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XVIII

[1]THE SLAYING OF OENGUS SON OF OENLAM[1]

[W.2814.] Then it was that a very bold young warrior of the Ulstermen came
nigh the hosts; his bye-name was Oengus son of Oenlam Gabe ('the One-handed
Smith'). And he drove the hosts before him from Moda Loga, which at that
time was called Lugmud, to Ath da Fert ('the Ford of the Two Gravemounds')
in Sliab Fuait. [2]And he suffered them not to go by, but he showered them
with stones.[2] What scholars say is: If Oengus son of Oenlam Gabe had
fought them in single combat, [3]two-thirds of[3] the host would have
fallen before that by him in single battle [4]at Emain Macha.[4] Howbeit it
was by no means so that they acted, but they attacked him from ambush on
every side, till he fell at their hands [5]in unequal fight[5] at Ath da
Fert in Sliab Fuait.

[1-1] LU. fo. 82a, in the margin.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 2135-2136.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 2137.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 2139.

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XVIIIa

HERE NOW IS TOLD THE MISTHROW AT BELACH EOIN.

[W.2823.] Then came to them Fiacha Fialdana ('the Generous and Intrepid')
of the Ulstermen to speak with the son of his mother's sister, namely
with Mane Andoe ('the Unslow') of the Connachtmen. And thus he came, and
Dubthach Doel ('the Black Tongue') of Ulster with him. It was in this wise
that Mane Andoe came, and Doche son of Maga along with him. When now Doche
macMagach espied Fiacha Fialdana, he straightway hurled a spear at him, but
so that it went through his own friend, through Dubthach Doel of Ulster.
Then Fiacha Fialdana hurled a spear at Doche macMagach, so that it went
through his own friend, through Mane Andoe of Connacht. Thereupon said the
men of Erin: "A mishap in throwing," they said, "is what hath happened to
the men, for each of them to kill his friend and nearest relation." Hence
this is entitled Imroll Belaig Eoin ('the Misthrow at Bird-pass'). And 'the
Other Misthrow at Bird-pass' is another name for it.

[1]Or it may be this from which cometh Imroll Belaig Eoin: The hosts
proceed to Belach Eoin ('Bird-pass'). Their two troops wait there.
Diarmait macConchobar of the Ulstermen comes from the north. "Let a
horseman start from you," cries Diarmait, "that Mane may come with one man
to parley with me, and I will go with another man to parley with him." A
while thereafte