[10-10] Eg. 1782.

    [2-2] YBL. 758.

Fergus leaps over the oak-stump in his [3]own[3] chariot [4]and knocks off its head.[4] [5]According to another version,[5] they proceed till they reach [6]Ath Meislir.[6] Cuchulain destroys six of them there, namely, [7]Meislir et reliqua,[7] [8]the six Dungals of Irrus.[8]

    [3-3] Eg. 1782.

    [4-4] Eg. 1782.

    [5-5] YBL. 762.

    [6-6] Reading with YBL. ‘Ath Taiten,’ LU. 762.

    [7-7] YBL. 763.

    [8-8] LU. 763.

They go thence to Fornocht.  Medb had a whelp named Baiscne.  Cuchulain made a cast at him, so that he struck off his head.  Now, Druim (’Ridge’) is the name of that place ever after.[1]

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 733-766 (see page 80).

[9]According to another version, however, it is there that the youth who was in the chariot by the side of Medb and the pet bird were slain by the casts, but, according to this version, that happened after the slaying of Orlam.[9]

    [9] YBL. 766-769.

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[Page 82]

VIII

THE SLAYING OF ORLAM

[W.1393.] The four grand provinces of Erin set forth on the morrow eastwards over Cronn (’the Round’), which is a mountain.  Cuchulain had gone out before them, till he came upon the charioteer of Orlam son of Aililla and of Medb.  This was at Tamlacht Orlaim (’Orlam’s Gravestone’) [1]a little to the[1] north of Disert Lochaid (’Lochat’s Hermitage’).  The charioteer was engaged in cutting chariot-poles from a holly-tree in the wood. [2]But according to another version it is the hind pole of Cuchulain’s chariot that was broken and it was to cut a pole he had gone when Orlam’s charioteer came up.[2] [3]According to this version, it was the charioteer who was cutting the pole.[3]

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 772.

    [2-2] YBL. 773-775.

    [3-3] LU. 773-775.

[4]Not long was the battle-victorious Hound there when he heard a sound and an uproar.[4] “Behold, O Laeg,” cried Cuchulain; “[5]who of the host of the foe have come into this land to carry off a share of cattle and booty from the province wherein they came?[5] How bold are the ways of the Ulstermen, if it be they that cut down the woods in this fashion in the face of the men of Erin.  But, [6]check the horses and hold the chariot.[6] Tarry thou here a little, till I know who cuts down the woods in this manner.”  Then Cuchulain went on till he came up to [7]Orlam’s[7] charioteer, [W.1401.] [1]to stop him; he thought he was one of the men of Ulster.[1] “What dost thou here, gilla?” asked Cuchulain.  “Indeed, then,” answered the gilla, “I cut chariot-poles from this holm, because our chariots were broken yesterday in pursuit of that famous wildling, namely Cuchulain.