Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 2

154 WEST HIGHLAND TALES.
unless tliey get (it) tliey will kill all there are iu Erin
and myself after tliem. Take one of you a head from
one of those who were slain, and when Lagh an Laidh
comes and asks my head, or myself a captive, give it to
him, and he will think it is my head."
The head was given to Lagh an Laidh. He went
where Conall was with it.
" What hast thou there 1 " said Conall.
" The head of Fearghus."
" That is not the head of Fearghus yet. I saAv him
a shorter (time) than thyself, but turn and bring hither
to me the head of Fearghus."
Lagh an Laidh returned.
" Let another go to meet him in the king's stead, and
say that it is his head he shall get, not himself a captive.
This one went to meet Lagh an Laidh. He seized
him and took the head out of his neck.
He reached Conall. " What hast thou there ? "
— " The head of Fearghus."
" That is not the head of Fearghus yet ; turn and
bring to me the head of Fearghus."
Lagh an Laidh returned.
" The one who is without is so watchful, and the
other is so bUud, that there is no man in Erin but they
will kill unless they get myself."
" Where art thou going, Lagh an Laidli ? " said
Fearghus.
"I am going to seek thy head, or thyself as a captive."
"It's my head thou shalt get, and not myself as
a captive ; but what kindness art thou giving thy
brother ?
" The kindness that thou gavest thyself to me, I
will give it to thee."
He took the head out of his neck, and he took it
with him. He came where Conall was.