So, when he came to Connaught, he brought this matter before[FN#94] Ailill:  “What[FN#95] shall I do next in this matter?” said Fergus:  “it is hard for me to lay bare your land, without there being loss to thee of honour and renown therewith.”  “Yes, what shall we do next in the matter?” said Ailill; “we will consider this in counsel with Maev.”  “Let one of us go to Ailill Finn,” (said Maev), “that he may help us, and as this involves a meeting of some one with him, there is no reason why it should not be thyself who goest to him:  the gift will be all the better for that!”

[FN#94] i.e.  Ailill of Connaught.

[FN#95] This sentence to the end is taken from the Egerton version, which seems the clearer; the Book of Leinster gives:  “What shall I do next, that there be no loss of honour or renown to thee in the matter?”

Then Fergus set out thereon, in number thirty men; the two Ferguses (i.e.  Fergus mac Rog, and Fergus mac Oen-lama) and Dubhtach; till they were at the Ford of Fenna in the north of the land of Kerry.  They go to the burg, and welcome is brought to them.[FN#96] “What brings you here?” said Ailill Finn.  “We had the intention of staying with you on a visit, for we have a quarrel with Ailill the son of Magach.”

[FN#96] The Book of the Dun Cow (Leabhar na h-Uidhri) version begins at this point.

“If it were one of thy people who had the quarrel, he should stay with me until he had made his peace.  But thou shalt not stay,” said Ailill Finn, “it has been told me that my wife loves thee!” “We must have a gift of cows then,” said Fergus, “for a great need lies on us, even the sustenance of the troop who have gone with me into exile.”  “Thou shalt carry off no such present from me,” he said, “because thou art not remaining with me on a visit.  Men will say that it is to keep my wife that I gave thee what thou hast required.  I[FN#97] will give to your company one ox and some bacon to help them, if such is your pleasure.”  “I will eat not thy bread although offered (lit. however),” said Fergus, “because I can get no present of honour from thee!”

[FN#97] L.L. and Egerton make the end of this speech part of the story:  “There was given to them one ox with bacon, with as much as they wished of beer, as a feast for them.”

“Out of my house with you all, then!” said Ailill.

“That shall be,” said Fergus; “we shall not begin to lay siege to thee and they betake themselves outside.

“Let a man come at once to fight me beside a ford at the gate of this castle!” said Fergus.

“That[FN#98] will not for the sake of my honour be refused,” said Ailill; “I will not hand it (the strife) over to another:  I will go myself,” said he.  He went to a ford against him.  “Which of us,” said Fergus, “O Dubhtach, shall encounter this man?” “I will go,” said Dubhtach; “I am younger and keener than thou art!” Dubhtach went against Ailill.  Dubhtach thrust a spear through Ailill so that it went through his two thighs.  He (Ailill) hurled a javelin at Dubhtach, so that he drove the spear right through him, (so that it came out) on the other side.