The troops hewed down then the wood before the chariots.  This is the name of that place, Slechta.  It is there that Partraige is.  (According to others, the conversation between Medb and Fedelm the prophetess took place there, as we told before; and then it is after the answer she gave to Medb that the wood was cut down; i.e.  ‘Look for me,’ said Medb, ‘how my hosting will be.’  ’It is difficult to me,’ said the maiden; ’I cannot cast my eye over them in the wood.’  ‘It is ploughland (?) there shall be,’ said Medb; ’we will cut down the wood.’  Then this was done, so that Slechta was the name of the place.)

They spent the night then in Cul Sibrille; a great snowstorm fell on them, to the girdles of the men and the wheels of the chariots.  The rising was early next morning.  And it was not the most peaceful of nights for them, with the snow; and they had not prepared food that night.  But it was not early when Cuchulainn came from his tryst; he waited to wash and bathe.

Then he came on the track of the host.  ’Would that we had not gone there,’ said Cuchulainn, ’nor betrayed the Ulstermen; we have let the host go to them unawares.  Make us an estimation of the host,’ said Cuchulainn to Loeg, ‘that we may know the number of the host.’

Loeg did this, and said to Cuchulainn:  ‘I am confused,’ said he, ’I cannot attain this.’

‘It would not be confusion that I see, if only I come,’ said

Cuchulainn.

‘Get into the chariot then,’ said Loeg.

Cuchulainn got into the chariot, and put a reckoning over the host for a long time.

‘Even you,’ said Loeg, ‘you do not find it easy.’

‘It is easier indeed to me than to you,’ said Cuchulainn; ’for I have three gifts, the gifts of eye, and of mind, and of reckoning.  I have put a reckoning [Marginal gloss:  ’This is one of the three severest and most difficult reckonings made in Ireland; i.e.  Cuchulainn’s reckoning of the men of Ireland on the Tain; and ug’s reckoning of the Fomorian hosts at the battle of Mag Tured; and Ingcel’s reckoning of the hosts at the Bruiden Da Derga.’] on this,’ said he; ‘there are eighteen cantreds,’ said he, ’for their number; only that the eighteenth cantred is distributed among all the host, so that their number is not clear; that is, the cantred of the Leinstermen.’

Then Cuchulainn went round the host till he was at Ath Gabla. [Note:  LU has Ath Grena.] He cuts a fork [Note:  i.e. fork of a tree.] there with one blow of his sword, and put it on the middle of the stream, so that a chariot could not pass it on this side or that.  Eirr and Indell, Foich and Fochlam (their two charioteers) came upon him thereat.  He strikes their four heads off, and throws them on to the four points of the fork.  Hence is Ath Gabla.

Then the horses of the four went to meet the host, and their cushions very red on them.  They supposed it was a battalion that was before them at the ford.  A troop went from them to look at the ford; they saw nothing there but the track of one chariot and the fork with the four heads, and a name in ogam written on the side.  All the host came then.