[4]On the morrow Nathcrantail went forth from the camp[4] and he came to attack Cuchulain. [W.1942.] He did not deign to bring along arms but thrice nine spits of holly after being sharpened, burnt and hardened in fire.  And there before him on the pond was Cuchulain [5]a-fowling and his chariot hard by him,[5][b] and there was no shelter whatever. [6]And when Nathcrantail perceived Cuchulain[6] he [7]straightway[7] cast a dart at Cuchulain.  Cuchulain sprang [8]from the middle of the ground[8] till he came on the tip of the dart. [9]And he performed a feat on the point of the dart and it hindered him not from catching the birds.[9] And again Nathcrantail threw a second dart.  Nathcrantail threw a third dart and Cuchulain sprang on the point of the second [W.1951.] dart and so on till he was on the point of the last dart.  It was then, [1]when Nathcrantail threw the ninth dart,[1] that the flock of birds [2]which Cuchulain pursued[2] on the plain [3]flew away from Cuchulain.[3] Cuchulain chased them even as any bird [4]of the air.[4] [5]He hopped on the points of the darts like a bird from each dart to the next, pursuing the birds[5] that they might not escape him but that they might leave behind a portion of food for the night.  For this is what sustained and served Cuchulain, fish and fowl and game on the Cualnge Cow-spoil.  Something more remains to be told:  Nathcrantail deemed full surely that Cuchulain went from him in rout of defeat and flight.  And he went his way till he came to the door of the tent of Ailill and Medb and he lifted up his loud voice [6]of a warrior[6]:  “That famous Cuchulain that ye so talk of ran and fled in defeat [7]before me when he came to me[7] in the morning.”  “We knew,” spake Medb, “it would be even so when able warriors and goodly youths met him, that this beardless imp would not hold out; for when a mighty warrior, [8]Nathcrantail to wit,[8] came upon him, he withstood him not but before him he ran away!”

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 1253.

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 1255.

    [b] Here follow lines 1945-1946, edition of Windisch, which are
    unintelligible and have been omitted in the translation.

    [6-6] H. 2. 17.

    [7-7] H. 2. 17.

    [8-8] H. 2. 17.

    [9-9] LU. and YBL. 1256-1257.

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 1258.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1258.

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 1259-1260.

    [6-6] Stowe.

    [7-7] Stowe.

    [8-8] Stowe.

And Fergus heard that, and Fergus [9]and the Ulstermen[9] were sore angered that any one should boast that Cuchulain had fled.  And Fergus addressed himself to Fiachu, Feraba’s son, that he should go to rebuke Cuchulain.  “And tell [LL.fo.73a.] him it is an honour for him to oppose the hosts for as long or as short a space as he does deeds of valour upon them, but that it were fitter for him to hide himself than to fly before any one of their warriors, [10]forasmuch as the dishonour would be not greater for him than for the rest of Ulster."[10]