stones collided in
the clouds and in the air high above them, and every rock of them was
shivered [W.4662.] into an hundred stones. "By the truth of thy valour, O
Curoi," cried Medb, "desist from thy throwing, for no real succour nor help
comes to us therefrom, but ill is the succour [1]and help[1] that thence
come to us," "I pledge my word," cried Curoi, "I will not cease till the
very day of doom and of life, till first Amargin cease!" "I will cease,"
said Amargin; "and do thou engage that thou wilt no more come to succour or
give aid to the men of Erin." Curoi consented to that and went his way to
return to his land and people.

[1-1] Stowe.

About this time [2]the hosts[2] went past Taltiu westwards. "It is not
this was enjoined upon me," quoth Amargin: "never again to cast at the
hosts [3]but rather that I should part from them."[3] And he went to the
west of them and he turned them before him north-eastwards past Taltiu. And
he began to pelt them for a long while and time [4]so that he slaughtered
more of them than can be numbered.[4] [5]This is one of the three
incalculable things on the Tain, the number of those he slew. And his son
Conall Cernach ('the Victorious') remained with him providing him with
stones and spears.[5]

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] YBL. fo. 43b, 34-36.

Then it was also that the men of Erin said it would be no disgrace for
Amargin to leave the camp and quarters, and that the hosts would retire a
day's march back to the north again, there to stop and stay, and for him to
quit his feats of arms upon the hosts until such time as he would meet them
on the day of the great battle when the four grand provinces of Erin would
encounter at Garech and Ilgarech in the battle of the Raid for the Kine of
Cualnge. Amargin accepted that offer, and the hosts proceeded a day's march
back to the northwards again. Wherefore the 'Deer-stalking' of Amargin in
Taltiu [6]is the name of this tale.[6]

[6-6] Stowe.

* * * * *

[Page 298]

XXIV

THE REPEATED WARNING OF SUALTAIM

[1]Now while the deeds we have told here were being done,[1] [W.4685.]
Sualtaim ('Goodly fosterer') son of Becaltach ('of Small belongings') son
of Moraltach ('of Great belongings'), the same the father of Cuchulain
macSualtaim, [2]of Sualtaim's Rath in the plain of Murthemne,[2] was told
of the distress and [3]sore wounding[3] of his son cont