain the next morning. 
 Fergus could in no wise be persuaded to change his 
 resolution, so Maev let him depart with Loch, who went 
 to make ready his weapons against the morrow's combat. 
 She kept Ferdia with her talking easily of this matter 
 and the other. Presently she said: " Tell me, Ferdia, 
 what is it thou dost most desire in all the world?" 
 
 " Queen," answered the youth boldly, " above all 
 things I desire first the hand of thy daughter the Princess 
 Findabair." 
 
 ' ' And what wouldst thou do to win the Princess ? ' ' 
 
 " Aught in the world that thou couldst name, Queen." 
 
 " Wilt thou swear that by the oath which may not be 
 broken?" 
 
 " I swear itl" 
 
 " Then thou shalt go up to-morrow against Cuchulain 
 if Loch fails, and in reward the Princess shalt be thine." 
 
 But Ferdiu was sad at this saying, for now he saw, too 
 late, how a clarer woman had entrapped him to fight his
 
 212 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 own shield brother. Yet it must be so, for the unbreak- 
 able oath had been sworn and there was no going back. 
 
 At peep of day, Loch went down to the ford and there 
 he found Cuchulain awaiting him. The combat which 
 immediately ensued was frightful; the waters boiled 
 around their feet as they strove, and anon they were 
 stained red with blood. Cuchulain could make no play 
 against this new foe, for unseen powers seemed to battle 
 against him, and twice he was wounded and as yet Loch 
 had taken 'no hurt. At last, as the hour of noon drew 
 nigh, Cuchulain bethought him of that terrible weapon he 
 had never yet made use of the Gae Bolg which Skatha 
 had given to him. Presently he made a secret sign to 
 Laeg, who threw the weapon down to him. Springing 
 back, Cuchulain fastened it to his foot, and with all his 
 strength drove the terrible belly spear into his opponent. 
 
 " I have got my death of that," cried Loch in a great 
 voice, " but I pray thee carry me to the Northern shore, 
 that in death I may fall further forward on the quest 
 than any man of the host hath done as yet." 
 
 "The boon is thine," said Cuchulain as he tenderly 
 lifted up the dying man and bore him up the Ulster bank 
 of the river. 
 
 Now the time had come for Ferdia to retrieve the oath 
 he had sworn overnight, so they went to the place by the 
 ford where he had been sleeping since early morning on 
 the cushions taken from his war chariot, and told him of 
 the death of Loch Mac Mofebis while his charioteer 
 bound the war harness on him. 
 
 When Cuchulain saw who came down the path to the 
 ford to do battle with him, he cried out in a great voice 
 of anguish : 
 
 " Ah, say not Ferdia, my old shield mate, who stood 
 shoulder to shoulder with me in the Place of the Glen, 
 that thou hast come out to war against me this day ! 
 What, are there no other champions in Erin that thou, 
 who art dear as mine own heart's blood, must needs come 
 out to take my head? Before Dana, they will send 
 Fergus, who is as my father, into the fray next. Never 
 did I think, Ferdia, when we slept and fought side by
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 213 
 
 side in field and sunshine in Skatha's land, that we 
 should ever stand against each other thus." 
 
 Of a truth, Cuchulain, I know we have shared one 
 bed and board like brothers born at one birth, and rather 
 would I lie dead at thy feet than strike at thy head this 
 day. Yet the unbreakable oath is sworn, and so things 
 must fall out as is foreordained. Say no more, my dear 
 comrade, or thou wilt unman me; rather let us embrace 
 and then work out that which lies before us. And 
 choose thou the weapons we shall use." 
 
 " Nay, Ferdia, thine shall be the choice of weapons." 
 
 " As thou wilt, Cuchulain, and I name the light casting 
 javelins." Now Ferdia named the javelin for very love 
 of his old comrade. " For," reasoned Ferdia within his 
 mind, " Cuchulain's sword arm hath had heavy work of 
 late; he casteth the javelin equally well with either hand; 
 moreover he hath been up to his thighs in water many 
 hours, and the javelins we may cast from bank to bank." 
 
 No such spear work had ever been seen in Ireland 
 before. Back and forth buzzed the missiles from bank 
 to bank and ne'er a one penetrated the defence of the 
 other. About half way through the afternoon, Ferdia 
 took up a great heavy casting spear by mistake, and 
 hurling this, instantly wounded Cuchulain, who replied by 
 hurling the weapon back. Now naught but great heavy 
 javelins were used, and the blood flowed freely from both 
 the combatants. 
 
 At last a halt was called and each champion went off 
 to his own camp after first embracing and promising to 
 continue the combat on the morrow. That night, they 
 sent messengers to each other with healing balms and 
 choice dishes; further, Ferdia sent a messenger to say 
 that as he had named the weapons on that day, it was 
 only fitting that Cuchulain should choose the ones they 
 would use on the morrow. Cuchulain replied that since 
 they had only fought for a few hours on that day, they 
 would fight on the morrow with broad bladed 
 stabbing spears from the chariots on his bank 
 of the river until noon, and thereafter they would 
 fight either in the water or on land as and with
 
 214 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 whatever weapons Ferdia might choose. So Ferdia 
 named the two-handed cutting swords for the afternoon, 
 the fight to take place on Cuchulain's bank. This Ferdia 
 did because he knew that on the Northern bank of the 
 river none would interfere with the champions as they 
 fought, but he feared that should Cuchulain venture 
 within reach of the wild levies of Maev, they might fall 
 suddenly upon him and do him to death. 
 
 At daylight Ferdia came to the ford, but he could 
 in no wise cross by reason of the entanglements 
 Cuchulain had caused to be placed in the bed of the river, 
 so he went over on foot with his charioteer. After they 
 had embraced, Cuchulain gave him a chariot in which to 
 fight, and then the combat began. Back and forth tore 
 the war-cars until the blood and sweat dropped down from 
 the limbs of the weary horses and the floors of the 
 chariots were slippery with the gore which poured from 
 the wounds of the warriors and their charioteers. At last 
 the horses could hardly encompass a trot, let alone a 
 charging gallop, and so a truce was called and the cham- 
 pions sat side by side and ate their none-meat; after 
 which they bathed their limbs in the water and bound up 
 each other's wounds before they stood up again to fight 
 with the great two-handed swords which Ferdia had 
 named. 
 
 Now they begin to circle round each other with swords 
 raised. Ferdia springs forward and strikes a fearful blow, 
 Cuchulian leaps back and as he does so strikes down, but 
 Ferdia catches the blow on his hilt, although the force of 
 his own blow had well nigh overbalanced him. Now he 
 strikes again, and this time the blade shears the flesh 
 from Cuchulain's forearm and rouses the lurking devil 
 in him. With both hands the warriors ply their blades 
 to the sound as of smiths striking on anvils. 
 
 Still the fight goes on, and fresh wounds are added 
 to those the heroes already bear. On the far bank, the 
 men of Erin groan or cheer as their champion gains or 
 loses the advantage, while Laeg hops around the com- 
 batants, now on one leg, now on the other, in ecstatic fear 
 and admiration.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AX 215 
 
 Presently Cuchulain catches Ferdia's blade in the notch 
 in his own hilt, and with a quick wrench snaps it in two. 
 Ferdia casts the useless hilt from him and, drawing a 
 heavy dagger, strives to close within the sweep of the 
 blade, but Cuchulain smites and smites hard, and the 
 cruel steel sinks deep into Ferdia's shoulder, laying him 
 bleeding and unconscious on the turf. 
 
 With a great cry Cuchulain flings his sword from him 
 as a groan goes up from the host, and, gathering hia 
 fallen friend up in his arms, he bears him across the river 
 and lays him at the feet of Fergus, whom he beseeches 
 to care for him tenderly. 
 
 Thus ended the third day's fighting by the ford, and 
 the time had come for Cuchulain to give back to the pass 
 as he had promised ; but there was still another champion, 
 the famous Natchranthal, who would try a deed with him, 
 and to this combat Maev had agreed on condition 
 that Fergus should himself go against Cuchulain if 
 Natchranthal failed. 
 
 Although Fergus knew nothing of it, this suited the 
 Queen's purpose well, for while she was yet in the Ox 
 Mountains, her spies had told her that the Brown Bull 
 had been moved from Quelgny to Slieve Gallion. Thither 
 she had sent a third of her army under Buic Mac Banblai 
 to effect its capture, giving out that the men went on a 
 foray to collect provender. Buic and his raiders had 
 now been away many days; news might come at any 
 moment, and it was not her wish to join issue in the 
 battle of the pass until some tidings were to hand, for the 
 return of some 18,000 men would aid in the forcing of the 
 passage. Also, she had other troops of raiders sent out 
 secretly to ravage Bregia and Murthemney. 
 
 That night Fergus went across the river, saying that he 
 would acquaint Cuchulain with Maev's wish and find out 
 with what weapons the fight should be fought on the 
 morrow. His real purpose in going was to make a pact 
 with his old pupil lest these two should be forced to face 
 each other. 
 
 Laeg, who was watching while his master slept, wil- 
 lingly guided Fergus across the ford when he heard his
 
 216 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 errand, and to a glen where the hero rested in a little 
 cave sheltered from the biting wintry winds. 
 
 Within the cave Cuchulain was sleeping peacefully in 
 the firelight. Very pale and worn he looked, as Fergus 
 watched him with loving, fatherly eyes, for he had 
 lost much blood that day. His breathing was deep 
 and quiet, but he started fiercely up with sword in hand 
 directly Fergus laid a hand upon his shoulder. 
 
 ' What now?" he asked, and then as he recognised his 
 visitor, " Is it thou indeed, my dear master?" 
 
 " Yea, Cuchulain, I am come to have speech with 
 thee." 
 
 " Then sit thou over against me by the fire, and Laeg 
 shall pour for thee a cup of such wine as is ours." 
 
 " It cometh upon me, Fergus," said Cuchulain pre- 
 sently, " that I shall fall in this pass to which I return at 
 break o'day, for mine eyes have seen the Morrigan and 
 already the underworld seems ever about my feet, battling 
 against me." 
 
 " Of these matters naught is known to me, who am 
 but a plain soldier," answered Fergus, " but thou mayst 
 well bide here by the ford for yet two other days if thou 
 art still meet for fight." 
 
 " How may this be, for my word is pledged to leave 
 the ford after the third day, win or lose!" 
 
 " In this wise : Natchranthal hath petitioned Maev that 
 he may try to overthrow thee, and to this she hath con- 
 sented on condition that should he fail, I am to put on 
 my harness and do my best to make an end." 
 
 " With Natchranthal will I fight gladly," answered 
 Cuchulain, " but against thee, friend and guide of my 
 childhood, will I lift no hand. Nay, say no more, Fergus, 
 this may not be ! What ! is it not bad enough that mine 
 own shield-brother, Ferdia, lies wounded it may be to 
 death at my hands, without we two standing against 
 each other to slay or be slain? I tell thee, Fergus, I will 
 have none of this rede of thine." 
 
 " Softly, softly, dear lad," soothed Fergus, " thou hast 
 not yet heard all my rede."
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 217 
 
 11 What, then, is thy council?" 
 
 ' Well, it seems to me that thou mayst well overcome 
 Natchranthal, although he is a very mighty man, else were 
 I not here ; that being so, I must come against thee willy 
 nilly. On the other hand, shouldst thou refuse to fight 
 with him, being loth to fight with me, the battle of the 
 pass is fought two days the sooner, and thy chances of 
 saving thy handful of men rendered thereby less, for 
 then succour is two days further away." 
 
 "Now it seems that we are indeed in a cleft stick," 
 Cuchulain interrupted him. 
 
 " Not altogether so," continued Fergus, " for there 
 are more ways to come to the other side of a bush than 
 through the prickles; but listen carefully, for this is my 
 plan. Maev hath given a day to Natchranthal in which 
 to overthrow thee. Thou shalt accept his challenge, and, 
 if thou canst, win the combat as quickly as may be, so 
 that time may be gained to dress thy wounds and rest 
 thy weary limbs. On the second day from this at mid- 
 morn I will come forth to the ford saying that weapons 
 have not been chosen; then shalt thou put me under 
 geise to come against thee only with the thrusting spear 
 formed from a new cut sapling; by the time these spears 
 are shaped, the afternoon sun shall be well down the 
 heavens, and when at last all is ready, thou shalt fly 
 as swiftly as horses can gallop from me to the pass. 
 Thus may time, which is more valuable to thee than 
 precious stones, be gained and thy strength grow in thee 
 once more against the glorious fighting I foresee when 
 w r e come to force the passage of the hills." 
 
 "Nay! I fly before the face of no man living," 
 answered Cuchulain. 
 
 "Be not foolish and overproud, lad," said the older 
 man; " it is but a ruse, and I would gladly fly from thee, 
 but no good would come of it, for it would but bring thee 
 into the midst of our host, where ill would certainly 
 befall thee. If thou hast still any scruples," he went 
 on, seeing Cuchulain hesitate, " then this I swear, that 
 when we meet again, I will willingly r\m a.way, to 
 make all equal between us."
 
 218 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " Let it stand so, then," answered Cuchulain; " and 
 now, what of this fight to-morrow? If the choice of 
 weapons lies with me, let it be all and any ! " 
 
 " All and any it shall be, and so I will tell Natch- 
 ranthal." 
 
 For a while they sat in silence, each thinking his own 
 thoughts, and gazing into the heart of the fire. 
 
 Presently Fergus broke the silence. 
 
 "Dost thou wonder, Cuchulain, why it is that I, 
 who fight under the banner of Ailell and Maev, give thee 
 counsel and comfort, and why it is that Ferdia and I 
 fight for her rather than at thy side? " 
 
 " Of the slaying of the sons of Usna and the rape of 
 Deirdre, which drove thee, with many another, from 
 the Court of Conor, I know, and I also hold the King to 
 be forsworn and an oath breaker. Once, too, I also said 
 that no more should my steel flash out in Conor's quarrel; 
 yet at the last, Fergus, Ulster is ail in all. Bethink thee, 
 Fergus, the land is all, the mortal King nothing, for he 
 doth but hold it as a trust for those Old Ones who sit on 
 high and watch for ever. Why, man, his very actions 
 shew him but a man as other men, feeling heat and 
 hunger, lust and fear. Do not the same words serve him 
 that we frame about our tongues? Is not the same iron 
 found within the earth to form his sword and mine? Is 
 not his being cased in the selfsame crust of flesh and 
 bone ? Shall he not lay in the selfsame earth which shall 
 enclose our forms? Kings come and go to monarchise 
 their little hour, the adder's sting or selfsame poisoned 
 cup may bring about their fall, but at the last, whether 
 they live well or ill, all, all come to the selfsame dust 
 from which they spring. Naught matters for the man, 
 old friend; but for the land, the constant living land 
 which shall endure, another course is set. Year in, year 
 out she sleeps and breathes gently with the changing 
 seasons, giving her warriors birth, and for a man to turn 
 against his land for the evil done by a king, is like a 
 child who strikes his mother to avenge his father's sin. 
 Ulster was a Kingdom, Fergus, when we yet slept in 
 the womb of time, and Ulster will be a Kingdom, standing
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 219 
 
 alone for the right, long, long after we have passed 
 hence." 
 
 " In truth thou hast learned wisdom overseas, 
 Cuchulain, and hadst thou been here when all these 
 things came to pass, Ferdia and I had stood shoulder to 
 shoulder with thee to-day, for know that we see eye to 
 eye with thee hi this, and therefore I work as best I 
 may to keep thee from scath. Well, the hour grows late 
 and thou shalt need thy strength at dawn, so sleep and 
 rise refreshed, thou Glory of the North." 
 
 Day broke in a welter of sleet and found Cuchulain 
 by the ford, nor had he long to wait, for Natchranthal 
 was right eager to try if he might succeed where the 
 greatest champions in all Erin had failed. But Cuchulain 
 knew that the fate of Ulster rested on his shoulders; 
 moreover, he was spent with wounds and fighting, so 
 that he was not willing to run the risks of a protracted 
 combat with so doughty a warrior as Natchranthal, 
 wherefore he drove the Belly Spear against him below his 
 shield directly they engaged, and that was straightway 
 his death. 
 
 On the day following, things fell out as had been 
 planned, and the shadows were long on the ground when 
 Cuchulain flew from before the face of Fergus, so that it 
 was too late for the host to march against the pass that 
 night. 
 
 As the chariot rattled along it came abreast of an old 
 woman, sitting by the wayside wringing her hands and 
 weeping. 
 
 Bidding Laeg pull up, Cuchulain descended from the 
 chariot and said : 
 
 "What ails thee, mother, that thou dost sit by the 
 roadside making lamentation? " 
 
 v " Alas, fair sir! " she replied, " a great host cometh 
 through the pass of St. Beagh, driving myriad herds of 
 cattle before them." 
 
 At these tidings Cuchulain sprang into the chariot again 
 and bade Laeg drive hard to see what this new incursion 
 might be, " for," said he, "it can hardly be the men
 
 220 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 of Ultonia, or the old dame had not fled, and yet I had 
 thought the whole of the men of Erin had risen out to 
 the hosting of Maev, and were gathered at the ford we 
 have just left." 
 
 Nigh on twenty long miles they drove before the lowing 
 of cattle and the sparkle of fires told them that they 
 approached the mysterious force. Naught could be 
 accomplished in the dark, so Cuchulain lay down to rest 
 upon the western bank of the River Mourne. 
 
 At daylight a great stir was heard, and looking out from 
 behind the bushes where they had sheltered, Cuchulain 
 and Laeg saw that the men of Erin, indeed, lay before 
 them, and even as they looked, the cattle they had carried 
 off were got on the move while a party of half a dozen 
 leaders went on half a mile in advance of the host. With 
 them rode Buic Mac Banblai, who, as we have seen, com- 
 manded the raiders. 
 
 Quietly and quickly the horses are harnessed and 
 hooked in. Away they go thundering over the ground, 
 and a wild yell goes up from the host as they see their 
 foe. Then the advance party views the chariot, and 
 clapping in their spurs, they sit down to ride hard in 
 pursuit; stride by stride they draw <on until they are 
 well within javelin cast, and then two men fall to 
 Cuchulain's well-flung spears. 
 
 " When I stamp my foot, turn and charge them." he 
 says to Laeg, who nods his head in answer. 
 
 On they race, and still the javelins whistle and hum 
 in the air ; now Cuchulain stamps his foot, and the chariot 
 sweeps round and thunders back on the four pursuers. 
 Two draw clear, one goes down under the clattering hoofs, 
 and as they pass Cuchulain thrusts Buic through with 
 his broad-bladed stabbing spear. Round goes the chariot 
 again, and they are off with flying hoofs to the ford of the 
 Derg, passing clear to the north of the lesser Derg Hill 
 on the opposite side of the Mountains of Donegal, lest 
 they should fall in with the advancing hosts of Ailell and 
 Maev. 
 
 Now, although Cuchulain did not know it at the time, 
 the Brown Bull of Quelgny was in the midst of that
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 221 
 
 great herd of cattle which the raiders, under Buic Mac 
 Banblai, had lifted from Slievegallion, where Dara Mac 
 Fachtura had hidden him in a glen when he moved 
 the Brown Bull from Dunsevenik at the news of Maev's 
 coming.
 
 223 THE HOUND OF CULLAM 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 LUGH had scarce driven his horses out through the flaming 
 portals of the East when Cuchulain came to the pass of 
 the Derg and found his three companies preparing their 
 morning meal. 
 
 As he stepped down from his chariot, old Agnoman 
 came forward and reported that scouts had just come in 
 with tidings that Maev's host was still on the far bank of 
 the river, but that men were busily employed clearing 
 away the obstructions with which Cuchulain had entangled 
 the ford. 
 
 It was now clear that Maev could not by any possible 
 chance attack until mid-morning on the next day. 
 
 For awhile, Cuchulain stood in the mouth of the pass 
 and considered deeply how this battle of the hundreds 
 against the tens of thousands might best be fought. 
 
 In front of him lay the double waters of the Erne, 
 shaped like a bow, the arm of the lake nearest to him 
 which represented the wood, with the waters thickening 
 to the hand grip almost at his feet, and perhaps a mile 
 away a swiftly flowing stream which served for the bow 
 string. 
 
 On either side of him the cliffs towered up rugged and 
 gaunt, separated by some twenty-five or thirty paces 
 for three-quarters of a mile, when the pass opened out 
 to a space half a mile wide, with a hill some two 
 hundred feet high in the centre, before narrowing down 
 to its original width hard by the place at which the River 
 Derg flows out from the Mountains of Donegal. 
 
 In Cuchulain's force there were fifty Romans, who had 
 deserted from the legions and subsequently joined him 
 as free companions, fifty wild Nubian archers, a hundred 
 Norsemen, with old Agnoman at their head fierce 
 Vikings all armed with great battle axes and hammers.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 223 
 
 The remainder of his force was a heterogeneous assortr- 
 ment he had collected overseas and trained together as 
 the Wanderers' Band. 
 
 Presently Cuchulain raised his head and spoke to Agno- 
 raan : " Whichever way things may befall, old sea-king, 
 a glorious fight is before us, and but few of our three 
 hundred men shall live to tell the tale of it; yet this is 
 a good place to defend, and we may well hold back the 
 host of Erin until Ulster is roused out to our aid, and 
 this is how the battle shall be set. Before us lie the 
 waters of Erne, around our feet lie the great rocks, and 
 on either hand the walls rise up. Thou, with thy Norse- 
 men shalt lie hid among the rocks and fall upon the foe 
 while they are yet in the water. Behind thee, two 
 hundred paces within the pass shall stand the Romans 
 in a double line, and with them will I bide. Some way 
 before us, high up on the cliffs, the Nubians must take 
 their stand. The Wanderers' Band we will hold in reserve 
 where the pass narrows again at the east to the Plains of 
 Foyle beyond. 
 
 " Now thou shalt hold them at the ford for awhile, but 
 not long enough to lose over many men. Then shalt thou 
 break and flee back through our ranks and take thy stand 
 upon the little hill in the midst of the pass. Against the 
 Romans, Maev can send no more than a few hundred 
 men at a time, and as they come the Nubians shall shoot 
 on them and roll down great rocks from on high. For as 
 long as may be we will hold the narrow way and die in 
 our standing. When we are gone, the host will sweep 
 on to engage thee upon the hill, and meanwhile the men 
 of Ethiopia must draw back along the cliffs until they 
 stand on either flank of the Wanderers. Here shalt thou 
 make the last great stand with the Wanderers and such 
 of the Norsemen as may be left, but they, I think, will 
 be few indeed. I would now that thou callest together 
 the men by the place of the little hill, that I may tell 
 them how this matter shall go." 
 
 As Cuchulain walked away towards the hill, a sound 
 of deep voices singing was heard from the Northern end 
 of the pass ; for a moment he stood and listened, fearing
 
 224 THE HOUND OF GULL AN 
 
 greatly lest by a ruse Maev had sent some of her men 
 round to take him in rear. Silent he stood for a moment 
 with head bent, listening, and then strode quickly away 
 up the defile with great joy in his heart, for he had 
 heard and recognised the marching song of the men of 
 Cullan the Smith of Quelgny, and knew by that? token 
 that the Curse of Macha was passed and spent. A 
 minute later Cullan himself rode into sight with all his 
 fighting tail a hundred trusty swords at his back. 
 Quickly the news ran from mouth to mouth as to who 
 the new comers were, and a mighty cheer split itself to 
 fragments on the rocks as Laeg spread the tale. 
 
 It was a joyous meeting between the Hound of Cullan 
 and his Master after all the years that had gone since 
 the little lad had stood guard over the dun of Quelgny. 
 
 " Tell me, Cullan," said Cuchulain, after the first 
 greetings were over, " dost thou come alone or but as 
 the advanced guard of the host of Ulster? " 
 
 " I know naught of the host of Ulster," replied Cullan 
 the Smith, " but this 1 know, the Curse of Macha passes, 
 and I came hot foot to thine aid as soon as a man could 
 stir." 
 
 As they talked upon the slopes of the hill in the midst 
 of the pass, Cuchulain's little force assembled. 
 
 First came the Nubians, their great black bows standing 
 up over their left shoulders and their quivers, full of 
 well-fledged arrows, banging against their right thighs as 
 they marched. Next came the Romans, and as they 
 halted in line they heaved up their spears, shouting 
 " Ave! Ave! " Behind them at a run came the Norse- 
 men. Halting, they banged axe upon target and gave 
 " Waes Hael " to their lord, but the Wanderers shouted 
 " Skall," and then all stood silent in their ranks waiting 
 for Cuchulain to speak. 
 
 " Cullan, my Master," said he, " ye are come in a 
 lucky hour to fend the land we love. Ulster lays open 
 behind us, and before us lie the foe. Great deeds may 
 come of this, for ours it is to hold the pass until the 
 men of Ultonia, newly recovered from their pains, shall 
 rise out to our aid. Cullan and I and his men stand
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 225 
 
 here as in duty bound to strike for the homes that gave 
 us birth, but thou Agnoman, and ye my shield mates 
 from overseas, come forth to fight, not for the quarrel's 
 sake, but for very love of fighting and of me who have 
 led ye many a time and oft when we rode the sea-horses 
 together over the swans' bath. Many fights have we 
 fought good fights but it comes to me that this shall 
 be the last and goodliest fight of all, and here in this 
 gut in the hills shall our company be disbanded by 
 Death. 
 
 " Against us come more than fifty thousand of the 
 bravest blades of Erin, while we number but twenty 
 score. Still, we have fought shoulder to shoulder as 
 good brethren should, and levelled the odds aforetime. 
 The pass we hold is good for defence, our hearts are bold 
 within us and our weapons are keen in our hands. The 
 odds are over long for levelling; yet if ye be willing, may 
 we still do a deed which shall live in song and story 
 while hearth-stone shall redden to the fire and skalds' 
 fingers pluck at harp strings. Say ! will ye do this thing? 
 or shall it be said that we, who have been together, 
 fair tide and foul, in captivity and in freedom, parted at 
 last in the shadow of Death! Say shipmates, shield- 
 mates, breed of the sea cocks, go ye home in safety to a 
 new service, or do ye follow the sword of the Hound 
 once more? " 
 
 '' We follow the Hound," they yelled; " lead on; to the 
 death we follow ! ' ' 
 
 "Valhalla waits! " cried old Agnoman, shaking his 
 great axe till it flashed in the sun, " and B'ifrost Bridge 
 shall be thronged 'ere this tale be told." 
 
 " Bravely spoken, hearts o' gold," laughed Cuchulain; 
 " 'tis but as I knew ye would answer. Listen, then! for 
 in this wise shall we fight. The waters are deep on either 
 side of the ford of Erne, and thou, Agnoman, shalt fall 
 upon the foe as they come ; the neck of the pass is narrow, 
 and there bide I with the Romans, and behind us shall 
 stand Cullan and his pack to charge in when we break 
 
 or die." 
 
 p
 
 226 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " We die, but we break not," yelled the Romans. 
 
 " Aye! ye'll stand to it, I know," laughed Cuchulain, 
 and then continued, " the archers shall shoot from either 
 cliff and roll down rocks as the foe come against us, and 
 after we are fordone, the remnants shall give back until 
 they stand with Agnoman and the Norsemen on this hill ; 
 and in the other end of the pass to the North shall the 
 Wanderers' Company await to meet the final shock, and 
 theirs it is to stand firm while a man is alive, and above 
 them shall be set the archers to shoot down our foes 
 until the arms are too weary to pull the bow strings and 
 the arrows are all spent. I have finished ! Go now, my 
 comrades, rest and prepare for war, and to-night sleep on 
 thy spears ! ' ' 
 
 Then the companies marched away to make ready, and 
 as they went the Norsemen sang the song of Odin and 
 Thor, the song of the sea cocks, which runs : 
 
 Waes hael ! Waes hael ! Waes hael ! * 
 
 Shout for the mighty Woden ! 
 Ho ! for the blood red war ! 
 
 Up with the mead in flowing bowl, 
 Drink to the Thundering Thor ! 
 
 See where Sable Raven 
 
 Floats o'er Vikings free ; 
 Lords of Life and Death we roam 
 
 Monarchs of the sea. 
 Dread Valkyries shield us 
 
 As our dragons speed, 
 All the world before us 
 
 We follow Glory's lead. 
 
 Scourge of Southern Saxons, 
 
 Dread of Anglia's shore, 
 Deep in heart of Erin 
 
 Hear our battle roar. 
 
 * For this song I am gratefully indebted to Charles H. Ash- 
 down, F.G.S. Author.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 227 
 
 Odin's sons of Freedom, 
 
 Great Valhalla's halls, 
 Shout then comrade Vikings! 
 
 Shout, for glory calls. 
 
 That night as Cuchulain went the round of the sentries 
 and passed through the ranks of the sleeping warriors 
 who seemed to lie like men already dead in the stark 
 moonlight, he said to Cullan, who accompanied him: 
 
 " Tell me, friend! 'ere yet the Allfather of Light hath 
 veiled his face in his mantle once again, how many say 
 ye of those who sleep whole limbed to-night, shall see his 
 glory mount in the East a second time? " 
 
 " Nay, Cuchulain, it is more than man may tell! " 
 
 " It is strange to think," went^on Cuchulain, as if the 
 other had not spoken, " what strange tricks Fate doth 
 play us. All those who sleep, black and white alike, had 
 mothers who crooned o'er them as they lay nestled to 
 the mumbled breast. What hopes were builded for them, 
 on what path of high emprise may their wayward feet not 
 have been set! Some of them have wives and little 
 children far away ! What think ye ! do they reck of the 
 warriors who to-night sleep on their spears? And what 
 of the warriors themselves ! Do their hands clutch at 
 their safeguards with thoughts of bloody deeds the morrow 
 shall bring; doth the battle cry lurk ready behind their 
 clenched teeth, or is there perchance love and peace in 
 the hearts of some, thoughts of mother-quiet and 
 sheltering homesteads where the young vines join hands 
 above the door? See this grim old warrior, scarred with 
 the marks of a hundred fights, see how starkly he smiles 
 and how fondly his hand caresseth the haft of his axe as it 
 were almost the tender palm of a maid's hand; and mark 
 yon fair-haired Dane, the bloom of youth is on his cheek, 
 and he too smiles, but his lips frame gentleness, and surely 
 it is of love and mating that he murmurs, and although 
 his head is pillowed on a buckler, it is of the white breast 
 of the girscaa who waits for him by the Trondhjem fiord 
 tl'.at he dreams. 
 
 " Why is it, tell me, thou who hast lived so long, that
 
 228 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 we are born on a welter of sword blades to die in a sea 
 of blood? 
 
 " In the far East a wise man told me of the coming 
 of a Great White Lord who should rend the Stone of 
 Sacrifice, and before whose Sign of a Cross should bow 
 down Mib'lnir the Hammer of Thor whom the Dane-folk 
 worship. He told me that wars should pass at the 
 word of this great Lord, and the world be ruled by Love 
 and not by the sword after His coming. 
 
 "Ah well! what matters it, bloody-minded and love- 
 lorn, both may have gone to solve the great mystery 
 'fore ever the White Lord comes out of the East." 
 
 No bugles roused the morn, next day and no cooking 
 fires sent up their smoke on high, but quietly the com- 
 panies stole down to their appointed places and lay down 
 in concealment. The pickets of yesternight were drawn 
 in, and the mouth of the Pass yawned black and foz'bid- 
 ding between the walls of rock. 
 
 Hour after hour passed, until at last the hundreds of 
 watching eyes saw flashes of light across the plain as 
 the spear heads caught the sun rays, and thus they knew 
 that the host of Maev drew on. 
 
 Eight across the plain wound the foe in three vast 
 columns, the murmur of the myriad tramping feet and 
 hoofs clearly discernible a great way off. The right and 
 left columns halt, but the centre column comes on, and 
 in it are perhaps twenty thousand men. Across the first 
 waters of the Erne they pass, orderly company by orderly 
 company; two-thirds of them mass upon the bank, and 
 the other third splits up into three smaller columns and 
 advances to where the waters form the bow. Now the 
 columns converge until they come to the ford where the 
 grip of the bow shaft rests, so that they march down the 
 bank and into the water twelve abreast. Still the de- 
 fenders of the pass make no sign. 
 
 It almost seems to the men of Erin that Cuchulain 
 is fled and the pass left open to them, but only for a 
 moment are they left in doubt, for there is a rustling
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 229 
 
 arnong the rocks as the Norsemen rise up; ere they 
 charge they break into their war song : 
 
 Ho ! for the mighty Woden. 
 Ho ! for the Thundering Thor. 
 Up with the mead in flowing bowl; 
 Drink to blood-red war ! 
 
 ' Ye shall drink deep of blood to-day, ye sea wolves! " 
 yells old Agnoinan, as he heads the charge and rushes 
 straight down upon the foe. After him rage the 
 bearsarkers, yelling and leaping from rock to rock. The 
 sunlight flashes in their floating yellow hair beneath the 
 winged helmets and on the weapons they hold on high 
 with bronzed, torque-gilded arms. A brave foe awaits 
 them, and a roar of welcome goes up from the men at 
 the ford as they see their foemen come. The head of 
 the column reels with the force of impact, and up leap 
 the blood-tinged waves on either hand as men are hurled 
 from the narrow causeway into the depths. There are 
 sounds as of meat chopped on a block and hammers busy 
 on anvils, as they strike and strive waist deep in the turgid 
 \vater. 
 
 Thrice the Norsemen charge, and thrice the column 
 reels back under their onslaught, but men are falling fast, 
 too fast Agnoman thinks, and his bull voice rings out, 
 bidding the Norsemen flee. For a moment they hesitate 
 and then run back, turning to strike here and there like 
 an old dog fox that snaps back over his shoulder when 
 the hounds are close upon him. 
 
 Swift in pursuit leap the men of Erin, but they have 
 the bank to climb, and the last Norseman is vanishing 
 as they rush into the mouth of the gorge, and there they 
 halt and draw back, for before them stands the double 
 line of Romans, their oblong shields a steady wall brist- 
 ling with spears held firm by the leather-clad right 
 arms; on their legs are guards of iron, and on their heads 
 brazen helmets above stern impassive faces. In the 
 centre of the front rank stands the Glory of the North 
 Cuchnlain a dark handsome youth; the tunic under his
 
 230 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 byrnie is white, a crimson cloak clasped by a great gold 
 brooch is thrown back from his shoulders, and a hood 
 of white linen, gold embroidered, falls back from his 
 helm; on his left arm is a great red shield, silver 
 rimmed, and strangely embossed in gold with the images 
 of beasts and men. In his right hand he holds an axe, 
 light but strong and beautifully balanced. His look is 
 fierce, and around his head there seems to shine the 
 hero light. No wonder is it that the attackers give 
 back from before his face, but it is useless for them to 
 tarry, for those behind press on, nor is the initiative left 
 with them, for Cuchulain lifts up his axe and shouts : 
 ' What, brethren, must we wait all day for these 
 laggards? Forward, and drive them out! " 
 
 No wild bearsark rush, beloved of the Northerners, 
 is here, but the steady disciplined advance of the trained 
 legionaries. Terrible was the onslaught of the fierce 
 Vikings, but far more terrible is the inexorable, relentless 
 advance of those swarthy cold-faced men. The men of 
 Erin strike at them and strike again ; where a man falls 
 he may lie, and a comrade from the rank behind steps 
 up and takes his place. Slowly the head of the column 
 rears up and falls back on itself, and so great is the press 
 of those behind that it scarce seems possible for the 
 Romans to move, and yet ever Cuchulain's axe sweeps 
 a path before him, and ever the men take a pace forward 
 as they thrust their foemen underfoot. Not a sound 
 comes from them as they force their way, until at last 
 they stand in the Mouth of the Pass in the full light 
 of the morning sun. 
 
 There is something uncanny awful about their 
 purposeful dispassionate mastery ! 
 
 Cuchulain longs for the blithe fray and the ringing 
 blows, but still no fierce assault shakes his ordered ranks. 
 At last he can wait no longer. He springs six clear 
 paces out into the open, and instantly, as if at the spoken 
 word, the line behind him bows outwards into the arc of 
 a circle. 
 
 And now the attack comes in earnest; rank upon rank 
 the foes charge up the slope, and each succeeding rank
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 231 
 
 breaks itself in fruitless ragings like storm-driven waves 
 beating on a rocky coast. 
 
 At last they pause amazed, gazing on that implacable 
 array. The ranks are thinned, it is true, but still 
 Cuchulain's axe thunders and flames in the forefront of 
 the battle. Gone are cloak and hood, cast aside in the 
 heat of the fight; his axe is red from blade to hand-hold, 
 and wounds gape upon his arms. Around him stand the 
 indomitable Romans what can shake those men of iron? 
 
 Troops are hurled against them fresh and newly fresh, 
 and still they stand firm, but the end is close now, for 
 not twenty of them are left to back that gleaming axe. 
 Lewey charges home at the head of the Munster men, 
 and Cuchulain goes down stunned, and now Cullan deems 
 it time to loose his own men to the fray. With a rattle 
 of scurrying feet that spurn loose stones, they tear 
 down the defile and hurl themselves on the foe. Eight 
 through the attackers they dash straight on into the 
 heart of the host; never was such a charge as those 
 Ulstermen made when they struck for hearth and home. 
 Across the ford they broke and buried themselves deep 
 in the waiting masses; for a long time the Romans, 
 leaning silent upon their spears within the mouth of the 
 pass, saw the ranks of Erin heave and turn and shudder 
 as they struck and struck at this evil within their very 
 vitals. Long time the swords flashed up and fell, and 
 long time the hammer of the Smith rose up on high. 
 Then all was still and a hundred men had sunk down into 
 the red flood-tide of war from which never a one of them 
 rose more. 
 
 The Romans picked up their leader and climbed back 
 up the defile to where Agnoman was waiting with the 
 Norsemen on the hill. 
 
 Scarcely had they gone when Lewey led the Munster- 
 men forward into the gorge. No sooner were they well 
 between the walls than such a stream of arrows and rocks 
 poured down on them from the waiting Nubians, as 
 caused them to beat a hasty retreat, and for that day 
 the fight was ended.
 
 232 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Meanwhile, on the summit of the hill, Cuchulain had 
 recovered consciousness. Sending for Laeg, he bade him 
 drive hard to Emain Macha and tell King Conor that 
 they might hold out at the pass for two, or possibly three, 
 days more if he would assemble as many war chariots as 
 he could and send them with all possible speed to bring 
 help to the holders of the pass. 
 
 And now Agnoman begged Cuchulain to. go back with 
 his twenty Romans and rest through the morrow's battle 
 with the Wanderers, but this he would not do, though he 
 bade the Romans go and join their comrades at the 
 Northern end of the pass. Although every one of the 
 twenty bore wounds upon him, not one would leave 
 Cuchulain. 
 
 " Lord," said an old war-worn Centurion, "from my 
 boyhood up have I followed the Eagles. In twenty 
 pitched battles have I bared my blade and in skirmishes 
 innumerable, but never before have mine eyes looked 
 upon such a leader of men as thou art. Hadst thou 
 served in the great army thou hadst been borne on the 
 shields of the legions to sit on Caesar's throne, yet may'st 
 thou count the gain well lost for this day's fight, but we 
 leave thee no more ; rather would we open our veins than 
 fail to stand around thee in to-morrow's fray. Glorious 
 hath been the fight to-day and glorious shall be the fight 
 to-morrow; and if thou must fall, we will fall with thee, 
 for such men as thee live on the earth no more, and 
 having served thee best, 'twere ill to serve another master. " 
 
 " Bravely spoken," said Cuchulain; " thou shalt stand 
 with me in the forefront of the battle as thou dost desire. 
 And now, Agnoman, send and withdraw the bowmen 
 from the cliffs, I beg of thee, lest they be cut off in the 
 night time like birds snared sleeping on their perches. 
 Also set a small guard to watch Lewey and his men so 
 that they steal not on us in the darkness unawares." 
 
 About the hour of dawn Cuchulain rose, and taking the 
 old Roman Centurion with him, he went to post the 
 Nubians on the hills on either side of the gorge, so that 
 they might with their arrows prevent the hosts of Maev
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 233 
 
 from slipping in safety round the base of the hill in the 
 centie, to attack the band of the Wanderers in the 
 northern neck of the pass. 
 
 When they returned they found that old Agnoman had 
 set his men in a double ring about half way up the hill 
 where they were lying down in their ranks; in the very 
 centre of the front rank facing down the valley lay the 
 Romans. The old Centurion saluted and turned away to 
 join them, but " Not so !" said Cuchulain; " to-day, brave 
 heart, thou shalt stand on my left hand and Agnoman 
 on my right, for we be equal chiefs in war." 
 
 The old man flushed red with pleasure and said, " It 
 shall be as Caesar wills," and he stretched forth his hand 
 in the Emperor's salute. Even as he did so the great 
 host of Erin came pouring into the open space, and when 
 they saw them, the Norsemen rose up in their ring, and 
 up rose the Romans too. They gazed on that vast 
 multitude of foes and knew that death was very near, so 
 they too looked towards Cuchulain and gave him the 
 gladiator's royal salute, " Ave, Csesarl morituri te 
 salutat ! " 
 
 The red rim of the wintry sun was pushing itself above 
 the ridge of hills to the defenders' left, around their feet 
 lay the white rocks, and above their heads stretched the 
 deep blue of the cloudless sky, wherein a solitary eagle 
 circled and poised as he searched for prey. 
 
 Fronting the hill lay the host of Erin, a motley gather- 
 ing of clansmen, different in type and mode of life; the 
 men of Connacht, as far apart from the wild men of 
 Leinster as two races from the uttermost ends of the 
 earth, and yet all drawn together in one common purpose 
 the spoiling of Ulster. 
 
 The morning sun flashed back from sword and spear 
 blades, and banners waved above the thickly-clustering 
 throng. 
 
 In the hush of morning a shouted word of command 
 rang out like a snapping" beam, and instantly three 
 columns moved out from the host. One went to the 
 right, one to the left and the other came straight on, and 
 as they came, the Nubians sprang to their feet, pouring
 
 234 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 down volley after volley of whistling arrows, and still 
 the columns pressed on, till nothing could live amidst 
 that hail of death. The outer columns keep bravely on, 
 but at last they halt, hesitate and finally give back, 
 leaving a vast litter of dead and wounded behind them; 
 the centre column, unharrassed by bowmen, reaches 
 the foot of the hill up which the attackers begin to climb. 
 The air is full of their cries, the ground shakes to the 
 thunder of their feet as up the slope they charge, until 
 they are met by a blinding storm of hard flung javelins; 
 whole ranks go down in a whirl of mad confusion, men 
 crash to the ground, where some lie very still, and others 
 rise up and stagger on or back. For ten long minutes it 
 goes on, and then the attackers break and fly amidst the 
 hoots and jeers of the Northmen, who leap out of their 
 ring in bearsark fury to pursue, but a warning shout from 
 Cuchulain and a steadying hand on Agnoman's arm stays 
 them. 
 
 There is to be little rest for the defenders, for already 
 a fourth column is pushing its \vay up the slopes of the 
 hill, and all the javelins have been flung. Up the slope 
 the attackers surge until they are face to face with that 
 grim ring. As the battle joins the fierce Northern battle 
 cry, "Valhalla! Valhalla! Victory or Valhalla!" crashes 
 in that enclosed space amidst the ringing of the falling 
 weapons. 
 
 The fight hangs doubtful as the axes are plied by lusty 
 arms; for a long time the fell struggle is evenly sus- 
 tained ; time and again the double ring is strained inwards 
 almost to breaking point, but it breaks not. Agnoman is 
 down, bleeding from a dozen wounds; fallen too is the 
 Centurion, a sword point standing out a hand's breadth 
 behind his shoulder-blade. Still the fight goes on as 
 rank upon rank of fresh foes join the attack, until the 
 arms that wield the axes are so weary that death must 
 soon be the portion of the Northmen if no aid comes, yet 
 ever where the fight rages thickest, Cuchulain's axe is 
 aloft. 
 
 And now the men of Erin stand off for a while, drawing
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 235 
 
 deep breaths as they gaze in wonder and admiration at 
 this stubborn little band. 
 
 Meanwhile Fiacha Mac Firaba, with his 3,000 spear- 
 men, is creeping along the heights on either side of the 
 gorge, driving in the archers before him. 
 
 Soon fresh warriors in the valley gather thickly for 
 what must be the last act of this drama of slaughter, but 
 even as they are launched to the fray, a high shrill cheer 
 echoes from the Northern neck of the Pass. It is the 
 Boy Corps of Emania. Sualtam has raised them as he 
 passed to the Court of King Conor Mac Nessa. Day and 
 night Follaman, the King's young son, had led them, and 
 now they have arrived in time to bear their part in the 
 last great stand. But are they in time? Already foes 
 are swarming up the hill on every side as the Boy Corps 
 make their charge. Through the foe they dash, and 
 turning about, strengthen the hardly-dying ring of North- 
 men. 
 
 Maev sees this fresh reinforcement come, and to quell 
 it she sends forward yet another thousand men. Naught 
 now can avail, and there that gallant little band, war- 
 seasoned warriors and unfledged lads alike, die in their 
 standing. And now Cuchulain is down. 
 
 Still all is not yet over, for this ruthless, wanton 
 slaughter is more than Fiacha Mac Firaba can bear to 
 see, and now, when the victory of the men of Erin seems 
 well assured, he comes charging down from the heights 
 with his 3,000 spearmen and rings around his old comrade 
 Cuchulain and the remnants of his force. He has saved 
 the day, but he is too late to save the lives of those who 
 fought so stubbornly. Cuchulain appears to be dying, 
 the Romans are all dead ; of the Northmen but six remain, 
 and of the Boy Corps, none. Sudden was their entry 
 into the fray, brief the stand they made, and swift the 
 death that found them. 
 
 For that day all the heart for fight is out of Maev's 
 host as they draw off sullenly to the southern end of the 
 Pass, while Maev curses Fiacha bitterly for his treachery. 
 
 Night comes down, poured into the gorge like ink into 
 the palm of the seer who practises black magic, and one
 
 230 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 
 
 by one the twinkling camp fires of the host of Erin sparkle 
 up in the darkness, but Cuchulain stirs not nor moves. 
 Hour after hour he lies with his head in Fiacha 's lap 
 breathing stertorously. Every known means has been 
 tried to bring back his wandering wits since they bore 
 him away from the hill of death and laid him here by the 
 grave of Lerga on the open plain be^yond the northern 
 neck of the Pass. 
 
 As he lay there the moon rose up and revealed the 
 men of Erin seated around their camp fires far down the 
 gorge. 
 
 Now a strange thing must be told. Long time Fiacha 
 sat there with his comrade's head in his lap, musing on 
 the days when, with Cuchulain, he had first learned the 
 profession of arms in the Boy Corps of Emain Macha, for 
 this Fiacha was one of the exiles from Emania who had 
 joined the host of Maev after the slaying of the sons of 
 Usna. Presently, as he sat and watched, he saw the 
 wondrous form of a great man clad in a tunic of white 
 silk embroidered in gold, and about whose shoulders was 
 a cloak of emerald green clasped with a silver buckle, 
 passing through the host- of Erin, in his right hand were two 
 spears. On his left arm was a black buckler bound with 
 silver, and around him shone a glow as of the sun. 
 
 Straight through the host this being passed, but never 
 a head was turned to gaze upon him, though the mystic 
 light around him lit the path he trod. Right through the 
 camp fires he strode, and ever the flames died out beneath 
 his feet, but sprang to life again as he passed. Bight up 
 the gorge he came and through the ranks of the 
 Wanderers' Company, yet no single man challenged his 
 presence. Soon he stood by the grave-mound of Lerga 
 and gazed down upon the spent and wounded warrior; 
 for minutes he gazed down nor spoke a word, but at last 
 he bent and touched Cuchulain on the brow, saying as he 
 did so, " Awake, my son," and instantly Cuchulain 
 opened his eyes, asking : 
 
 " Who speaks to me and calls me son?" 
 
 "It is thy true father, Lugh Mac Ethlin," said the 
 being.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 237 
 
 " The God of Light," gasped Fiacha, rising to his 
 feet; but the Being heeded not the interruption. Speak- 
 ing sweetly to his son he went on: 
 
 " By reason of thy half -divine birth the curse of 
 Macha fell not upon thee, yet in all else art thou mortal, 
 and as mortal thou hast fought and watched bravely 
 through these many days; yet had Fiacha not come to 
 thine aid the watching had been vain. Now art thou 
 weary, spent with wounds. Sleep then and take thy 
 rest, for I am come from my high home among the 
 people of Dana to take thy place awhile." 
 
 As he finished speaking he touched Cuchulain again on 
 the brow, and straightway the wounded hero sank back 
 in a deep, untroubled slumber. Then Lugh laid healing 
 simples on the wounds. 
 
 At daybreak Maev launched her host to the attack once 
 more, but the Wanderers' Company and the spearmen of 
 Fiacha, led by that radiant being, hurled them back with 
 great loss. Nor did they attack again, for Maev called 
 together a council of the princes and chief tarns, and told 
 them that as she now had the Brown Bull of Quelgny, 
 they might return to then* homes. This they would in 
 no wise do, saying that she had promised them great 
 profit from the spoiling of Ulster, and although she had 
 undoubtedly attained her object by capturing the bull, 
 they had nothing to show for the raid but grievous wounds 
 and a long tally of warriors slain. So it was decided that 
 the host should withdraw from the pass of the Derg and 
 inarch South and East to Meath, to see if they might 
 come to Emain Macha while the host of Conor was march- 
 ing West to the aid of Cuchulain. 
 
 That day then, they set off on their inarch of a hundred 
 miles or so to the new point of attack. And while they 
 were marching South and East, Cuchulain slept and his 
 wounds healed up. On the third day he awoke whole and 
 refreshed to find not Lugh but Lag leaning over him, 
 and beside him Fiacha Mac Firaba. 
 
 " Where is my father?" was Cuchulain's first question. 
 
 " Passed upwards on the path of the sunbeam at 
 earliest dawn," replied Fiacha.
 
 288 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " And what of thy mission, Laeg? " Cuchulain next 
 asked. 
 
 " This of my mission, Lordl" Laeg answered. " Ulster 
 is roused, and when I left Ernain Macha, a great host 
 was gathering, but thy father is dead." 
 
 " Nayl" said Cuchulain proudly. " My Father lives 
 now and forever. See where he drives his flaming chariot 
 across the sky from the portals of the dawn till he beds 
 his team at even in the stables of night. But say, 
 how died Sualtam?" 
 
 " Lord, after he left us the bodach rode hard and fast 
 through the land, crying, ' Arise, ye men of Ulster and 
 buckle on thy war gear; foes come to slay thee in thy 
 weakness ; the thatch of thy byres shall serve to light the 
 fires of their camps; thy women folk and children they 
 will sell into slavery and thy cattle carry off ! ' Yet no 
 man heeded him until he came to the quarters of the 
 Boy Corps, for the Curse of Macha worked its will on the 
 men folk; but Prince Follaman and the lads who had not 
 yet come to their manhood and were therefore untouched 
 by the curse, set out forthwith to thy aid, and now all, 
 all are slain." 
 
 At these dire tidings a great groan burst from 
 Cuchulain's lips, but he motioned to Laeg to continue 
 his tale. 
 
 " At last Sualtam came to the King's dim, and there 
 he found all the great nobles of Ultonia assembled, but 
 not one of them meet for fight. Nevertheless Sualtam 
 reasoned with them and besought them to throw off their 
 woman-weakness and take sword and shield for the honour 
 of the land; but only Cathbad spoke, decreeing death to 
 him who brought such evil news to the King in his agony. 
 So the bodach mounted his horse again to ride away to 
 see if help might be raised elsewhere, but as he rode out 
 from the courtyard, the horse set its foot upon a discarded 
 spear-head lying among the rubbish which no one had the 
 strength to clear away. 
 
 " As the sharp point entered into the frog of the horse's 
 hoof the poor beast screamed and reared up, flinging 
 Sualtam back so that his neck caught on the keen edge
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 2S9 
 
 of the shield slung upon his back and decapitated him. 
 The horse galloped away with the headless trunk still 
 firm in the saddle, and was seen no more. 
 
 " It is told at Emania that as the head lay upon the 
 ground it still continued to cry its warning, so Cathbad 
 dragged himself to where it lay, and coming back he set 
 the horrid trophy upon the Sacred Pillar in the midst of 
 the hall. 
 
 ' ' Blood welled out from the veins and ran down the 
 sides of the column, and the great black beard flowed 
 down in front while the white lips continued to move, 
 uttering their interminable warning, until at last, when 
 the oft-repeated words sank into men's minds, first one 
 and then another cast off his lassitude ; as the full realisa- 
 tion of all the message meant came home to them, their 
 eyes glared, their cheeks flamed, and their hands went 
 feeling for their swords. 
 
 ' ' Conall of the Victories staggered to his feet and dared 
 to shake the King's majesty roughly by the shoulder; at 
 the touch the mists cleared from Conor's brain, and he 
 swore a mighty oath : ' The heavens are above us, the 
 earth beneath us, and the sea is around us, and surely, 
 unless the heavens fall on us and the earth gape to 
 swallow us up, and the sea overwhelm the earth, I will 
 restore every woman to her hearth and every cow to its 
 byre. ' * 
 
 " At this the champions raised their voices in acclama- 
 tion and true affection, the first they had shown to their 
 King since the slaying of the Sons of Usna. 
 
 " Straightway the King bade Cathbad the Druid cast 
 a horoscope, which he did, and pronounced that the arms 
 of Ulster should prevail against the invaders. 
 
 " And now I saw the messengers of the King sped to 
 all the four quarters of the province, bidding the warriors 
 arm and prepare themselves for war. Meanwhile Conall 
 of the Victories raised every spear he could, and next 
 morning marched Westwards towards Cuilcagh, as thou 
 
 * " Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race." T, W. Rollestoii.
 
 240 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 didst direct, Lord. But three days elapsed before the 
 full host of Ulster was gathered at Emain Macha, and 
 just as they were marshalled and prepared to march in 
 ConalTs tracks, word came that the host of Maev had 
 moved Eastwards and was already approaching Cavan. 
 As I left the Eoyal House of the Bed Branch, the dwell- 
 ings echoed to the tramping feet as King Conor and the 
 Lord Keltchar, son of Uthecar Hornskin, led the war- 
 riors out and away; but as I went, the King called to me, 
 bidding me tell thee that he will march with all speed to 
 the Plain of Garach and there await the onslaught of the 
 host of Erin. 
 
 " On my way hither I passed the Lord Conallr with his 
 men, and long ere the sun hath set, they will stand 
 before thee." 
 
 Cuchulain heard Laeg's tale out to the end, and then 
 turning to Fiacha, he thanked him for his timely aid, 
 end asked for Agnoman and the Centurion. 
 
 " Alas! " said Fiacha, " they have passed beyond the 
 Light and will be seen no more, but brace thyself to 
 hear worse tidings yet, for know that at the last of the 
 fight, the Boy Corps of Emania marched in through the 
 northern neck of the Pass, and, flinging themselves 
 valiantly into the battle, fought and fell." 
 
 "All of them? " queried Cuchulain. 
 
 " All, all are slain," answered Fiacha. 
 
 Without a word Cuchulain departed into the hills 
 where he sat alone and mourned, for Cullan was dead, 
 dead too were Agnoman and the Centurion; disbanded 
 by the great General Death was the Boy Corps, and of his 
 own fighting tail but a handful of the Northmen and the 
 Company of the Wanderers remained alive, with perhaps 
 a dozen of the Nubians. 
 
 Truly victory was his, but at what a price had it been 
 bought ! 
 
 Late that night Conall and his men marched into the 
 Gorge, and it was then decided that on the morrow they 
 should march with the remainder of Cuchulain 's band 
 and with Fiacha 's spearmen in the track of Maev's host,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 241 
 
 to fall upon them in rear on the Plain of Garach if 
 possible. 
 
 But as they marched there was sorrow in the hero's 
 heart, the joy of fight had died out of him, for 
 Fergus and Ferdia fought on the other side, and of all 
 those boon companions who had sailed the seas with him, 
 barely a hundred remained.
 
 242 THE HOUND OF CULLAX 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 WHEN the host of Erin came to Cavan, Maev sent 
 sixteen hundred men under Prince Cormac North 
 towards Emain Macha, to reconnoitre the land for the 
 advance into Ulster. Ferdia with a hundred of the Ulster 
 exiles, she sent to wait at the ford of the River Dee to 
 cover her march with the main force to the Hill of Slane, 
 where she would await tidings. 
 
 The force under Cormac pushed rapidly forward, 
 raiding and ravishing as they went, and, finding none to 
 stay their progress, were returning with a great spoil of 
 cattle and women slaves when they fell in with Cuchulain 
 and Conall, who rapidly drove them North again until 
 their further progress was barred by King Conor. 
 
 Caught thus between two hostile forces, Cormac turned 
 at bay, fighting very valiantly until he was slain and 
 all his sixteen hundred warriors with him. The captives 
 and cattle Conor returned under guard to their homes, 
 and thus did he begin to fulfil that oath which he had 
 sworn when the Curse of Macha passed from him. 
 
 And now Cuchulain and Conall pushed on with their 
 men as the advance guard to the King's army. In due 
 course they came to the ford on the River Dee, and there 
 they found Ferdia awaiting them. 
 
 Conall would have pushed forward to carry the ford by 
 storm, but Ferdia, still sore of temper from his w r ounds, 
 challenged Cuchulain to single combat, that the fight they 
 had already commenced far away might be fought to 
 its predestined end, and the shame of a beaten man 
 be removed from him. 
 
 "Oh Ferdia!" cried Cuchulain, across the ford, 
 " surely thou dost not bear malice for that which befell 
 in a quarrel of thine own seeking? " 
 
 " No malice lurks within my heart," answered Ferdia,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 243 
 
 " but if this matter be not settled, then shame shall be 
 iny portion for ever." 
 
 Still Cuchulain was unwilling for this fight, not because 
 he feared the issue, but because it was the breaking off 
 of ties of love made long ago, and it must be a fight to 
 the death one of them would never wield weapons again 
 when it was finished. 
 
 Then Ferdia, seeing his unwillingness, "began to mock 
 him and to ask, as he performed feats of skill with his 
 weapons, if he had forgotten the war-craft Skatha had 
 taught him, and become woman-soft in the arms of Emer. 
 Tifow Cuchulain's battle fury was roused as Ferdia had 
 intended, and he rushed into the ford brandishing the 
 axe with which he had fought at the battle of the Pass, 
 but Ferdia caught the blow on his shield and hurled 
 Cuchulain back into the water. For a long time they 
 strove and neither had the advantage over the other, and 
 now the men of Ferdia began to mock Cuchulain, saying : 
 " Is this truly the mighty man who held the Pass? " 
 
 At that mocking he turned bearsark in his rage, and, 
 taking the Gae Bolg he drove it against- Ferdia with all 
 his might. Bight through shield and shirt of mail it 
 pierced, right into the stomach of Ferdia, so that he 
 fell down dying in the water, but Cuchulain caught him 
 in his arms as he fell and carried him over to his own 
 bank so that he might die in the midst of the men of 
 Ulster. 
 
 As Ferdia lay dying, Cuchulain dropped beside him 
 in a swoon of grief, so that he was spared the sight of 
 his friend's death. Nor did he rouse in time to see 
 his comrades force the passage of the ford and march 
 forward into Meath with tumult and rejoicing and with 
 blood-red spears and swords tossing on high. From the 
 day of the slaying of Ferdia, that place was known as Ath 
 Ferdia or Ardee*, in memory of the fallen hero. 
 
 When he recovered consciousness Cuchulain and his 
 men dug a grave for Ferdia, and over him they built a 
 
 * Ardee is in the southern borders of tlu> Plain of Mnr- 
 themnry, in County I/outh.
 
 244 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 great mound surmounted by a pillar stone, whereon they 
 carved in Ogham writing the Sleeper's name and the 
 lineage of his house. 
 
 On the Hill of Slane no word came to Maev from the 
 raiders she had sent forward under Cormac, nor from 
 Ferdia at the ford on the Dee, so she sent out a party 
 of scouts under that Mac Roth, who had first told her 
 of the Brown Bull of Quelgny. These came back swiftly 
 enough, saying that the plains were choked with, flying 
 beasts of the chase; and the woods, from whence they 
 had been driven, echoed with the tramp of marching 
 men, while the very air shook to the lilt of their war 
 songs, which rose high above the rumble of a thousand 
 thousand chariot wheels, as they passed from the woods 
 into the Plain of Garach. 
 
 Maev turned to Fergus who stood beside her. 
 ' Tell me, Fergus," she said, " is the great army that 
 marches, the full hosting of Ulster? " 
 
 " Nay, Queen, that is more than I can say," 
 answered he, adding significantly, "but it may well be 
 that such a force will suffice, for in all the world, from 
 the Pillars of Hercules to the Land of Ice, there are no 
 such valiant warriors as those of Ultonia, fighting in 
 defence of their homes." 
 
 That night the hosts lay over against each other, the 
 men of Ulster on the plain under the shadows of the 
 flat- topped Maela of Meath, and the men of Erin on 
 the Hill of Slane ; but at first peep of day they too 
 marched down into the Plain of Garach. 
 
 Now it were too long to tell of the mighty deeds Fergus 
 wrought with his famous sword " Caladcholg " the 
 " Hard-dinter," in the battle which ensued, and of how 
 Cuchulain came into the fight and turned the tide of 
 war by bidding Fergus fly from before his face as he wag 
 pledged to do; whereon ho fled and with him went the 
 Firbolgs and the men of Le'inster and Munster, so that 
 Ailell and Maev were left alone with the men of Connacht 
 to bear the brunt of the fighting, and thus the day was 
 lost to them. But the victory cost Conor dear, for his 
 son Cuserid fell in it, and for his heir remained only the
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 245 
 
 little infaut Dalan, who had been born to him of Deirdre, 
 and whom some said was the son of Naisi. 
 
 Now at the end of the day, Ailell and Maev fled the 
 stricken field, and as they fled they came up with Ket 
 and Anluan, the sons of Maga and besought them to 
 stand with all that was left to them of their three 
 thousand swordsmen, and cover the retreat, for Conor 
 was close upon their track. 
 
 So it befell that the advance of the victorious host of 
 Ulster was checked by the sons of Maga in West Meath, 
 and in that fight Anluan was wounded; but Ket avenged 
 his brother, for, seeing King Conor in the forefront of 
 the battle, he slung a brain-ball at him which, striking 
 him full in the forehead, penetrated the skull, wherefore 
 the place is called Athnurchar " The Ford of the Sling- 
 cast," to this day. 
 
 After this disaster the Ultonians ceased to pursue, and 
 returned to Emain Macha, carrying their wounded King 
 with them. Though they had scant hope of his recovery, 
 Fingen, the King's physician, was summoned to attend 
 his master when they came to the Red Branch Hostel. 
 
 For a long time Fingen pondered over the matter, and 
 then pronounced it impossible to extract the brain-ball, 
 imt said that if the skin were sewn up over the hole and 
 the King kept himself quiet and refrained from all violent 
 exertion and excitement, he might yet live many years. 
 
 Meanwhile Cuchulain, with a score of chariots, fol- 
 lowed hard on the track of the host of Connacht, until at 
 last he came upon a shattered chariot by the wayside, 
 and under it crouched the great Queen Maev, her pride 
 now humbled in the dust. 
 
 " Ah! slay me not, thou Glory of the North! " cried 
 she as Cuchulain leapt down from his chariot and strode 
 to her side. 
 
 " It is not my custom to war with women," said 
 Cuchulain briefly. 
 
 " Yet rather would I die at thy hand, or mine own, 
 than be carried captive to Conor, lest the fate of Deirdre 
 be mine also," she pleaded.
 
 246 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 " Nay, lady; thou rnayet go free for me," said the hero 
 softly. 
 
 At this the other warriors of Ulster who had joined 
 in the pursuit with him cried out savagely, some saying 
 that she should be slain forthwith, and others, that they 
 would carry her in triumph to Emain Macha. But the 
 hubbub stilled to silence as Cuchulain turned fiercely 
 upon them. 
 
 " Respect to fallen Majesty," he said in a voice of 
 icy calm. " The man who lifts hand against the Queen 
 answers to me for it! " Then as they still murmured 
 he turned to Maev and said, "Majesty! will it please 
 thee to mount up into my chariot? " Together they drove 
 away to Athlone. where he took her across the Shannon, 
 and left her to make the best of her way to Rathcrogan, 
 eighteen miles away. Then, turning about, he drove 
 straight back to his home in Murthemney, for his heart 
 was still bitter against King Conor, and he would not 
 go to Emain Macha ; but home was nigh on seventy miles 
 away and the horses spent with the galloping to and fro 
 in the conflict. 
 
 On the evening of the day after the battle of Garach, 
 Emer was sitting in the hall of Cuchulain'a dun spinning 
 and singing softly to herself. She was alone, for Dectera 
 had driven out. to see if any tidings could be obtained of 
 how the war went. 
 
 The buzz of the humming wheel drowned all sounds from 
 without, but presently Emer seemed to feel a presence 
 within the room. Looking up she saw Cuchulain standing 
 just within the door. With a low glad cry she rose and 
 went to him. 
 
 It was the first sight he had had of her for many long 
 days more like years it seemed, so much had he passed 
 through and his heart leaped within his breast, a flush 
 mantled his cheeks and then died away, for he was 
 strangely shy and reverent to women for one who dwelt 
 in that rough age ; moreover, his whole fine simple nature 
 adored Emer with a great and lasting love that over- 
 shadowed everything else in his life and surrounded her 
 with a halo of glory and perfection in his eyes.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULL AN 247 
 
 No word he said as she came towards him, but simply 
 waited and then gathered her up in his strong arms in a 
 passionate yet tender embrace. 
 
 But Emer was not silent after the first rapture of wel- 
 come was over, for she gave thanks to the powers of 
 Light with all her soul for the safe return of her warrior- 
 husband. Then they sat together hand in hand in the 
 gathering gloom while Cuchulain told the .tale of the 
 saving of Ulster, and thus Dectera found them when she 
 returned from her search for news. 
 
 A week passed during which Cuchulain rested and 
 allowed his wounds to heal. 
 
 Great peace he found in the presence of his wife, but 
 inwardly he sorrowed for the death of Ferdia by his hands. 
 On the eighth day, messengers came from the King 
 bidding him to Emain Macha, where the Princes and 
 Chieftains of the Red Branch Hostel were gathering to 
 discuss terms of peace with Ailell and Maev and the 
 Chieftains of Connacht. Now Cuchulain was unwilling 
 to go to Emania, but he was most anxious that no peace 
 should be made which might harm Fergus Mac Boy and 
 the other exiles from Ulster who had fought on Maev's 
 side in the battles. Therefore he made ready to go, and 
 the next morning departed; but first he clothed himself 
 as became a great noble journeying to the Court of the 
 King. 
 
 Over his body armour he wore a tunic of pure silk 
 embroidered with gold, and on his head was set a crested 
 helmet studded with beautiful gems, which he had won 
 at the games overseas. At his side hung his gold hilted, 
 jewel encrusted, sword, and behind the chariot rode two 
 of his Nubians bearing his spear and shield. With them 
 rode a mighty Norseman bearing his axe. 
 
 When he arrived at Emain Macha the Council of 
 Princes and Chieftains was already assembled in the 
 great hall of the dun, and a seat was reserved for him 
 at the King's right hand in honour of the service he had 
 rendered the land by holding the Pass. 
 
 As he came up the hall, the warriors rose to 
 their feet nnd hailed him, " Welcome, thou Splendour
 
 248 
 
 of Ulster, Glory of the North, Watcher by the Fords, 
 Hound of Cullan." As they hailed him the King 
 beckoned to him, but taking no notice, Cuchulain 
 strode across to where Conall stood and took his 
 place beside him, whereat the King flushed angrily 
 and the skin over the hole in his head where the 
 brain-ball had entered, pulsated and throbbed so, that 
 Fingen, who was ever at his side now, laid a warning 
 hand upon his arm and pressed him back gently into 
 his seat. As he sank down all the company resumed 
 their seats also. 
 
 Presently there was a great stir at the far end of the 
 hall as a nourish of trumpets announced the arrival of 
 Ailell and Maev with the Princes and Chieftains of Con- 
 nacht. When the royal pair stepped into the hall, the 
 golden sunlight streaming in through the open door 
 behind them, struck fire from Ailell 's helm; but if it 
 struck fire from the helm of Ailell, it was as nothing 
 to the fiery glow of Maev's head, where the wandering sun- 
 beams seemed to have entrapped themselves within her 
 hair and to linger lovingly there to lighten awhile the 
 gloom of the sombre hall. Behind the King and Queen 
 walked the six Princes of Connacht, for of the seven 
 Maine's, Orlam alone had been slain in the recent fighting. 
 After the Princes walked Fergus Mac Boy alone at the 
 head of the champions of Erin. 
 
 Half way up the hall the King and Queen of Connacht 
 stopped and bent the knee to Conor Mac Nessa and then, 
 looking around, they bowed to Cuchulain, firstly because 
 they regarded him as the real defender of Ulster, and 
 secondly, in gratitude for the kindness he had shown 
 to Maev when she lay a captive in his hands. 
 
 Chairs were placed for Ailell and Maev facing the King 
 of Ulster, and behind them stood the Princes and Fergus, 
 while the Chieftains and Champions grouped themselves 
 on the benches around. 
 
 King Conor spoke the words of greeting, and then 
 Queen Maev rose to open the council of peace. 
 
 " High King of Ulster, and thou my Lords and Cham 
 pions," said she, " we are come to thy court this day
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 249 
 
 under safeguard of thy sacred oath, but not as vanquished 
 foemen to hansel for peace, but rather as the leaders of 
 great armies in the field, to discuss terms. True thou 
 hast prevailed in the first onset, yet our host is not so 
 scattered but tEat it may be brought together again and 
 the fight fought out to the brtter end if need be. Yet the 
 shadow of war hath lain heavy on the lands, thy land 
 and ours, and for too long a time fire and a bloody sword 
 have ruled the borders between us. Strong blows have 
 been struck, strong men have fallen, and with them in 
 the passing hour have gone matrons, blithe maids, and 
 sweet eyed children. Nor have we had great profit of 
 the raid, for know ye that the Bed Bull of Ailell the 
 famous Finnebach is dead, and dead with him is tho 
 Brown Bull of Quelgny, for they have destroyed each 
 other. Say then, ye champions of Ulster, what terms 
 of peace offer ye to Connacht and her brother provinces 
 leagued in arms'? " 
 
 As she finished speaking, Maev sank down into her seat 
 amidst a murmur of approval from her followers, which 
 was quickly hushed as King Conor rose to name the 
 terms. ' The terms of peace are already set in our 
 minds," began the King; "but, lest they seem over 
 onerous in thy eyes, ye rulers and chieftains of Connacht, 
 I would first set forth the case ere naming the terms. " He 
 paused for a moment, and then continued : 
 
 " As the Queen hath said, trouble and dissension have 
 reigned in the borders too long over long to be easily 
 checked at a spoken word. As for the quarrel in which 
 men have fallen, it was none of our seeking, but rather, 
 we have reason to believe brought about by certain mal- 
 contents, exiles from our court, who, travelling far and 
 wide (here he looked straight at Fergus) endeavoured to 
 stir up strife throughout the land of Erin. At last they 
 came to the court of an ambitious woman, greedy for 
 gain, who, fired thereto by the tales they told to her of the 
 great plunder to be got by the spoiling of Ulster, hosted 
 a mighty force to carry fire and the sword into this 
 Province. 
 
 "All things were against us, for the Curse of Macha
 
 250 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 lay heavy on our manhood, turning our strength to weak- 
 ness and our might to water. Yet one faithful soul un- 
 touched by mortal ills, stood to 'fend the 'fenceless land. 
 At the fords Cuchulain harried ye, and at the Pass he 
 beat ye back. Changed then was thy plan, and thou 
 didst march South and East to force another way; but 
 there the host of Ulster waited, and against it thy might 
 was as naught; as the rising waves pass over the sand bar 
 at high tide, so we passed over ye until Queen Maev herself 
 lay prisoned in our grasp, but was kindly entreated and 
 set at liberty by our greatest champion him who she 
 had first endeavoured to seduce from his loyalty, and 
 whose death she afterwards tried to encompass, sending 
 one champion after another against him in single combat 
 by the ford. 
 
 " These things being so, it seems that Connacht lies 
 within the palm of our hand to do with as we will, and 
 yet in our clemency the terms of peace we dictate 
 not offer are not so hard as they well might have been. 
 
 " First, as the Brown Bull of Quelgny was made the 
 excuse for the attack, that offer which was made to Dara 
 in secret shall be fulfilled, and to him shall be given as 
 much land in Connacht as he now holds in Ulster, together 
 with a score of cumals*. 
 
 " Second. To the widow or orphan of every man who 
 hath fallen shall be paid twelve cumals. 
 
 " Third. The royal herds of Connacht shall be handed 
 to us as a war fine. 
 
 " Fourth. The exiles from Ultonia who have raised 
 sword against their own land shall be handed over, that 
 each one of them may die a death of infamy. 
 
 " Fifth. The six Maine's shall dwell at our court as 
 hostages for the duration of the peace. 
 
 " Sixth. The peace shall last for seven years." 
 
 As clause after clause was added to the tale of the 
 terms, a murmur of disapproval arose, nor was it con- 
 fined to the people of Ailell and Maev, for many there 
 
 * A cumal was the Celtic unit of value equal to the price of 
 a woman slave. Author.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 251 
 
 were of Conor's own people who thought the conditions 
 over hard and the demand for the death of the Ulster 
 exiles unjust. Before any man could voice his feelings, 
 Maev was upon her feet and speaking in a white heat of 
 rage. 
 
 ' These so-called terms, King Conor," she said bitterly, 
 " are such as might be imposed upon a vanquished 
 people with their necks beneath the iron heel of a 
 conqueror, and not such as are offered to a free people 
 strong for war, and yet peace is our desire ; listen, there- 
 fore, to the terms we will accept : 
 
 " Thy first and second conditions we agree to, and of 
 our royal herd we will pay to thee one-half; thy fourth 
 condition we absolutely refuse, for never shall it be said 
 that Maev gave up to a merciless, bloodthirsty tyrant 
 those who sought her aid and fought valiantly in her 
 quarrel. Thine own hand and bloody deeds of shame 
 drove the champions from thy court, King Conor, and 
 into thy hands will I never deliver them; better were it 
 that all should die fighting, than such shame be put 
 upon us and them. Nor will we trust the Princes, our 
 sons, into thy hands as hostages, knowing how thou didst 
 treat the sons of Usna after thy royal word had been 
 pledged that they might return to thy land in peace and 
 dwell in safety. 
 
 " For thy sixth condition yes ! We are willing for seven 
 years of peace, and to it we pledge our word which has 
 never yet been broken, but we give no hostages. These 
 are our terms for thee to take or leave as pleaseth thee 
 best. I have no more to say! " 
 
 " Ye have heard our terms," said Conor sullenly, " and 
 I care not greatly for gear or hostages, but the traitors 
 who fought against me I will certainly have! 
 
 "So! It is to be war," said Maev, rising up. 
 
 " Aye, war! red war! North, South, East and West if 
 thou wilt have it, woman! " shouted Conor, "but see 
 thou dost not fall into my hands, or the fate of Deirdre 
 and the Sons of Usna shall be nothing to thy fate and 
 the fate of those thou boldest dear." 
 
 And now the Queen turned to depart, but before ever
 
 252 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 she had gone a dozen paces, Guchuiain was on his feet, 
 and as he began to speak she turned to listen to him. 
 
 " My lord the King speaks over freely and takes 
 strange liberty with the minds and wishes of the free 
 lords of Ulster, methinks," said he, " and it seems, if 
 I read faces aright, that those who fought for the land 
 in the hour of need are not over pleased with the terms 
 my lord the King dictates; nor have I, for one, been 
 consulted in the drawing up of these terms, although I 
 was summoned from dun Dalk for that purpose. 
 
 " Queen Maev speaks truth when she says that thou 
 didst drive Fergus, Ferdia, and thine own son Cormac 
 from Emania by the foulness of thy deeds, and I for one 
 will fight in no war of revenge on those who set their 
 own honour above the favour of a King." 
 
 At this saying a murmur of approval went up from all 
 the warriors except Owen Mac Darucht and a few kindred 
 spirits, but King Conor sprang to his feet, and shaking 
 his fist in the air he thundered, " Boy ! dost thou dare to 
 set thyself against me? Dare to speak so but once again 
 and I will have thee scourged to death." 
 
 "I dare to speak as I choose, King Conor," said 
 Cuchulain boldly, and then added, his passions fully 
 roused, " moreover I too know the story of the slaying 
 of the Sons of Usna and the rape of Deirdre, and in that 
 matter I hold thee forsworn and an oath breaker, and if 
 thou dost persist in claiming the lives of Fergus and 
 his fellow exiles, I name thee niddering as well." 
 
 Then in his fury Conor lugged out his sword and made 
 to rush at Cuchulain across the hall. But the effort and 
 the excitement were too much for him; the brain-ball 
 burst out through the hole by which it had entered into 
 his head, and he straightway fell down dead upon the 
 floor. 
 
 There was a horrified hush in the hall, and for a 
 moment no man moved, but at last Cathbad the Druid 
 raised his hand and said in an awed voice, " The King 
 is dead ' ' ; then he turned and whispered awhile to 
 Cuchulain and Conall, after which the latter spoke :
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 253 
 
 " Queen Maev ! it is our wish that for to-day the con- 
 ference should end. To-morrow at noon we will meet 
 again and settle the terms of peace; meanwhile thou 
 shalt rest here in Emania as honoured guests." 
 
 Thereafter all that company passed out of the hall, 
 and as each warrior friend and foe alike passed that 
 still form he drew his sword and saluted the King, who 
 had passed to a greater Kingdom to give account of his 
 works to the Greatest King of all. 
 
 Late that night the chieftains, champions and priests 
 of Ulster sat discussing who should be king in Conor's 
 place, for his line was now extinct save for the little son 
 of Deirdre, who some said was not the son of the King 
 at all, but of Xaisi Mac Usna. At last they said that 
 Cuchulain and none other should wear the crown and 
 sit in the King's high place, and word of this was brought 
 by Conall to Cuchulain, for he would not join their 
 council, holding himself in a measure responsible for 
 the King's death. When Conall brought him word of 
 the decision the Council had come to, he said nothing, 
 but in his heart he had another plan, for he had no 
 desire for kingship. 
 
 So, with his plan fresh in his mind, he rose up early 
 on the morrow and went to the women's quarters of the 
 King's dun, and bade the women of the household clothe 
 Dalan, the little son of Deirdre, in his richest robes, but 
 to mention the matter to none of the men folk. And 
 then he went away to find Laeg ; him he bade take Dalan 
 and keep him in the little room behind the high seat 
 in the great hall; next he gave him very careful instruc- 
 tions, for in that which he purposed, Cuchulain relied 
 very largely on dramatic effect which should appeal 
 strongly to the warm Celtic temperament. 
 
 By noon the whole conference was assembled, with 
 Ailell and Maev in their chairs facing the empty throne. 
 In silence they waited, for none knew who should open 
 the terms of peace. Suddenly Cathbad, the venerable 
 and ancient druid, appeared standing at the foot of the 
 f-mptv high sent. 
 
 " By your leavp, royal guests," said he, " before we can
 
 254 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 arrange the terms of peace we must choose from among 
 us one who shall fill the empty place of him who hath 
 gone beyond, and who shall lead us in the council and 
 the battle." He paused; then turning to the champions 
 he called in a loud voice, " Say, men of Ulster, who 
 name ye to hold the High Kingship? " 
 
 With one voice the answer thundered back, " We 
 name Cuchulain, the Glory of the North to be our King ! " 
 And from without came cheer upon cheer from the 
 waiting men at arms. 
 
 Cathbad looked across the space which separated him 
 from Cuchulain, and said: 
 
 " Cuchulain, thou hast deserved well of the land 
 which hath been saved by thy might and cunning, and 
 thy peers have chosen thee for their overlord; take then 
 the crown and wear it, and with it hold the rights of 
 the high justice, the middle and the low! " 
 
 Thereat Cuchulain leaped upon the steps of the throne 
 and stood there with the sun falling full upon him, and 
 flashing back from the polished rim of the great buckler 
 upon his left arm. 
 
 " That which ye offer, comrades and I thank thee 
 for the honour is yet scarcely thine to give. Kings are 
 of the god-folk born to power, and while such an one yet 
 lives and is of the true line, no lesser man may grasp 
 his heritage, and I have yet to learn that Dalan son of 
 King Conor and the Lady Dejrdre, is dead. His it is to 
 wear the crown, and mine to guard the land; but if ye 
 say the lad is yet too young, then I say let Fergus Mac 
 Roy hold the throne in trust for him, for forget not that 
 he once ruled in Ulster, and but gave up the throne to 
 Conor that he might wed with Conor's mother, Nessa, 
 who was first wife to his own half brother Fachtra, the 
 great king, to whom she bore Conor. With Fergus's 
 great wisdom to rule the land, and my lucky sword to 
 hold the passes until the lad be a king full grown, the 
 years ahead shall be full of prosperity and peace." 
 Stepping back a pace and putting out his hand behind 
 him, he drew the little lad Dalan forward from the place 
 where Laeg had kept him concealed in the shadow, and,
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 255 
 
 swinging him high aloft seated on his broad buckler, he 
 shouted : 
 
 "Ho! comrades, see the rightful heir to the throne; 
 bend the knee in homage, ye warriors! " 
 
 So sudden and dramatically unexpected was the act, 
 that those grim, war-scarred warriors were swept away 
 on a tide of emotion; they bent the knee as Cuchulain 
 ordered, and then rising up flashed out their swords as 
 they gave to the child the royal salute. 
 
 Cathbad came swiftly up the steps and set the sceptre 
 in the tiny right hand and placed the crown beside Dalan 
 on the shield. Then Cuchulain strode down the hall and 
 out into the open, holding the child high aloft on the 
 buckler, out into the great courtyard where the sun kissed 
 the golden baby curls and lit up the laughing baby 
 mouth, and as he came he cried to the waiting soldiery : 
 
 " Shout, men, for the Ulster King, and up with the 
 Ulster swords," and as he cried aloud a thousand swords 
 leaped clear of their scabbards and a thousand deep 
 voices acclaimed, " Long life to King Dalan! Long life 
 to Cuchulain the King's Hound! " 
 
 As they shouted, Fergus was seen standing in the 
 doorway, with a mist of gladness in his old eyes that he 
 was back in Ulster as an Ultonian. 
 
 When they saw him, all the soldiers who loved him 
 and had served under him, followed Cuchulain as he led 
 the cheer: 
 
 " Long life to Fergus Mac Roy, the King who serves 
 the King!" 
 
 Then Cuchulain lifted the little lad down from the 
 shield and kissed him. For a moment Cathbad set the 
 royal crown upon his brow and blessed him, before the 
 waiting nurse led him away to his play. 
 
 In this way was the matter settled, and bacl^n the hall 
 the peace conference was opened anew, but that matter 
 was soon settled too, for it was agreed that the terms 
 should stand as Maev had wished yesterday. 
 
 Thereafter there followed the appointed days of 
 mourning for King Conor Mac Nessa, and after them,
 
 2.56 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 the days of feast.ing and rejoicing on the accession of the 
 baby king, Dalan. 
 
 When all the feasting and rejoicing were over, King 
 Ailell and Queen Maev returned to Rathcrogan with their 
 following, the exiles to their homes within the Province 
 of Ulster, and Cuchulain went home to his dun in Murth- 
 emney. Fergus Mac Eoy took up the reins of govern- 
 ment at Emain Macha; one of the first things he did 
 was to re-establish the Boy Corps, or perhaps one should 
 say he formed a new Corps, for of the previous one, which 
 was commanded by Prince Follaman, not a single lad 
 survived the Battle of the Pass, when they went so bravely 
 to the aid of their old comrade Cuchulain, and sacrificed 
 themselves gladly in the defence of the land at the 
 time the Ultonian Debility lay heavy on the men warriors.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAtf 257 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 FIFTEEN years have passed since the death of Conor Mac 
 Nessa and the crowning of the baby king, Dalau. 
 
 They have been years of peace and plenty for Ulster 
 and great happiness for Cuchulain, although fraught 
 with partings and some sorrows, as all years must be in 
 the immortal scheme of things while the eternal cycle 
 of Time rolls on and our mortality yet imprisons our 
 spirits. 
 
 Dectera has passed into the Great Beyond, happy 
 to the last in the happiness of her son and his wife. 
 Black Sainglend and the Grey of Macha no longer draw 
 the great war car day by day; they lived in honoured 
 peace in the quietude of the home paddocks, and only 
 don their harness on great occasions or for State cere- 
 monies. 
 
 Cathbad the Druid, too, is dead, but Fergus, very 
 ancient now, still rules the land wisely and well, main- 
 taining peace with all the neighbouring provinces. 
 
 Year by year the young King has grown to beauteous 
 manhood, learning statecraft at the hands of Fergus, and 
 skill in war from Cuchulain and Conall of the Victories; 
 but as yet he has had no actual experience of conflict 
 or blows struck in anger, for of late years peace had 
 reigned on every hand. True, in the second year after 
 Fergus assumed the government of Ulster as Viceroy, 
 Owen Mac Duracht and his cronies rose in rebellion, and 
 with the aid of Lewey and the men of Munster tried to 
 wrest the throne of Ulster from its guardians, but so 
 great and awful was the carnage wrought by Cuchulain 
 and Conall of the .Victories, that no further attempts 
 were made. Three years after this news carne that the 
 twelve sons of Nechtan were plotting sedition with Owen 
 at their dim by Brugh ua Boyna, and against them it 
 
 R
 
 258 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 was Fergus's purpose to send a thousand men under 
 Conall. Cuchulain heard of his intention, and, disguising 
 himself and Laeg his charioteer, he drove swiftly to the 
 White Cairn on the Mountains of Mourne, whence he 
 looked northward over the land he guarded and south- 
 ward to Teltin, where he had done his first great feat at 
 the Lugnasad. Then he bade Laeg point out to him dun 
 Nechtan, and thither he drove without delay. 
 
 Arrived at his destination, he found a fortress great 
 and grim confronting him, and before it a huge pillar 
 stone with a geise carved on it that no man should pass 
 it by until he had conquered one of the sons of Nechtan. 
 
 About this pillar he set his arms, and after straining 
 for many minutes he overset it with a mighty heave. 
 The crash of its falling brought Foill Mac Nechtan 
 running from the dun. Cucliulain did not wait to engage 
 him in sword play, but, fitting a stone to his sling, he 
 cast it with such force that it passed right through Foill's 
 skull, stretching him dead on the grass. Thereafter the hero 
 fought and slew the other eleven brothers one by one, 
 and last of all he slew Owen Mac Duracht, who had been 
 his enemy for so long. Then he bade Laeg cut off the 
 heads of the fallen, and bind six to each of the chariot 
 wheels, but the head of Owen he cut off himself, and 
 set it upon the point of the pole between the horses. 
 
 This work finished, he went within the dun and fired 
 it so that the glare in the sky of the conflagration brought 
 the retainers of Nechtan hurrying home to view Cuchu- 
 lain's handiwork. Of Cuchulain they found no other sign, 
 for he was far away, driving fast to meet the Ulster 
 soldiers under Conall, and it is told that as he drove, 
 sixteen white swans flew in a wedge above his head, while 
 two great stags raced on either side of his chariot, so 
 that his own people were terrified when he met them, 
 thinking that a visitant from the People of Dana travelled 
 upon the earth. 
 
 As King's Champion, to which office he had been 
 appointed after Fergus assumed the Viceroyalty, Cuchu- 
 lain was often at Emain Macha, but best of all he 
 loved to dwell at his home in Murthemney with Emer
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 259 
 
 ever by his side, and all that remained of the old retainers 
 he had brought with him from overseas, and who had 
 backed him bo nobly in the famous Battle of the Pass, 
 around him. There too he would pass long happy months 
 with his horses and hounds, hunting the deer, the wild 
 boar, and the wolves, or superintending the cultivation 
 of his lands. 
 
 One great shadow there was, however, upon the lives 
 of those two perfect lovers, for, as Emer had prophesied, 
 no children were born to them ; of this matter they rarely 
 spoke for all hope seemed to have vanished with the- 
 passing years. 
 
 An evening came upon a day, however, when as they 
 sat gazing out over their fruitful fields, Emer said to her 
 husband : 
 
 "It is a sad thing, Cuchulain, to be a woman, hale 
 and hearty, with mother-love yearning in the heart and 
 yet never to have a child to lay at the breast, to fondle, 
 love and plan for, and never a son to carry on thy great 
 name when we have passed hence, nor baby hands to 
 wave farewell when thou dost drive forth to war, or little 
 arms to clasp about thy neck when thou returnest 
 victorious as ever." 
 
 "It is sad indeed," answered Cuchulain, "and the 
 fault is mine, for mine was the sinning, and yet the 
 punishment falls heavy on us both." 
 
 Silence fell between them for awhile as each thought 
 their own thoughts, but each thought of the same matter, 
 for both of them thought of Connla, the son who had been 
 born to Cuchulain by Aifa, and of whom he had heard 
 no word since that day on which he left the Land of 
 Shadows and the dun of Skatha. 
 
 " Connla must be a youth well grown by this time," 
 said Emer at last, putting the thoughts of both of them 
 into words. 
 
 ' Yes," said Cuchulain. 
 
 " He will surely come to Ireland soon," Emer con- 
 tinned, " and then I shall love him as my own son, 
 although he is not flesh of my flesh, nor came he into the 
 world through pangs of mine."
 
 260 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 "Of a truth thou art sweetness 'self, Emer ! " ex- 
 claimed Cuchulain gratefully; " by reason of my ill-doing 
 thou hast been robbed of the crown and glory of woman- 
 hood, yet art thou ready to welcome the fruits of my 
 sinning as thine own flesh and blood, and to cherish him 
 with love and mother-comfort. ' ' 
 
 " Ah husband! " she answered, " dost thou know so 
 little of a woman's love that thou hast yet to learn that 
 thy sins and sorrows are mine, equally with thy joys and 
 glory. It was not to be with thee in thy happiness alone 
 that I swore the vows and drank the bride-cup, but to 
 share thy troubles and trials, and to bring thee ease and 
 comfort in pain and unhappiness. Every woman is 
 fashioned, Cuchulain, to mother and protect some man. 
 It is only where a maid gives her hand where her heart 
 may not go too, that sorrow is bred of wedlock. Is not 
 this youth Connla flesh and blood of thy body, and are 
 we, too, not one? Surely then he is of me too, for I am 
 of thee, therefore shall he be to me as mine own son." 
 
 " Well," said Cuchulain, " I trust he may repay 
 thee love for love as I shall ever do. This, too, I say : 
 that if all men were blessed with such true mates as 
 thou dost prove to me, why then this world were a better 
 place in which to dwell." 
 
 Not long after they had finished speaking, a messenger 
 arrived from Emain Macha, bidding Cuchulain to a feast 
 which should be held on the morrow at the Strand of 
 the Footprints, in honour of the young King's birthday. 
 Cuchulain excused himself from going, for in spite of 
 Emer's brave words, he saw that her spirit was downcast 
 and her heart somewhat sad. He did not give the matter 
 another thought after the messenger had departed, yet 
 had he known it, it was fore-ordained that he should 
 attend the feast, and already the Fates were pregnant 
 with trouble, the end of which no man might foretell. 
 
 The dawn broke bright on the King's birthday, merrily 
 went the feast and the games at the Strand of the Foot- 
 prints. Presently as they rested from the play, one of 
 the champions looked out to sea; there, travelling up 
 the path of the sun, he perceived a little coracle, its
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 261 
 
 wickerwork sides overlaid with plates of bronze hammered 
 thin; as it came, the oars flashed golden in the sunlight; 
 the oarsman ceased to row, and, standing up in the midst 
 of his tiny craft, he commenced slinging stones at the 
 seagulls with unerring aim. Presently a school of porpoises 
 rose not far from him, and these he slew, one by one, 
 with his light casting javelins. 
 
 Now it must be told that of all things, King Dalan 
 was most proud of his skill at arms, and when he saw 
 the oarsman, whom he judged to be a boy little older 
 than himself, performing feats which he knew he could 
 not accomplish, a jealous rage ate into his heart, where- 
 fore he sent his body servant Condery down to the 
 water's edge to bid the stranger depart whence he came, 
 as it was the King's desire, that he should set no foot 
 on Irish soil. 
 
 " Tell the King that I go back for no man, for I come 
 to Ireland under geise and upon a quest ordained at my 
 birth," said the youth. With that he sprang upon the 
 shore and strode boldly up the strand. 
 
 To have his authority thus set at naught, enraged 
 Dalan beyond bearing. 
 
 " Conall," he called, " drive me this stripling from 
 our shores." 
 
 Conall went forward to do the King's bidding, but so 
 mighty a warrior as he had no wish to cut down one 
 whom he considered an immature youth. 
 
 " Go back to thy boat and depart ere a worse thing 
 befall thee," he said, laying a hand upon his sword. 
 Before he could draw the weapon, the lad leaped on him 
 and bore him to the ground with a strength amazing in 
 one so slight and young; nor was this all, for no sooner 
 was the preat champion upon the ground, than he found 
 himself tightly bound with the straps of his own shield. 
 
 Champion after champion the King sent against the 
 young invader; some he disabled, others he bound, but 
 he slew no man. 
 
 At last Fergus called out to the King to have done 
 and to welcome the lad as an honoured guest. 
 
 " Not so," replied Dalan, " I will now send for Cuchu-
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 lain, for if the nation to which this stranger belongs send 
 men of his breed to this shore, the land will be ours no 
 longer." To this Fergus had nothing to say, so the King 
 turned to Condery. 
 
 " Ride," said he, "to dun Dalle, and bid the Lord 
 Cuchulain come hither instantly, bringing with him his 
 weapons of war "; and after a pause he added, " Say to 
 him, ' Here a stranger waits who has overthrown and 
 bound the Lord Conall and all the most valiant champions 
 of the land, and that the honour of Ulster is in danger 
 at his hands! ' " 
 
 Condery bowed, sprang upon a horse, and within an 
 hour he had delivered his message at Cuchulain's dun, 
 and as he told the tale Emer stood by her husband's 
 side and listened. 
 
 " Ah! go not to this fray," she cried, " for my heart 
 foretells ill of it." 
 
 " Never yet have I flinched from fight," answered 
 Cuchulain, " and though I knew death awaited me on 
 the Strand of the Footprints yet would I go." 
 
 " It is not death for thee that my heart forebodes," 
 said Emer, " but death to one who is dearer to thee than 
 life." 
 
 " Thou speakest strangely, Emer. What is in thy 
 mind? Make all the matter clear, I beseech thee. Surely 
 thou canst not fear thine own death in my brief absence?" 
 
 " Nay, my husband, death cometh not to thee or me 
 yet awhile, but think a moment on our talk last night, 
 and say who but Cuchulain, or one of Cuclnilain's blood, 
 could overthrow all the mightiest champions of Ulster? " 
 
 " Speak no more in riddles, Emer. Dost thou mean 
 that this stranger is Connla, my son? " 
 
 " That indeed is my thought. Think now, Cuchulnin, 
 of the geise thou didst put upon the lad at his birth. He 
 should come to Ireland when his finger fitted thy ring, 
 in other words when he was old enough to bear the arms 
 of manhood. And lo! a stranger lad comes to the shores 
 of Ulster in a mystic boat, performing wonderful feats 
 before ever his keel grinds on the beach. Thou didst say 
 he should never refuse combat, and this boy has fought
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 268 
 
 our doughtiest champions one by one, nor should he ever 
 reveal his name and lineage to man or woman until he 
 had slain his first foe. Well this lad refuses his name to 
 the King, and although he hath overthrown all the cham- 
 pions, jet no man hath he slain. Think, too, of that 
 night when thou didst lie in Aifa's bed and Lugh the 
 Protector, Lugh thy heavenly father, stood beside thee 
 speaking in thy dreams; did he not say, ' One son alone 
 shalt thou have a glorious boy but he shall pass from 
 thee on the wave of thy battle fury.' And lo ! a glorious 
 boy is come, and thou art summoned to do battle 
 with him. Say, lord, do not all things work to an 
 appointed end? Yet, husband, if thou wilt but hear my 
 word, the doom may still be averted. Go to the Strand 
 of the Footprints an' thou wilt, but speak this youth fair. 
 Ask nothing of whence he comes or who he is, but 
 persuade him to serve in the army of Ulster. Thus 
 may he slay his man and break the geise and all end 
 happily. "- 
 
 1 Yes, I will go! " said Cuchulain, " and if may be, 
 will do as thou sayest, for almost do I believe thou art fey 
 and speak true words. Yet I am summoned by the King 
 whose champion I am to fight for the honour of Ulster, 
 so if he wills that I should fight, fight I must; but this 
 I tell thee, though I knew this lad for certain to be 
 Connla's self, yet would I slay him at the King's com- 
 mand, and for the honour of the Province." 
 
 And now Emer sank down on the floor of the hall as she 
 watched her lord pass out through the doors and heard 
 the rumble of his chariot wheels as he drove away to 
 the Strand of the Footprints. 
 
 The little hour which lured Cuchulain to the greatest 
 tragedy of his troubled life drew all too quickly to its 
 close, as the galloping hoofs ate up the road, until he 
 stood between Dalan and Fergus gazing down the beach 
 to where the stranger youth stood alone, tossing on .high 
 a great sword which he caught unerringly by the hilt 
 as it fell: 
 
 Long time Cuchulain gazed, and then turning to the 
 King he spoke :
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 ' ' In yonder youth, lord, I see the greatest champion 
 of all time, beside whose might, when he is become a 
 man full grown, my own deeds and those of even Fergus 
 and Conall shall appear as naught. Were it not, there- 
 fore, well to greet him honourably and make him welcome 
 to the land that we may have profit of his friendship, 
 and, belike, of his service in our hour of need? " 
 
 " No! " replied Dalan; " he hath put shame upon us 
 by the overthrow of our mightiest men ; see even now 
 where they lie bound and vanquished. Moreover he has 
 flouted me, for he will in nowise divulge who he is or 
 whence he journeys. All he will say is that h,e visits 
 Ireland under geise upon a quest ordained at his birth. 
 No! we will shew him no hospitality, and he shall cer- 
 tainly die." 
 
 Cuchulain started and grew sad when he heard that 
 the strange youth had come to Ireland under geise and 
 on a fore-ordained errand, for it seemed to confirm the 
 suspicions of the stranger's identity which Emer's words 
 had awakened in his mind. Now Fergus was watching 
 his old comrade and pupil keenly throughout this conver- 
 sation, and seeing Cuchulain's countenance drop, he 
 readily divined that there was some reason for the 
 hero's advice that the stranger youth should be welcomed 
 to Ultonia, wherefore he hastened to add his word to 
 that of the King's champion. 
 
 " Lord! " said Fergus to Dalan, " were it meet for 
 me so to do, I would remind thee of the loyal service 
 Cuchulain hath ever rendered to thy house and to the 
 land of Ulster; moreover we have ever counselled thee 
 for the best, so that these long years past in Ulster there 
 hath been peace and security, and now I add my word 
 to his and say to thee, welcome the stranger well, and 
 good shall come of it." 
 
 But Dalan was jealously perverse. 
 
 " Very well," said he, "if the honour of Ulster is less 
 to thee both than the safety of every wandering rogue 
 who comes to our shores, let the fellow be taken with 
 honour to Emania or whereso else thou wilt. All I ask 
 is that ye keep him out of my way, for he hath brought
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 205 
 
 great scorn upon the House of the Bed Branch this day. 
 Also, one other thing I stipulate, that he shall first tell 
 his name and lineage, whence he comes, and what is the 
 wondrous quest of which he speaks, for I welcome no 
 nameless man. If he will not tell it, why then Cuchulain 
 shall fight with him, and if Cuchulain will not, then, by 
 Dana, I will! Yes, though he slay me! " Thus saying, 
 he strode angrily away, leaving Cuchulain and Fergus 
 alone together. 
 
 " Why so set to save this youth, Cuchulain? " queried 
 the old warrior. 
 
 "Ah, Fergus! " answered he, "I greatly fear that 
 this lad is my own son Connla whom Aifa hath sent from 
 the Land of Shadows to search for me as I did bid her, 
 and if so he will not reveal his name, and I must slay 
 him or he me." 
 
 "Nay! if this be so, have naught to do with the 
 matter, for 'twere better to let a King sulk for awhile 
 than to slay thine only son." 
 
 " Not so! for were he thrice my son, yet would I still 
 slay him for the honour of Ulster, and at the command 
 of that King whom I set upon the throne. No more 
 words, old friend, for I must needs speak with this 
 wanderer, while thou, by his leave, shall set the Cham- 
 pions free." 
 
 Cuchulain passed down the Strand to where the youth 
 stood and rested by the water's edge. 
 
 "Greeting!" said Cuchulain, "and welcome to 
 Ulster!" 
 
 "Greeting! " answered the youth, " and thanks be 
 to thee for those the first pleasant words that have come 
 to my ears since I set foot upon these shores. Indeed," 
 he added with a whimsical smile very like Cuchulain's 
 own, " the people of this land seem more lavish of blows 
 than of speech." 
 
 "Ah well! " returned Cuchulain, " strong blows are 
 the tokens of a brave man's heart. But tell me, who art 
 thou, whence dost thou come, and for what purpose? 
 Nay," he added, as he saw refusal writ large upon the 
 boy's countenance, " I ask not from idle curiosity, but
 
 266 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 because I would tell these matters to the King that he 
 may make thee welcome, and if it be thy will, find for 
 thee a place in his army." 
 
 " There is nothing in the world I desire more than to 
 be welcome in Ultonia," answered the youth, "for here 
 it is that I must follow my quest. Yet I cannot tell thee 
 that which thou dost ask, for to do so were to break the 
 geise set upon me at my birth, and this I will not do." 
 
 " Think well before thy final word is given," said the 
 older man; " on it may hang thy life, for the King hath 
 decreed that unless these matters are made plain, I, 
 the King's champion, must fight with thee." 
 
 " I grieve! but my answer is already given, and I go 
 not back on it nor break a geise." 
 
 " So be it ! " said Cuchulain, and as he drew his sword 
 he sighed. 
 
 For a moment they stood on guard, and then fell to, 
 and to this day the story is handed down by the 
 descendants of the champions who stood around and 
 watched, that never was such sword play seen in Ireland 
 before or since, nor ever will be seen again, than when, 
 for the first and last time in his life, Cuchulain found 
 sword-craft outmatched by a more skilful fighter than 
 himself. 
 
 At last the boy delicately shore off a long lock of his 
 opponent's hair, whereat Cuchulain cast away his sword, 
 thinking to yield himself and thus save this glorious youth 
 alive, but his purpose was mistaken, and in an instant 
 he found himself encircled in a grip of steel. Hither and 
 thither they wrenched and strained and struggled, their 
 feet sinking deep into the sand and churning it up, but 
 neither could out-wrestle the other; then as they paused 
 and gasped in great sobbing breaths, men shouted until 
 the air shook, for the struggle was Titanic. 
 
 No long pause did they make for rest, but fell to again 
 with a will, and ever as they wrestled they drew nearer 
 to the water's edge. At last they are in it, and the waves 
 lap about their middles as each strives his utmost for the 
 mastery.
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 267 
 
 Cuchulain's foot slips on a rock, and with a mighty 
 splash they disappear beneath the waves, and the waters 
 boil and bubble over and around them. Now and then 
 their heads burst together above the surface as they gasp 
 and sob for air, only to disappear again in an instant, their 
 limbs still locked in that dire embrace and struggling 
 fiercely. 
 
 Hours seem to pass, although in reality it can only 
 have been a matter of moments; then the waters 
 reddened, the turmoil died down, and the body of the 
 wanderer rose to the surface, and began to drift out to 
 sea. A little nearer to shore rose the head of Cuchulain, 
 with staring glassy eyes, but yet with consciousness 
 enough remaining, to look around until he saw the floating 
 body, and then, swimming with feeble strokes, he brought 
 the dying lad to shore. Straight up the bank he staggered 
 with his burden, and laid it down at the feet of the King, 
 saying: " Lord, a-ccept Cuchulain's greatest gift to Ulster, 
 the life of his only son " ; for now he knew him for certain 
 by the ring upon his finger; and the youth said "It is 
 true ! I am Connla, and thou art my father Cuchulain 
 whom I came overseas to seek, but woe is me, for in 
 finding thee I am hurt to death, for Skatha never taught 
 me the use of the Gae Bolg or how to guard against it." 
 
 Now what happened beneath the surface of the waves 
 none may say; whether it was that Connla fell upon the 
 Belly Spear in his father's belt, or whether in the mists 
 of dissolution for he was very near to drowning 
 Cuchulain's battle fury came upon him, and he drove 
 the weapon against his only son, will never be known, 
 but certain it is that it was the Gae Bolg which ripped 
 open the stomach of Connla, as certain as that the 
 weapon has been lost from that day to this, and never 
 been seen or used by mortal man again. 
 
 For a while Connla lay quiet while his life blood welled 
 out and was sucked up by the hungry sands. Presently 
 he spoke again, and his voice was woeful weak : 
 
 " Grieve not for me, my father! thou didst not know. 
 Grieve rather for Ulster, for it was foretold to me by a 
 wise man that could I but live to grow to my prime
 
 268 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 at thy side, the King of Ulster should conquer and rule, 
 not only Ireland, but the world as far as the Pillars of 
 Hercules, aye and beyond, even to the seven hills of 
 Rome; but now the chance is gone, my life is done, and 
 thy end draws near, and with our race the Glory of 
 Ulster shall wane and fade until the House of the Red 
 Branch crashes to ruins." 
 
 Again he was silent for a long time, but at last he 
 spoke, and now his voice was little more than a whisper. 
 
 " My father I am dying fast scarcely do mine eyes 
 behold thee more but bring hither I pray thee 
 the famous champions that I may know and await 
 them beyond and give them greeting! " 
 
 Then as he lay in his father's arms, all the great men 
 of Ulster who were there, came and knelt by him to 
 bid him farewell. First came the King, who knelt and 
 wept and begged his forgiveness, confessing freely his 
 jealousy, but the youth whom he had wronged only 
 smiled tiredly, with that look of pitying knowledge in 
 his eyes which death brings to young and old alike at 
 the last, as they gaze beyond the eternal portals and 
 commune with the spirits of those who wait to welcome 
 them to their rest, while they themselves are yet on 
 earth. Last of all came Fergus and Conall together, 
 but when they had said their farewells, and they too 
 would have passed on, he motioned with his eyes that 
 they should bide with his father to speed the parting soul. 
 
 For a while longer he lay thus, gazing calmly out over 
 the sea, then, with a tired fluttering sigh he closed his 
 eyes, and turning in Cuchulain's arms he sank into that 
 sleep from which there is no awakening until the last 
 great trumpet shall sound, the graves yawn, and the sea 
 give up her dead. 
 
 There was no sound of lamentation and no weeping; 
 silently they wrapped him in a cloak and laid him on a bed 
 of spears, and as silently the grim chieftains bore him 
 away up into the Mountains of Mourne, where he might 
 forever lay and look out over the sea across which he 
 had sailed to find his father and his death. 
 
 There they left him in the great cairn they built, with
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 269 
 
 a beautifully fashioned pillar-stone at the head of his 
 grave. 
 
 From that time madness seized upon Cuchulain, or 
 perhaps one should rather say a gentle strangeness, 
 which lead him to wander about the country, succouring 
 the sick and needy and protecting the defenceless and 
 those who were persecuted. In this way was fulfilled 
 the prophecy made at his birth by the druid Morann that 
 he should " win the love of many and right the wrongs 
 of the people." 
 
 Many strange experiences befell him as he journeyed 
 up and down the land, and ever as he wandered, the 
 faithful Laeg went with him to attend to his wants and 
 to guard him from evil, which well might come upon him 
 in his absent-minded forgetfulness. Erner too would 
 have wished to be with him, but this he would in no wise 
 permit. 
 
 The fame of Cuchulain 's goodness to those in trouble, 
 spread far and wide throughout the length and breadth 
 of Ireland, until it came to the ears of Blanid, the un- 
 happy young Queen of the old King Curoi of Munster, 
 who was much persecuted by her husband, but more so 
 by her stepson, Lewey, who was many years older than 
 she was, and who above all things desired her death, in 
 order that he alone might enjoy the riches and power of his 
 father, when the old King should die; indeed he plotted 
 continually to encompass her end, but his intentions were 
 known to Blanid. When news came to her of the might 
 and gentleness of Cuchulain, she took counsel with her 
 trustworthy maid, and telling her where she might obtain 
 a horse, she provided her with money and bade her slip 
 away from the King's dun and make her way to Cuchulain 
 to see if he would come to the aid of her mistress the 
 queen. 
 
 Now since Cuchulain had grown fairy-kist, he loved 
 to lie o'nights by the dwellings of the little folk, so that 
 four nights after the maid had set out from the dun of 
 Curoi, he might have been seen sleeping in the moon- 
 light by the Fairy Mound of Angus on the banks of 
 the Boyne, and as he slept there echoed continually
 
 270 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 through his dreams the hungry baying of great hounds. 
 At last he awoke to find Laeg already silting up, tho 
 baying of the hounds was real and very near, but nothing 
 could be seen as yet, for the moon was veiled by a great 
 cloud bank. Soon, however, the clouds shredded out and 
 the moon broke through, and then there burst upon 
 their sight a terrible vision which brought them to their 
 feet with an angry cry of horror. Across the plain, 
 upon a great horse, there raced a wide-eyed, terror- 
 stricken woman, with clothes dishevelled and hair 
 streaming out behind her, while in her tracks came six 
 fierce bloodhounds, and behind them galloped a great 
 bloated fellow, who whooped on his hounds and struck 
 spurs into his horse's reeking flanks as the moon revealed 
 his quarry. 
 
 For one instant only Cuchulain and Laeg stood at gaze, 
 and then they were racing for the ford, towards which 
 the woman was making, as fast as their feet could carry 
 them, and in their hands flashed naked weapons. 
 
 Would they be in time? It seemed impossible; yet 
 not for nothing had Cuchulain in his youth been known 
 as the fleetest-footed man in all Ireland, and to-night his 
 youthful speed seemed to come back to him. Easily he 
 out-distanced Laeg, and alone plunged into the water, 
 just as the two leading hounds flung themselves forward 
 and fastened their teeth in the horse's flanks on the far 
 bank of the river. The wretched animal screamed in its 
 agony, but not yet might the fierce brutes pull it down. 
 Now Cuchulain was half way across the river, and 
 still the horse struggled gamely on, only to fall at his 
 feet as he cleared the edge of the bank. As it fell, he 
 caught the woman from the saddle and set her behind 
 him as he turned to face the hounds. 
 
 Luckily for Cuchulain he carried a javelin as well as 
 his sword that night. As the first great hound leaped 
 straight at his throat, he dropped to his knee and allowed 
 the brute to impale itself fairly on the spear point, but such 
 was the animal's weight that the shaft was snapped 
 clean in half, and there the dog lay, writhing and biting 
 at the spear head embedded in its body. And now
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 271 
 
 Cuchulain had only just time to whip out his sword 
 before two fresh hounds were upon him. Luckily the 
 other three remained to worry the horse; Cuchulain cut 
 at the first hound as it leaped, and his downward sweeping 
 blow severed the spinal column; but the other, a great 
 dog-hound, fixed his fangs firmly in his clothing in such a 
 way that he could not strike at it without grave risk of 
 dealing himself a serious hurt. He threw his sword to 
 the woman to defend herself as best she might; she was 
 a brave girl, and, leaping forward she hacked savagely 
 at the hound until it released its hold and sank down 
 bleeding from a dozen dreadful wounds. 
 
 By this time Laeg had arrived, but so too had the 
 horseman, who proved to be none other than Cuchulain's 
 old enemy, Lewey; but he did not recognise the deliverers 
 who had appeared from the river, for he was too intent 
 upon whipping his hounds off the horse, so that he might 
 set them on the human quarry and make an end of her. 
 
 In the excitement the girl retained Cuchulain's sword 
 gripped tightly in her hand, so that when the three great 
 hounds, urged on by Lewey, leapt forward, Cuchulain 
 was defenceless, save for his naked hands. One hound 
 Laeg slew with his casting spear, and the next held at 
 bay with his short sword, seeking for an opportunity to 
 get in a mortal blow, but the third, a great tawny brute 
 with black points, leaped straight at Cuchulain's throat 
 and bore him to the ground; nor could any help come to 
 him, for man and beast rolled over and over in a deadly 
 struggle, and to strike at the animal might well have 
 ended the career of the man; but at last he gets the 
 hound pinned with its back against a rock, while he 
 presses his knee hard into its stomach ; his head is thrown 
 back, his face almost black with congested blood as he 
 puts forth all his might. There comes an indescribably 
 horrible rending, sucking sound, and then a ghastly howl 
 of unutterable agony he has torn the great brute's jaws 
 asunder, slaying it with his naked hands. So awful was 
 the sight and so horrible the sounds that Laeg turned 
 pale, the woman fell in a swoon, and Lewey pulled his 
 horse about, and galloped away in a sweat of fear.
 
 272 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Cuchulain seemed absolutely unaffected; drawing a deep 
 breath, he moved away down the river to bathe his torn 
 and bleeding hands, motioning to Laeg as he went to 
 attend to the woman who had fainted. 
 
 When ho came back, the woman was sitting up and 
 ready nay anxious to tell her tale, for already she had 
 learned from Laeg that his master was that Cuchulain 
 of whom her mistress Blanid the Queen had sent her 
 in search. But no word would Cuchulain hear until they 
 had got over the Boyne and back fo their little camp by 
 the Angus Mound, where she w 7 as made to rest and given 
 food and milk, which Laeg heated over the embers of their 
 yesternight's fire. Before ever the poor girl had finished 
 the meal, her head began to nod, and soon she slept the 
 sleep of exhaustion, both mental and physical, with her 
 back against a tree trunk. 
 
 Gently the two men lifted her up, and wrapping her 
 in a cloak laid her in their own little shelter and 
 built up the fire, for the night was cold; then they sat 
 talking, as they awaited the dawn, for neither of them 
 had any further wish for sleep that night, and if the 
 truth must be told, they were both anxious to know 
 why this girl sought Cuchulain so eagerly, why Lewey 
 came to lay his bloodhounds on her track, and whether 
 of a set purpose or from sheer wanton devilry? 
 
 With the first streaks of dawn shewing in the sky, 
 Laeg set to work to prepare the morning meal ; just as 
 it was ready the girl crawled out from the little tent, 
 awakened by the smell of the cooking meat belike, for she 
 was very hungry. Bising to her full height, she stretched 
 her arms abroad, and throwing back her head she yawned, 
 then walked shyly forward to where her rescuers sat upon 
 the turf. 
 
 As she came Cuchulain rose courteously to his feet 
 saying : 
 
 " Greeting of morn, maiden; thou art surely ready 
 and very welcome to join us in our simple repast." 
 
 " Indeed' am I ready to eat, lord! I whose lips had 
 tasted no food from yesterdawn until thou didst feed me 
 last night."
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 275 
 
 As she spoke of last night she shuddered at the recollec- 
 tion of her narrow escape, and turned impulsively to 
 thank her deliverers; but- " Ne'er mind that now," said 
 Cuchulain kindly, " thou wilt be the better able to tell thy 
 tale after thou hast eaten." So for the most part they 
 ate their meal in silence, and then, when Laeg had 
 gone to tend the horses, Cuchulain turned to his guest 
 and said: 
 
 " Now, if it be thy pleasure, thou shalt tell me thy 
 story, and for what reason thou earnest flying across the 
 plain, with Lewey the Liar and his bloodhounds hot upon 
 thy track, in search of Cuchulain." 
 
 "Of myself little need be sadd, bub of the Queen 
 Blanid and of my quest much must be told; yet first 
 I would know one thing. Last night it seemed as I 
 recovered from a swoon upon the banks of yonder river, 
 thy companion did tell me that thou art that Cuchulain 
 the Protector, of whom I have been sent in search. Say, 
 lord! did I but dream, or is this true? " 
 
 "It is true that I am named Cuchulain, and some 
 call me the Protector." 
 
 " Then never was thy help and protection more sorely 
 needed than by the poor woman to whose aid I would 
 bring thee; but perchance thy protection is only for 
 the people of Ulster, and thou art not willing to journey 
 far to succour beauty in distress? " 
 
 " Softly, softly I let us first know more of the matter 
 before promises are either given or taken. I would know 
 who is this queen and what her trouble, and also how 
 Lewey, who has ever been my enemy, comes to be mixed 
 in it." 
 
 " This then is the story, lord! In the Province of 
 Munster in the far South, lives the great King Curoi, and 
 with him his wife Queen Blanid, and his son by another 
 mother, Prince Lewey. The queen is perhaps the best 
 and gentlest of women who walks the earth, but she 
 has no love for Curoi, to whom she was mis-mated 
 against her will; moreover, she is young, lovely, and full 
 of fire, but he is old and hideous, like a gnarled and 
 ancient tree that totters to its doom; the sap is dry in 
 
 8
 
 274 THE HOUND Of CULLAN 
 
 him, Lord, and no children will be born of that union. 
 This Curoi knows, also that his wife loves him not, 
 wherefore he ill uses her shamefully, daring even to 
 scourge her lovely body; but physical pain hurts not 
 my dear lady most, but that the King fills the court 
 with wanton women and profligate, debauched soldiers, 
 boon companions of Lewey's. Faugh ! I tell thee, lord, 
 it is like a piggery, where decent women may not live, 
 where most of all they insult and openly mock the pure 
 young Queen." 
 
 For a moment she paused, looking keenly at Cuchulain, 
 and then continued. 
 
 " Still, Curoi must die soon, for he is old and foul, 
 living as a swine, and so the Queen might have borne her 
 shame and sorrows in patience until the appointed hour, 
 but by our laws, the land passes to her on the old King's 
 death. It may well be that she will wed again and 
 raise up children of another house than that of Curoi, 
 and where then is the inheritance of Prince Lewey? For 
 this reason he plans his step-mother's death; three 
 attempts have been made already, once by poison, once 
 by the knife of the hired assassin, and once by the 
 falling of a rock as we rode out to hunt. By the mercy 
 of God, each attempt has failed, but now must be told 
 a tale of shame unthinkable, which has forced the Queen 
 to seek thy aid. 
 
 " Finding it impossible to bring about her end while 
 faithful servants ever watch over her, Lewey came to 
 the Queen's apartments a week ago and told her that 
 he thought the old King would very soon pass beyond, 
 and then the land would lie within a woman's rule, but 
 he added that it did not seem good to him that so great 
 a burden should be thrown upon his dear Blanid's 
 shoulders, and therefore he would take her to wife after 
 it should please his father to pass beyond the Light." 
 
 "The villain! " exclaimed Cuchulain. 
 
 "Well mayst thou say so; for first he would have 
 murdered the Queen, and now he lusts after his own 
 father's wife, and would, I think, encompass that
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 275 
 
 father's death too to gain his ends, for above all 
 Lewey loves power and riches. 
 
 " The Queen ordered him from her chamber in a royal 
 fury, saying that she would lay the matter before the 
 King on the morrow, but Lewey only laughed. ' The 
 King will not believe thy word against mine, and anyway 
 I can afford to wait,' he said. 
 
 ' When he had gone, the Queen sent for me, and 
 giving me money, she bade me set out as soon as an 
 opportunity should serve, to find thee, and tell thee 
 all the tale and implore thy aid. Five days ago I left 
 the King's dun, and buying a horse, I set out towards 
 Ulster, nor did any mishap befall me till at noon yester- 
 day I heard the bloodhounds baying upon my track; 
 thereafter followed a nightmare ride, of which I can 
 remember little, except that once I rode up a stream to 
 try and shake the pursuit off, only to find two hours 
 later, that they had the line again. After that I remember 
 only galloping hour after hour eternally it seemed 
 until the great hounds leaped upon my poor horse's flank, 
 and at the same moment thou didst spring up over the 
 edge of the river bank to my aid." 
 
 She ceased, and for a time Cuchulain sat pondering 
 her words. So long he sat that the girl's impatience 
 overcame her. 
 
 " Surely, my lord, thou wilt not leave this poor Queen 
 to her fateV " 
 
 "Nay! nay! " said Cuchulain, " I do but think on 
 ways and means to aid her best." Then he added, 
 " Munster will be an unsafe place for thee at present, 
 so thou shalt go with me to Dun Dalk, and dwell awhile 
 there with Erner my wife." 
 
 Once back in Murthemney, Cuchulain rapidly assembled 
 his hundred henchmen. Six of them he disguised as 
 skalds and strolling players and sent on ahead under 
 Luchar to spy out the land and to insinuate themselves 
 into the dun of Curoi if possible. The rest he formed into 
 a caravan of apparently peaceful traders, but in their 
 bundles of chattels they concealed their weapons of war. 
 A week after the coming of the hound-hunted maiden,
 
 276 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 the caravan set out for the south, but as the dim of Curoi 
 was over a hundred and fifty miles distant, and much of 
 the land which lay between hostile and robber ridden, 
 Cuchulain decided to put out in his two great dragons of 
 war from Dundalk Bay, so that he might come to Curoi 's 
 land as it were from overseas. Before he sailed, he des- 
 patched a well-mounted messenger to overtake the party 
 disguised as skalds and players, and to bid Luchar, who 
 had charge of them, to meet his lord secretly upon 
 Wicklow Head on the eighth day. 
 
 Now as they sailed out and away over the sea for it 
 was Cuchulain 's purpose to sail far beyond the limit in 
 which he should meet Irish trading ships, who might caj^y 
 word of his voyaging to Curoi the hero laughed long and 
 loud, and lo ! it was the clear, ringing laugh of a sane man, 
 for Cuchulain was happy to be at sea again, and as he 
 rode the tossing waves, the madness passed from him. 
 
 For seven days the two great galleys sailed the seas, 
 but on the eighth day there rose Wicklow Head above 
 the horizon at the dawn ; Cuchulain caused a little coracle 
 to be dropped over-side, and taking only Laeg with him, 
 he rowed ashore, and there among the rocks he found 
 Luchar awaiting him. 
 
 "Well! " he queried eagerly, " what news? " 
 
 " The best of news, lord ! We have been well received 
 at Dun Curoi, where we dwell until it pleases us to 
 pass on elsewhere; every night we sing or perform for 
 the company, and so are welcome, but the best is yet 
 to be told. Prince Lewey hath led off nearly the whole 
 of his father's retainers northwards, for he guessed the 
 message the maid he hunted bore, and now he hath set 
 out to meet and give thee battle on the Central Plain, 
 thinking thou wilt surely pass that way at the head 
 of a great host." 
 
 " Good! And what force holds the dun? " 
 
 " Barely two hundred men! " 
 
 " Good, again 1 But what of Queen Blanid? " 
 
 " Ah, my lord, that is a sad tale. There she sits 
 night after night in the midst of the King's ' Nunnery of 
 Lights o' Love,' as he is pleased to call them, and their
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 277 
 
 attendant runagate, drunken knaves, who, by the way, 
 have not gone forth to fight in Lewey's train. Yes! there 
 sits the sad-eyed Queen, saying never a word, syne the 
 King w r ill curse her for a spoil-sport and syne draw his 
 dog whip across her cheek to teach her manners to his 
 friends, if she protest against too gross an outrage. Oh ! 
 it is a nice household thou hast sent us to Master, and 
 long 'ere this, had my blade drunk the blood of the 
 villain King and his thrice-damned son, but that I knew 
 a greater vengeance waited." 
 
 "Fear not, Luchar! vengeance cometh in its own 
 good time; but tell me where art housed in the dun? " 
 
 " In the rooms looking down the river towards the 
 sea." 
 
 " To-night, then, thou shalt try to gain the key of the 
 gate, and if this hath been accomplished, shoot an arrow 
 bearing a lighted fire-ball along the river into the water, 
 and at the hour of dawn, steal out and unbar the way 
 to us. Thus will we carry the dun while all men sleep ; 
 but if this may not be, and no arrow is shot to give 
 the sign, we will come boldly up the river to-morrow as 
 peaceful traders and take our chance. In that event, 
 we will leave the second galley outside the mouth of the 
 river, so as not to excite suspicion, and anyway fifty of 
 us with thy help, should be able to force our purpose by 
 surprise once we have effected our entrance into the dun. 
 Go now, and to-night I shall wait on the river for the 
 flaming sign." 
 
 Then as Luchar began to scale the rugged head, Cuchu- 
 lain re-entered the boat and Laeg pulled him back to 
 the dragon, which instantly sailed out to sea again, pulled 
 by the great oars.
 
 278 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 IN the dork of a moonless night, two sentries stood by 
 the river gate of the King's Dun. 
 
 " How still it is," said one. 
 
 " Yes ! and hark how the fish are rising." 
 
 " That was a big fellow that jumped then." 
 
 " Was it? It sounded to me more like the splash of 
 oars. Listen! " 
 
 Suddenly a flash of light gleamed above the river and 
 hissed faintly as it disappeared. 
 
 " What was that? " asked the man who had bade hie 
 comrade listen. 
 
 " Nothing but a shooting star, thou fool," said the 
 other crossly "; " how nervous thou art to-night." 
 
 Then as the other was about to reply angrily, the 
 sound of footsteps which heralded the approach of the 
 commander of the guard as he went his rounds, set them 
 pacing their solitary beats again. 
 
 The night hours passed in undisturbed silence, but 
 just before the dawn lights had flooded up out of the 
 east, a very close observer might have seen twenty dark 
 objects bobbing and floating on the water, and working 
 steadily up stream until they clustered above and below 
 the river gate, where they anchored stationary against 
 the wall. 
 
 Presently a lean face looked out through the door, and, 
 seeing nothing, the owner crept out and down the steps; 
 in his hand was a dagger, from which something dropped 
 with little sudden splashes on to the stones. 
 
 After a while the lean man seemed to discern the 
 dark objects, for he chuckled to himself, and stooping 
 down until his lips almost touched the water, he emitted
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 279 
 
 a thin musical sound midway between a whistle and a 
 sung note. Instantly the dark objects within the 
 shadow of the wall, detached themselves and moved until 
 they gathered around the steps; then one by one twenty 
 men slipped swiftly out of the water, up the steps and 
 through the door. 
 
 In the darkness of the gateway, their comrades from 
 within the dun awaited them. Man by man Cuchulain 
 called over the twenty-six names before he led the little 
 band across the open space to the guard house, where 
 the main guard were sleeping. Posting his men where 
 they could best overawe the guard and at the same time 
 hold back those within the dun from breaking out, at all 
 events for a short space of time, he ran back to the 
 water gate and blew a high loud blast on his war horn. 
 Then as he listened, there came from down the river 
 the splashing of oars as the great galleys were got under 
 way, but from behind him came shouts, cries, and 
 the sound of running feet, followed by the clash of 
 arms. 
 
 When the galleys reached the steps, Cuchulain shouted 
 to the soldiers to follow him, and raced back across the 
 yard. As he came, a great man burst from the door 
 of the dun and hacked his way through the besiegers; 
 as his eyes fell on Cuchulain, he charged straight forward 
 with his sword and shield up. But Cuchulain was old 
 in war, moreover he bore an axe, and louting low beneath 
 the great man's sword, he swept upwards with his own 
 blade, killing his foe. 
 
 " Of a truth," shouted Luchar, " well begun is half 
 done, for that is Curoi thou hast slain, and no other." 
 
 At this Cuchulain laughed, and holding up his hands 
 called a truce. 
 
 " Send hither to me," he cried, " the commander of 
 the garrison "; and when the man came, " Friend! it 
 seems that the dun is in our power, for Lewey hath 
 marched north I hear, and Curoi is dead at my hands. 
 It were a shameful thing to waste the lives of brave men, 
 yet it is hard I know for thee to surrender, so thou 
 shalt march out of the dun with thine arms, if thou wilt
 
 280 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 pledge thy word to take no part against me nor to serve 
 in Lewey's fighting tail for a year and a day." 
 
 "It shall be as thou sayest," answered the com- 
 mander of the garrison; " but what of those lords who 
 were the King's friends? " 
 
 " They shall be disposed of as the Queen wills ! " 
 
 " Then may Dana have mercy upon them, for they 
 deserve none at her hands." 
 
 At these sayings a great outcry arose from the courtiers, 
 but Cuchulain silenced it instantly, saying : 
 
 " Go thou, and await me in the great hah 1 ! Luchar, 
 take sufficient men and guard them, but first send word 
 to Queen Blanid, asking if she will receive me." 
 
 It was a dishevelled and downcast band of men and 
 women who looked up with hang-dog faces as Blanid 
 the Queen, escorted by Cuchulain, came to judge them in 
 that very hall where only yesternight they had made 
 sport of her. 
 
 No word was spoken as she passed up the hall to the 
 high seat, and seated herself thereon; but many pah's of 
 eyes watched her anxiously. 
 
 Cold and very beautiful was the face of the young 
 Queen, as she sat and looked upon those who for so 
 many months past had been her tormentors. At last she 
 spoke : 
 
 " It seems that the hour at which the mistals are 
 cleared hath come, yet for myself I would be merciful 
 and set ye free, although every gross insult and indignity 
 have I suffered at thy hands. Yet if such as ye are 
 left to wander free upon the earth, it may well be that 
 some other poor queen or wife shall suffer at thy hands, 
 even as I have suffered. 
 
 " If I might find one worthy man or woman among 
 ye, if I could remember but one good deed performed, 
 that man or woman should go free; but I cannot. Of the 
 men, they have not even the saving grace of bravery in 
 war, for they feared even to march with Prince Lewey 
 to oppose this very Lord Cuchulain who has won his way 
 here to my aid. The women are beyond the pale of my
 
 281 
 
 mercy, for they have put off their womanhood, and are 
 profligate, wanton, through and through. Therefore it 
 is my will that the men should be executed, as they 
 deserve, and the women sold into slavery. 
 
 " This house of misery and shame shall be given to 
 the flames when we sail hence; for the land, Lewey may 
 take and rule it as is his desire, while I go hence to seek 
 happiness in seclusion." 
 
 This awful decree called forth weeping and curses 
 from the doomed wretches, but neither tears nor entreaties 
 availed to move the young Queen. As she had said, so 
 it was done, and that night the raiders put forth to sea 
 again; behind them, as they cleared the river's mouth, 
 the burning dun lit up the sky. 
 
 A morning of glorious sunlight dawned on Blanid's 
 first day of freedom, and as the galleys sailed up the 
 Irish Coast, she felt her troubles dropping from her like 
 worn-out clothing cast aside. ^Already she looked ahead 
 to long years of peaceful happiness. As she sat in the 
 forepart of the ship looking out over the dancing waves, 
 Cucnulain joined her. 
 
 " How can I ever thank thee enough, my dear lord, 
 for the help and the happiness thou hast given to me," 
 she said, " for naught now remains of the old dreadful 
 life, and not a one of those who plagued me so sorely, is 
 near to remind me of all the sorrows that are lost." 
 
 Yet she spoke over hastily, for, 'though they knew it 
 not, Fercartna the Jester, who had loved his master, 
 King Curoi, had stolen aboard the galley, ere it sailed; 
 even then he lay concealed among the bales of 
 merchandise. Now this jester, though said to be half- 
 witted, was very cunning. For two days he lay in hiding 
 watching for his opportunity. On the second day it 
 came. He saw the Queen alone, leaning over the side 
 of the ship. Like a snake he left his hiding place 
 and wormed his way along until he was almost within 
 hands' touch of her. She looked up, and seeing him, 
 she screamed aloud, but as she screamed he leapt upon 
 her. Laeg, who was standing near, rushed forward to 
 her aid, and Cuchulain from the body of the ship,
 
 282 . THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 snatched up a javelin and hurled it, missing Fercartna 
 by a hair's breadth. More he could not do, for he was 
 too far off. Laeg grabbed at the madman, but was 
 handed off. With a scream of demoniacal laughter, the 
 Jester wound his arms around Blanid the Queen, and 
 with her, hurled himself into the sea, and was seen no 
 more. 
 
 Thus ended the life of a sorely ill-used woman whom 
 Cuchulain had done his best to succour, so that it was 
 in sorrow that the expedition returned, to Dun Dalk. 
 
 Meanwhile Lewey and his men waited on the Central 
 Plains for the coming of Cuchulain. When he came 
 not, they returned to their home, only to find it in ruins, 
 the King dead, and their friends dead also or sold into 
 slavery. 
 
 But the matter was not to end thus, for Lewey laid 
 a complaint before Ere, King of Ireland, that Cuchulain 
 had slain his father and carried off the Queen in times 
 of peace, and thereafter, with Ere, Ket, and Anluan, he 
 made a great hosting to go up against Ulster, when 
 the Curse of Macha should once more hold the men 
 folk. 
 
 Far and wide they sought Cuchulain, and at last 
 found him on the Central Plain, but he was alone and so 
 escaped from them for that time. 
 
 As he went he came to Ath Ferdia on the Eiver Dee 
 at dawn, and there in the middle of the water stood an 
 awful hag, with white dishevelled hair all blood besprent, 
 w r ith taloned hands and sharp boned arms, and as she 
 stood mid-leg deep in the ford, she snatched one after 
 another spear-torn scarves and bloody silken vests from 
 a great pile on the bank, and plunged them into the 
 stream, which ran crystal clear to where she stood, and 
 thereafter ran red towards the sea. 
 
 Laeg pulled up the chariot, and strove to calm the 
 trembling steeds as Cuchulain called. 
 
 " Who art thou, hideous one, and what dost thou 
 here?" 
 
 " I am of the Tuath de Danaan, and me men name 
 the Washer at the Ford!" the hag replied; "my
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 888 
 
 dwelling is on fear-haunted Knockrea, these clothes are 
 thine and this thy head," she continued, as from the pile 
 upon the bank she picked up by the clotted, gory hair 
 a ghastly human head with death distorted features. 
 Then, waving the horrid trophy in her hand, she rose 
 in the air and vanished. 
 
 " Death is very near now Laeg," said the hero. " Drive 
 home to Dun Dalk that I may bid farewell to Emer. ' ' 
 
 Back at the dun, he took his wife in his arms and 
 said: 
 
 " Beloved 1 Lewey is out on my track with a great 
 host, and with him are Ere, Ket, and Anluan. This, I 
 fear, shall be my last farewell, for to-day have I seen 
 and spoken with the Washer at the Ford and she hath 
 shown me mine own head." 
 
 Sorely Emer wept, and earnestly she besought him 
 to take ship and sail away to safety. 
 
 " Nay, my wife," said he, " this may not be. Once 
 before a great host came when the land lay open; again 
 the Curse of Macha holds the men, and shall it be told 
 by the satirists in days to come, that Cuchulain fled 
 when he alone of all men was fit to lift a sword in 
 Ultonia's defence? " 
 
 " Ah, Cuchulain, the path of honour was ever the way 
 thou didst tread; nor at the last shall any stain rest on 
 thy fair fame. Yet I would it had been otherwise; few 
 peaceful years have we known and much sorrow hath 
 been ours. Still, if thou goest hence, well do I know 
 that not long shall I tarry behind thee, therefore lord, 
 await me beyond the Rainbow Bridge, that we two may 
 enter into our rest together." 
 
 " Speak not so, Emer! for I pray that many years of 
 peace and happiness lie before thee. Yet, now at the 
 last, I would that a part of the past might be undone, 
 and that I might leave thee with little children grouped 
 about thy knees to make the parting less bitter ; but what 
 is done is done, and for our deeds, good and bad alike, 
 we reap the reward. Come now 1 for Laeg hath harnessed 
 Black Sainglend and the Grev of Macha for the last great 
 foray."
 
 284 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Then they went out into the sunlight, and before he 
 mounted up into his chariot, she kissed him long and 
 lovingly. She would say no more words lest she should 
 make the parting more bitter for him at the last, but 
 bade him come back victorious as ever. 
 
 As Cuchulain drove away along the road from his dun, 
 he came upon three old women, poor and very wretched, 
 sitting by the w ay side, cooking a meal over a little fire 
 they had built of sticks. 
 
 " Stay and share our meal, Cuchulain! " one screamed 
 in a thin, cracked voice. 
 
 " I may not stay for meat with anyone this day." 
 
 " Had a great lady bidden thee to a feast thou hadst 
 lighted down from thy chariot fast enough," the woman 
 grumbled, " but my sisters and I be beneath thy notice, 
 yet it is not the custom of Cuchulain the Protector to 
 despise the lowly." 
 
 At this his natural kindliness of heart overcame him, 
 and taking a gobbet of meat from the woman he ate it, 
 whereat the crones screamed in wicked glee, saying : 
 
 " Thou hast broken thy name geise, Cuchulain, for 
 this is a hound we roast," and from that hour the hero's 
 strength seemed to depart from him. Nevertheless he 
 drove on until he came to Slieve Fuad, where he awaited 
 the host of Ere and Lewey on the banks of the 
 Loch, and there they found him at the going donna of the 
 sun. 
 
 When he saw them coming, Cuchulain prepared to 
 die a great death in the midst of his foes; but it was 
 not Lewey 's purpose that he should take his revenge 
 thus, for he wished first to mock the hero in his lone- 
 liness ; so he advanced with a handful of men, Ere, Ket, 
 and Anluan. 
 
 "It is geise for thee to refuse the first request of a 
 foe, Cuchulain," he said; " give thy spear to this satirist, 
 therefore, I beseech thee," and he pointed to a man 
 beside him. 
 
 "The request is granted," answered the hero, and as 
 he spoke he hurled the spear so that the man for whom 
 it was destined got his death of it, but instantly Lewey
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 285 
 
 snatched the weapon up and hurled it back. Swiftly the 
 spear flew, and passing under Cuchulaiu's armpit, buried 
 itself in the breast of the faithful Laeg. 
 
 " I have my death of that, master," cried the 
 charioteer, and straightway fell down dying upon the 
 cushions of the chariot. As he fell, Cuchulain snatched 
 the reins from his hands, and now his battle fury came 
 upon him for the last time. Straight into the heart of 
 the host he drove, the sickle blades on his wheels working 
 a fearful carnage. As he came the soldiers of Lewey fled 
 from before his face to right and left, and turning, hurled 
 their spears at him, until he bled from a dozen wounds. 
 Then he drove to a great pillar stone, and with his last 
 strength strapped himself to it, for he wished to die 
 fighting and in his standing. 
 
 Still they continued to fling their javelins at him, but 
 no man dared draw near to make an end. A spear that 
 King Ere flung entered the side of the Grey of Macha, 
 wounding him mortally, and then the horses broke free 
 of the chariot and galloped away. 
 
 Now it is told that at the last, the Grey of Macha 
 galloped back, the spear still hanging from his side, and 
 laid his head upon his master's breast, while a halo of 
 light shone about the hero's head, the thunder rolled and 
 the lightning flashed. And still no man dared draw 
 near. 
 
 At last Cuchulain's knees gave way, and he sank down, 
 so that only his girdle strapped around the pillar-stone 
 kept him from falling, and as he sank a black-hoodie 
 crow, such as he had seen in the tree the day he had 
 refused the love of the Morrigan, settled on his shoulder, 
 pecking spitefully at his eyes. 
 
 Now Cuchulain hung within the strap gazing around 
 him with death-dimmed eyes, and knew that the end was 
 near. While he gazed, Lewey drew nigh and mocked 
 him, but the host cried shame on such a dastard 
 deed. 
 
 Darkness enfolded the land as Cuchulain thought on 
 the years that had been, of the joyous days at Dun
 
 286 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 
 
 Skatha, of the great fight in the hall of the Lord of 
 Lusca, and finally of the heroic deeds of his little band 
 at the Battle of the Pass. With this thought his mood 
 changed, for the memory of Ferdia obsessed his soul, 
 and lo ! Ferdia stood beside him, a shape of light! 
 
 ' Welcome ! my shield brother!" Cuchulain cried, 
 but the shade answered never a word, whereat the hero 
 turned to his thoughts again. And now Connla his only 
 son stood on his left hand. Memories swarmed in his 
 brain like homing pigeons, and as he thought of those he 
 had loved and those he had slain a great company 
 each one materialised before his vision the dead, lit by 
 the corpse light; the living, by their own aura. 
 
 Lewey would have made an end; but Cuchulain spoke 
 in the voice as of one already dead : 
 
 " I have ever loved the Light, and as yet my Father 
 hath not come to bid farewell as I stand here upon the 
 marge of that great Unknown Sea called Death. Much 
 havoc have I wrought in thy host, yet would I ask that 
 the payment stand until the dawn." 
 
 "At dawn thou diest," answered Lewey, and 
 laughed. 
 
 All through the night Cuchulain brooded over the past, 
 and once he asked for water. 
 
 At last came the dawn, black pointing fingers across 
 the primrose sky. 
 
 The hero struggled to his feet as he drew in the cool 
 fragrance of the morning air and heard the twittering of 
 the little sleepy birds. Light was broadening fast as he 
 watched the radiance growing on the hills. Step by step 
 Lewey drew nearer, a naked blade in his hand. At last 
 the golden rim of the sun burst above the mountains. 
 Lewey stretched out his left hand and drew the death- 
 dank locks aside from Cuchulain 'B neck. 
 
 "Oh, Father, who dwellest on high, I praise and 
 adore thee, from the flaming portals of the dawn drive
 
 THE HOUND OF CULLAN 287 
 
 out t;hy chariot to receive my spirit," murmured the 
 hero. 
 
 The sword swept in the hush of the waiting host, and 
 one by one the sounds of the marching army died away, 
 and the land slept again around the glorious dead. 
 
 THE END.