Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

2 28 Fictions of the Irish Celts.
at comdn (hurling), and wonderful were the strokes they
gave the ball, and fleeter than the wind their racing after
it. As Fion approached they ceased their sport, and all
coming forward hailed him as the protector of the
wronged, and the defender of the island against the
white strangers. " If you like to amuse yourself, Fion
son of Cumhail," said the chief of one party, " take my
coman, and pull down the vanity of our opponents." " I
would do your party no honour with this toy," said Fion,
taking the coman between his finger and thumb. " Let
that not disturb you," said the hurling chief So he
pulled up a neanthog (nettle), and muttering a charm
over it, and changing it thrice from one hand to the
other, it became a weapon fitting for the hand of the son
of Cumhail. It was worth a year of idle life to see the
blows struck by the chief, and hear the terrible heavy
sound as the coman met the ball, and drove it out of
sight. And there was Cosh Lua (fleet foot) to pursue the
flying globe and bring it back. " My hand to you," said
the eldest boy, " I never saw hurling till now." Fion's
party won the first game, and while they were resting for
the second a boat neared the land, and a man sprung
out and approached the party. " Hail, very noble and
courageous chief!"' said he, addressing Fion. "My
lady, the Queen of Sciatia Breaca, lays on you geasa,
binding on every Curadh, that you come forthwith to visit
her in her island. She is persecuted by the powerful
witch Chinas Haistig (flat ear), and she has been advised
to call on you for help." " Perhaps in vain," said Fion.
" I can find out from the gift of the Salmon of Wisdom
what is passing in any part of the island, but I am unprovided
with charms against witchcraft." " Let not
that be a hindrance," said
loge, Grune Ceanavaltha
the eldest boy of Bawr Scul-
(young bearded man) : " my
two brothers, Bechunach (thief) and Chinas Guillin* (Guil-
* Giiillin, the Celtic Vulcan. Several mountains have his name
attached to them. One of the devil's titles is "Giolla Guillin."