Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [62]
‘They went on, then, and unyoked the horses at Cómbor Manae and Abae to the south and above the fort. Cú Chulaind took the spancel that was round the pillar and threw it into the river and let the water carry it, for such an action was a breach of geiss to the sons of Nechta Scéne. The sons perceived what he had done and started out to meet him, but Cú Chulaind went to sleep against the pillar, first saying to Ibor “Do not wake me just for a few but only for a large crowd.” Ibor was very frightened; he yoked the chariot and tugged at its skins and coverings, which Cú Chulaind was sleeping on, but he dared not wake the boy since Cú Chulaind had said he was to wake him only for a great crowd.
‘The sons of Nechta Scéne arrived, then, and one of them asked “What is this?” “A little boy making an expedition in his chariot,” replied Ibor. “Neither prosperous nor auspicious this first taking of arms,” said the warrior. “Let him leave this land, and let his horses not graze here any more.” “I have the reins in my hand,” said Ibor. “You have no reason to incur the enmity of the Ulaid – besides, the boy is asleep.” “Indeed, he is not a boy at all,” said Cú Chulaind, “but a lad who has come in search of combat.” “My pleasure,” said Foill. “Let it be your pleasure, then, in the ford yonder,” said Cú Chulaind.
‘ “You must take note of the man who comes to meet you,” Ibor told Cú Chulaind. “Foill is his name, and if you do not reach him with the first thrust, you will not reach him at all.” Cú Chulaind answered “I swear by the god my people swear by, he will not play that trick upon the Ulaid after my father Conchubur’s broad-pointed spear has reached him. An enemy hand mine.” Cú Chulaind cast his spear at Foill and broke his back and took his head and his weapons.
‘ “Take heed of the next man, now,” said Ibor. “Fannall his name, and he treads upon the water as lightly as would a swan or a swallow.” “I swear by the god my people swear by, he will not play that trick upon the Ulaid again. Indeed, you have seen how I tread the pool at Emuin.” They met at the ford; Cú Chulaind slew Fannall and took his head and his weapons.
‘ “Take heed now of the last man,” said Ibor. “Túachell his name, and no mistake, for arms will not fell him.” “Here, then, the del chliss to confound him and make a sieve of him.”3 Cú Chulaind cast his spear at Túachell, and the latter’s limbs collapsed; he went and struck Túachell’s head off and gave the head and the spoils to Ibor. They heard the wailing of the sons’ mother, Nechta Scéne, behind them, but Cú Chulaind took the spoils and the three heads with him into the chariot, saying “I will not abandon my triumph until I reach Emuin Machae.”
‘They set off with their victory, and Cú Chulaind said to Ibor “You promised me a good drive, and we need that now because of the pursuit behind us.” They drove on to Slíab Fúait, and, with Ibor whipping, they went so fast that the horses overtook the wind and birds in flight, so fast that Cú Chulaind was able to catch a cast from his sling before it could strike the ground. When they reached Slíab Fúait, they found a herd of deer before them. “What beasts are these that are so nimble?” asked Cú Chulaind. “Deer,” replied the charioteer. “Would the Ulaid think it better to bring them back dead or alive?” asked Cú Chulaind. “Alive, for not everyone could do that, but all can bring them back dead. But you are not capable of bringing any back alive,” said the charioteer. “Indeed, I am,” replied Cú Chulaind. “Whip the horses and drive them into the bog.” Ibor did that; the horses stuck fast in the bog, and Cú Chulaind leapt out and seized the nearest, finest deer. He lashed the horses out of the bog, then, and tamed the deer immediately