the [12]'White[12] [W.2891.]
Battle' of Fergus [1]on the Tain thus far; and it is for this cause it is
called the 'White Battle,' because no 'blood on weapons'[a] resulted
therefrom.[1] [2]They continue their march past Cuchulain and pitch camp in
Crich Roiss.[2]

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] Eg. 93.

[a] See above, page 99.

[7-7] Stowe.

[8-8] Reading with Stowe; LL. has 'on the slope.'

[9-9] Stowe.

[10-10] Stowe.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 2154-2155.

[7-7] Stowe.

[8-8] Stowe.

[9-9] Stowe.

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 2157.

[11-11] Eg. 93.

[12-12] Eg. 93.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[a] A traditional tag; it occurs again, page 216.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 2158-2159.

* * * * *

[Page 209]

XIXa

HERE NOW COMETH THE HEAD-PLACE OF FERCHU

[W.2893.] Ferchu Longsech ('the Exile'), [1]a wonderful warrior from
Loch Ce, outlawed from his land by Ailill and Medb,[1] although of the
Connachtmen, was engaged in battle and plunder with Ailill and Medb. From
the day these came to the kingship, there never was a time that he fared to
their camp or took part in their expeditions or shared in their straits or
their needs or their hardships, but he was ever at their heels, pillaging
and plundering their borders and land. At that time he sojourned in the
eastern part of Mag Ai. Twelve[a] men was his muster. He learned that a
single man checked and stopped four of the five grand provinces of Erin
from Monday at Summer's end till the beginning of Spring, slaying a man on
the ford every one of those days and a hundred warriors every night. He
weighed his plan privily with his people. "What better plan could we
devise?" quoth he, "than to go and attack yonder man that checketh and
stoppeth four of the five grand provinces of Erin, and bring his head and
his arms with us to Ailill and Medb? However great the injuries and wrongs
we have done to Ailill and Medb, we shall obtain our peace therefor, if
only that man fall by our hand." [2]He made no doubt that if Cuchulain fell
through him, the eastern territory of Connacht would be his.[2] Now this
was the [W.2908.] resolve they took, and they proceeded to where Cuchulain
was [1]at Ath Aladh ('Speckled Ford') on the Plain of Murthemne.[1] And
when they came, [2]they es