[a] ‘Girdles,’ LU. and YBL. 284; ‘shields,’ Eg. 1782.

    [b] ‘Wheels,’ LU. and YBL. 285 and Eg. 1782.

Certain it is that the men of Erin experienced not a night of encampment or of station that held more discomfort or hardship for them than that night [1]with the snow[1] at Cul Sibrille.  The four grand provinces of Erin moved out early on the morrow [2]with the rising of the bright-shining sun glistening on the snow[2] and marched on from that part into another.

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 287.

    [2-2] Reading with Stowe.

Now, as regards Cuchulain:  It was far from being early when he arose [3]from his tryst.[3] And then he ate a meal and took a repast, and [4]he remained until he had[4] washed himself and bathed on that day.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 288.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 289.

He called to his charioteer to lead out the horses and yoke the chariot.  The charioteer led out the horses and yoked the chariot, and Cuchulain mounted his chariot.  And they came on the track of the army.  They found the trail of the men of Erin leading past them from that part into another.  “Alas, O master Laeg,” cried Cuchulain, “by no good luck went we to our tryst with the woman last night. [5]Would that we had not gone thither nor betrayed the Ultonians.[5] This is the least that might be looked for from him that keeps guard on the marches, a cry, or a shout, or an alarm, or to call, ‘Who goes the road?’ This it fell not unto us to say.  The men of Erin have gone past us, [6]without warning, without complaint,[6] into the land of Ulster.”  “I foretold thee that, O Cuchulain,” said Laeg.  “Even though thou wentest to thy woman-tryst [7]last night,[7] such a disgrace would come upon thee.”  “Good now, O Laeg, go thou for us on the trail of the host and make an estimate of them, and discover [W.649.] for us in what number the men of Erin went by us.”

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 290.

    [6-6] Stowe.

    [7-7] Stowe.

Laeg came on the track of the host, and he went to the front of the trail and he came on its sides and he went to the back of it.  “Thou art confused in thy counting, O Laeg, my master,” quoth Cuchulain.  “Confused I must be,” Laeg replied. [1]"It is not confusedly that I should see, if I should go,” said Cuchulain.[1] “Come into the chariot then, and I will make a reckoning of them.”  The charioteer mounted the chariot and Cuchulain went on the trail of the hosts and [2]after a long while[2] he made a reckoning of them. [3]"Even thou, it is not easy for thee.[3] Thou art perplexed in thy counting, my little Cuchulain,” quoth Laeg.  “Not perplexed,” answered Cuchulain; [4]"it is easier for me than for thee.[4] [5]For I have three magical virtues:  Gift of sight, gift of understanding, and gift of reckoning.[5] For I know the number wherewith the hosts went past us, namely, eighteen cantreds.  Nay more:  the eighteenth cantred has been distributed