"
Finn and the Fianna rose up then, and they followed the Gilla Decair
over every bald hill, and through every valley and every river, on to
pleasant Slieve Luachra, into the borders of Corca Duibhne; and the big
man, that was up on the horse then along with Conan and the rest, faced
towards the deep sea. And Liagan Luath of Luachar took hold of the
horse's tail with his two hands, thinking to drag him back by the hair
of it; but the horse gave a great tug, and away with him over the sea,
and Liagan along with him, holding on to his tail.
It was a heavy care to Finn, those fourteen men of his people to be
brought away from him, and he himself under bonds to bring them back.
"What can we do now?" Oisin asked him. "What should we do, but to follow
our people to whatever place or island the big man has brought them,
and, whatever way we do it, to bring them back to Ireland again." "What
can we do, having neither a ship or any kind of boat?" said Oisin. "We
have this," said Finn, "the Tuatha de Danaan left as a gift to the
children of the Gael, that whoever might have to leave Ireland for a
while, had but to go to Beinn Edair, and however many would go along
with him, they would find a ship that would hold them all." Finn looked
towards the sea then, and he saw two strong armed men coming towards
him. The first one had on his back a shield ribbed and of many colours,
having shapes of strange, wonderful beasts engraved on it, and a heavy
sword at his side, and two thick spears on his shoulders; a cloak of
lasting crimson about him, with a gold brooch on the breast; a band of
white bronze on his head, gold under each of his feet; and the other was
dressed in the same way.
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