Then Caoilte and Cascorach went out from the hill, and the people of it made a great lamentation after them.

CHAPTER VIII.  THE CAVE OF CRUACHAN

CAOLITE was one time at Cruachan of Connacht, and Cascorach was with him, and there he saw sitting on a heap of stones a man with very rough grey hair, having a dark brown cloak fastened with a pin of bronze, and a long stick of white hazel in his hand; and there was a herd of cattle before him in a fenced field.

Caoilte asked news of him.  “I am steward to the King of Ireland,” said the old man, “and it is from him I hold this land.  And we have great troubles on us in this district,” he said.  “What troubles are those?” said Caoilte.  “I have many herds of cattle,” he said, “and every year at Samhain time, a woman comes out of the hill of the Sidhe of Cruachan and brings away nine of the best out of every herd.  And as to my name, I am Bairnech, son of Carbh of Collamair of Bregia.”

“Who was the best man that ever came out of Collamair?” said Caoilte.  “I know, and the men of Ireland and of Alban know,” said he, “it was Caoilte, son of Ronan.  And do you know where is that man now?” he said.  “I myself am that man and your own kinsman,” said Caoilte.

When Bairnech heard that, he gave him a great welcome, and Caoilte gave him three kisses.  “It seems to me that to-night is Samhain night,” said Caoilte.  “If that is so, it is to-night the woman will come to rob us,” said Bernech.  “Let me go to-night to the door of the hill of the Sidhe,” said Cascorach.  “You may do that, and bring your arms with you,” said Caoilte.

So Cascorach went then, and it was not long till he saw the girl going past him out of the hill of Cruachan, having a beautiful cloak of one colour about her; a gown of yellow silk tied up with a knot between her thighs, two spears in her hands, and she not in dread of anything before her or after her.

Then Cascorach blew a blast against her, and put his finger into the thong of his spear, and made a cast at the girl that went through her, and that is the way she was made an end of by Cascorach of the Music.

And then Bernech said to Caoilte:  “Caoilte,” he said, “do you know the other oppression that is on me in this place?” “What oppression is that?” said Caoilte.  “Three she-wolves that come out of the Cave of Cruachan every year and destroy our sheep and our wethers, and we can do nothing against them, and they go back into the cave again.  And it will be a good friend that will rid us of them,” he said.  “Well, Cascorach,” said Caoilte, “do you know what are the three wolves that are robbing this man?” “I know well,” said Cascorach, “they are the three daughters of Airetach, of the last of the people of oppression of the Cave of Cruachan, and it is easier for them to do their robbery as wolves than as women.”  “And will they come near to any one?” said Caoilte.  “They will only come near to one sort,” said Cascorach; “if they see the world’s men having harps for music, they will come near to them.”  “And how would it be for me,” he said, “to go to-morrow to the cairn beyond, and to bring my harp with me?”