“Onwards they drove into sight of the ford where was Conall. [1]Now it fell to Conall Cernach to guard the province that day.  For each champion of Ulster spent his day on Sliab Fuait to protect him that came with a lay or to fight with a warrior, so that some one would be there to meet him, in order that none might come to Emain unperceived.[1] “Are those arms he yonder has taken?” asked Conall.  “Of a truth, are they,” Ibar made answer.  “May it be for victory and for triumph and first wounding,” said Conall; “but we think it too soon for thee to take arms, because thou art not yet capable of deeds.  Were it surety he needed, he that should come hither,” he continued, “so wouldst thou furnish a perfect warrant amongst the Ulstermen, and the nobles of the province would rise up to support thee in the contest.”  “What dost thou here, O Conall my master?” asked the lad.  “Watch and ward of the province, lad, I keep here,” Conall made answer.  “Do thou go home now, O master Conall,” said the lad, “and leave me the watch and guard of the province to keep here.”  “Say not so, little son,” replied Conall; [2]"’twould be enough, were it to protect one that came with a song; were it to fight with a man, however, that is still too soon for thee[2]; thou art not yet able to cope with a goodly warrior.”  “Then, will I keep on to the south,” [W.1172.] said the little boy, “to Fertas (’the Bank’) of Loch Echtrann for a while; [1]champions are wont to take stand there;[1] perchance I may redden my hands on friend or on foe this day.”  “I will go, little boy,” said Conall, “to save thee, that thou go not alone [2]into peril[2] on the border.”  “Not so,” said the lad.  “But I will go,” said Conall; “for the men of Ulster will blame me for leaving thee to go alone on the border.”

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 592-596.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 599-601.

    [1-1] LU.and YBL. 603.

    [2-2] Stowe.

“Conall’s horses were caught for him and his chariot was yoked and he set out to protect the little boy.  When Conall came up abreast of him, Cuchulain felt certain that, even though a chance came to him, Conall would not permit him to use it.  He picked up a hand-stone from the ground which was the full of his grasp.  He hurled it from him [3]from his sling[3] the length of a stone-shot at the yoke of Conall’s chariot, so that he broke the chariot-collar[a] in two and thereby Conall fell to the ground, so that the nape of his neck went out from his shoulder.  “What have we here, boy?” asked Conall; [4]"why threwest thou the stone?"[4] “It is I threw it to see if my cast be straight, or how I cast at all, or if I have the stuff of a warrior in me.”  “A bane on thy cast and a bane on thyself as well.  E’en though thou leavest thy head this time with thine enemies, I will go no further to protect thee.” “’Twas what I craved of thee,” answered he; “for it is geis amongst you men of Ulster to proceed, after a mishap has befallen your chariots. [5]Go back[5] [6]to Emain,[6] [7]O Conall, and leave me here to keep watch.”  “That pleaseth me well,” replied Conall.[7] Conall turned back northwards again to the Ford of Watching. [8]Thereafter Conall Cernach went not past that place.[8]