"What did you come to this country now for?" said the king. "For the
pigs belonging to yourself," said Brian; "for to bring them away with us
is a part of the fine." "What way do you think to get them?" said the
king. "If we get them with good-will," said Brian, "we are ready to take
them thankfully; and if we do not, we are ready to do battle with
yourself and your people on the head of them, that you may fall by us,
and we may bring away the pigs in spite of you." "If that is to be the
end of it," said the king, "it would be a pity to bring my people into a
battle." "It would be a pity indeed," said Brian.
Then the king whispered and took advice with his people about the
matter, and it is what they agreed, to give up the pigs of their own
free will to the sons of Tuireann, since they could not see that any one
had been able to stand against them up to that time.
Then the sons of Tuireann gave their thanks to Easal, and there was
wonder on them to have got the pigs like that, when they had to fight
for every other part of the fine. And more than that, they had left a
share of their blood in every other place till then.
Easal brought them to his own house that night, and they were served
with food, and drink, and good beds, and all they could wish for. And
they rose up on the morrow and came into the king's presence, and the
pigs were given to them. "It is well you have done by us, giving us
these pigs," said Brian, "for we did not get any share of the fine
without fighting but these alone.
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