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

176 WEST HIGHLAND TALES.
" Wailing be on thee," said Conan. " Cast thy
spear and hit thy foe."
" K I cast my spear, I know not but I may kill my
own man."
" If it Avere a yeUow-haired woman, well wouldst
thou aim at her."
" Wailing be on thee now ; urge me no longer."
He shook the spear, and struck under the shield
(chromastaich).
" Wlio would come on me from behind in the
evening, that would not come on me fi'om the front in
the morning Ì" said Maghach.
" 'Tis I would come on thee," said Diarmid, " early
and late, and at noon."
" What good is that to thee," said Maghach, " and
that I will take the head off Fiachaire before thou
comest."
" If thou takest the head off him," said Diarmid,
" I wiU take off thy head when I reach thee."
Diarmid reached Lochlainn. Maghach took the
head off Fiachaire. Diarmid took the head off the
Maghach. Diarmid reached Fionn.
" Who 's that without Ì " said Fionn.
" It is I, Diarmid,
With whom was the hideous fight
That was on the battle place
To-day."
" It was with so many of the Greeks, and with
the Maghach, son of the king of Locldann, and with
Fiachaire, thy son ; Fiachaire killed aU the Greeks,
Maghach killed Fiachaire, and then I killed Maghach."
" Though Maghach killed Fiachaire, why didst thou
kill Maghach, and not let him have his life Ì but mind
the place of combat, and all that are in the burghs of
the Greeks coming out together."