son of Ferfebe [3]after them out of the camp,[3] and he saw what they did and a qualm of [4]love and[4] the bond of kindred came over him, and [5]when he saw all their hands raised against Cuchulain, he leaped from his chariot and[5] drew his sword from the sheath of the Badb and dealt them a blow, so that he cut off their nine and twenty right fists from them at one stroke, and they all fell backwards from the intensity of the exertion and hold which they had.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [1-1] Stowe.

    [2-2] YBL. 2186.

    [3-3] YBL. 2187.

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] YBL. 2187-2188.

Cuchulain raised his head and drew breath and gave a sigh of weariness and perceived who it was that had come to his aid.  “A ready relief, O foster-brother, [6]what thou hast done,"[6] said Cuchulain.  “Although for thee a ready relief,” said Fiachu, “yet is it not so for us.  Even though we are the best division of three thousand of the Clann Rudraige in the camp and station of the men of Erin, [7]nevertheless this small thing is a breach of covenant in us men of Ulster.  If one of Calatin’s children reaches the camp,[7] we shall all be brought under the mouth of spear and of sword, however feeble thou mayst deem the blow I struck, if this treason be found in us.”  “I give my word,” quoth Cuchulain; “so soon as I raise my head and draw breath, [8]not a man of them shall reach the camp alive,[8] and unless thou thyself tellest the tale not one of these ever will tell it!”

    [6-6] YBL. 2190.

    [7-7] YBL. 2190-2191.

    [8-8] YBL. 2193.

With that, Cuchulain turned on them, and he fell to smiting and hewing them, so that he sent them [LL.fo.81a.] from him in small disjointed pieces and divided quarters eastwards and westwards along the ford.  A single man got away from him, trusting to his speed while Cuchulain was busied [W.2981.] beheading the rest; it was Glass macDelga.  And Cuchulain raced after him like a blast of wind, and Glass ran on round the tent of Ailill and Medb, and all he could pant out was, “Fiach!  Fiach!"[a] when Cuchulain fetched him a stroke that cut off his head.

    [a] There is a play on words.  Glass attempts to pronounce the name
    ‘Fiachu,’ but is only able to utter the first syllable of the word
    which alone means ‘debt.’

“’Tis quick work was made of that man,” quoth Medb.  “What debt was that he spoke of, O Fergus?” “I know not,” Fergus answered, “unless it be some one in the camp and quarters that owed him a debt.  It is that which troubled his mind.  But be that as it may,” continued Fergus, “it is a debt of blood and flesh for him.  And upon my word,” Fergus added, “now are his debts paid to him for good and all!”