said, 'It would be a
glory for thee to oppose the hosts for as long or as short a space as thou
doest valiantly [1]with them;[1] but it would be fitter for thee to hide
thyself than to fly before any one of their warriors!'" "How now, who makes
that boast among ye?" Cuchulain asked. "Nathcrantail, of a surety," Fiachu
answered. "How may this be? Dost not know, thou and Fergus and the nobles
of Ulster, that I slay no charioteers nor heralds nor unarmed people? And
he bore no arms but a spit of wood. And I would not slay Nathcrantail until
he had arms. And do thou tell him, let him come here early in the morning,
[2]till he is between Ochaine and the sea, and however early he comes, he
will find me here[2] and I will not fly before him!"

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1273-1275.

[3]Fiachu went back to the camp[3] [4]and to the station of the men of
Erin, and he bound Nathcrantail to go to the ford of combat on the
morrow. They bided there that night,[4] and it seemed long to Nathcrantail
till day with its light came for him to attack Cuchulain. He set out early
on the morrow to attack Cuchulain. Cuchulain arose early [5]and came to his
place of meeting[5] and his wrath bided with him on that day. And [6]after
his night's vigil,[6] with an angry cast he threw his cloak around him, so
that it passed over the pillar-stone [7]near by, the size of himself,[7]
and snapped the pillar-stone off from the ground between himself and his
cloak. And he was aware of naught because of the measure of anger that had
come on and raged in him. Then, too, came Nathcrantail. [8]His arms were
brought with him on a wagon,[8] and he spake, "Where is [W.1987.]
this Cuchulain?" shouted Nathcrantail. "Why, over yonder [1]near the
pillar-stone before thee,"[1] answered Cormac Conlongas son of Conchobar.
"Not such was the shape wherein he appeared to me yesterday," said
Nathcrantail. "Repel yon warrior," quoth Cormac, "and it will be the same
for thee as if thou repellest Cuchulain!" [2]"Art thou Cuchulain?" "And
if I am?" answered Cuchulain. "If thou be truly he," said Nathcrantail, "I
would not bring a lambkin's head to the camp. I will not take thy head, the
head of a beardless boy." "It is not I at all," said Cuchulain; "go find
him around the hill!" Cuchulain hastens to Laeg. "Rub a false beard on me;
I cannot get the warrior to fight with me beardless." This was done for
him. He goes to meet Nathcrantail on the hill. "Methi