[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] Stowe, LU. and YBL. 792.

When the charioteer came nigh to the camp he took the head from his back
and told his adventures to Ailill and Medb. "It is not the same, this
exploit and the catching of birds," quoth she. "And he told me" (said the
boy), "unless I brought it on my back to the camp, he would break my head
with a stone."[5] [6]Hence Leaca Orlaim ('Orlam's Flagstones') to the north
of Disert Lochaid is the name of the place where he fell. Tamlachta
('Gravestones') is another name for it, and it is for this reason it is so
called because of the little gravestones and the violent deaths which
Cuchulain worked on it."[6]

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 793-799.

[6-6] H. 2. 17.

* * * * *

[Page 85]

VIIIa

[1]THE SLAYING OF THE THREE MacARACH[1]

[W.1425.] Then came the three macArach on to the ford at Ard Ciannacht
to encounter Cuchulain: Lon ('Ousel'), Uala ('Pride'), and Diliu
('Deluge');--Meslir ('Lir's Fosterling'), and Meslaoc ('Hero's
Fosterling'), and Meslethain ('Lethan's Fosterling') were the names of
their charioteers. This is why they came to engage with Cuchulain, for the
deed he had done the day before they deemed past bearing, when the two sons
of Nera son of Nuatar, son of Tacan, were slain at Ath Gabla ('Fork-ford'),
and Orlam, Ailill's son and Medb's, was slain withal and his head displayed
to the men of Erin, so that [2]their desire was[2] to kill Cuchulain in the
same manner [3]in revenge for him,[3] [4]and that they should be the ones
to rid the host of that pest[4] and bring his head with them to set it
aloft. They went into the wood and cut off three [5]great[5] white-hazel
wood-strips (and put them) into the hands of their charioteers, so that the
six of them might engage in battle at one and the same time with Cuchulain.
Cuchulain turned on them and smote their six heads from them. Thus fell the
macArach at the hands of Cuchulain, [6]because they observed not fair fight
with him. At that same time Orlam's charioteer was between Ailill and Medb.
Cuchulain slung a stone at him, so that it broke his head and his brains
came out over his ears. Fertedil was his name. Hence it is not true that
Cuchulain slew no charioteers. Albeit he slew them not without fault.[6]

[1-1] H. 2. 17, and, similarly, LU. fo. 64a, in the margin. LU. reads
_MacGarach_.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 806.

[4-4] LU