He assailed the men of Erin with his weapons till he had made an end of them.  And when weapons failed he assailed the men of Erin with cobbles and boulders and huge clumps [3]of earth[3] till he had used them up.  And when these weapons failed him he spent his rage on the man [4]that was nearest him[4] of the men of Erin, and bruised him grievously between his fore-arms [5]and his sides[5] and the palms of his hands, till he made a marrow-mass of him, of flesh and bones and sinews and skin.  Hence in memory thereof, these two masses of marrow still live on side by side, the marrow-mass that Cuchulain made of the bones of the Ulstermen’s cattle for the healing of Cethern son of Fintan,[a] and the marrow-mass that Iliach made of the bones of the men of Erin.  Wherefore this was one of the three innumerable things of the Tain, the number of them that fell at the hands of Iliach.  So that this is the ‘Clump-fight’ of Iliach.  It is for this reason it is called the ‘Clump-fight’ of Iliach, because with cobbles and boulders and massy clumps he made his fight.

    [3-3] Stowe.

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] Stowe.

    [a] See above, page 279.

[6]Thereafter[6] Doche son of Maga met him.  “Is not this Iliach?” asked Doche son of Maga.  “It is truly I,” Iliach gave answer; “and come to me now and cut off my head and let my sword remain with thee for thy friend, for Loegaire [7]Buadach (’the Victorious’)."[7]

    [6-6] Stowe.

    [7-7] Stowe.

Doche came near him and gave him a blow with the sword so that he severed his head, [8]and he took with him the head and the spoils vauntingly to where were Ailill and Medb.[8] Thus to this point, the ‘Clump-fight’ of Iliach.

    [8-8] Stowe.

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[Page 295]

XXIIIe

HERE NOW THE DEER-STALKING OF AMARGIN IN TALTIU

[W.4638.] This Amargin was the son of Cass who was son of Bacc who was son of Ross Ruad (’the Red’) who was son of Rudraige, [1]father of Conall Cernach (’the Triumphant’).[1] He came upon the warriors going over Taltiu westward, and he made them turn before him over Taltiu northwards.  And he put his left[a] elbow under him in Taltiu.  And his people furnished him with rocks and boulders and great clumps [2]of earth,[2] and he began to pelt the men of Erin till the end of three days and three nights, [3]and he did great slaughter among them[3] [4]so that no man could show his face to him in Taltiu.[4]

    [1-1] Stowe.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [a] As a challenge or sign of hostility.

    [3-3] Stowe.

    [4-4] YBL. 43b, 13-14.

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[Page 296]

XXIIIf

THE ADVENTURES OF CUROI SON OF DARE FOLLOW NOW