camp in advance
of all others--[4]ten cup-bearers and ten men-of-arms they were[4]--so that
they fell by his hand.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1348.

Then it was that Buide ('the Yellow') son of Ban Blai ('the White') from
[5]Sliab Culinn ('Hollymount'),[5] the country of Ailill and Medb, and
belonging to the special followers of [6]Ailill and[6] Medb, met Cuchulain.
Four and twenty[a] warriors [7]was their strength.[7] A [8]blue[8] mantle
enwrapping each man, the Brown Bull of Cualnge plunging and careering
before them after he had been brought from Glenn na Samaisce ('Heifers'
Glen') to Sliab Culinn, and fifty of his heifers with him. [9]Cuchulain
advances to meet them.[9] "Whence bring ye the drove, [10]ye men?"[10]
Cuchulain asks. "From yonder mountain," Buide answers. [11]"Where are its
herdsmen?" Cuchulain asks. "One is here where we found him," the warrior
answers. Cuchulain made three leaps after them, seeking to speak [W.2031.]
with them, as far as the ford. Then it was he spoke to the leader[11],
"What is thine own name?" said Cuchulain. "One that neither loves thee nor
fears thee," Buide made answer; "Buide son of Ban Blai am I, from the
country of Ailill and Medb." [1]"Wella-day, O Buide," cried Cuchulain;
"haste to the ford below that we exchange a couple of throws with each
other." They came to the ford and exchanged a couple of throws there.[1]
"Lo, here for thee this short spear," said Cuchulain, and he casts the
spear at him. It struck the shield over his belly, so that it shattered
three ribs in his farther side after piercing his heart in his bosom. And
Buide son of Ban Blai fell [2]on the ford.[2] So that thence is Ath Buidi
('Athboy') in Crich Roiss ('the land of Ross').

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1318.

[6-6] Stowe.

[a] 'Sixty' is the number in LU. and YBL.; 'eight' in Eg. 93.

[7-7] Stowe and LU. and YBL. 1319.

[8-8] Eg. 93.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1320.

[10-10] Eg. 93.

[11-11] LU. and YBL. 1322-1325.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] LU. and YBL 1328.

For as long or as short a space as [3]these bold champions and
battle-warriors[3] were engaged in this work of exchanging their two short
spears--for it was not in a moment they had accomplished it--the Brown Bull
of Cualnge was carried away in quick course and career [4]by the eight
great men[4] to the camp [5]of the men of Erin[5] as swiftly as any beeve
can be brought to a camp. [6]They