Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

160 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[191]golden ring, saying that if she should bear him a son he was to besent to seek his father in Erin so soon as he should have grown sothat his finger would fit the ring. And Cuchulain said, “Chargehim under geise that he shall not make himself known, that henever turn out of the way for any man, nor ever refuse a combat.And be his name called Connla.”In later years it is narrated that one day when King Conor ofUlster and the lords of Ulster were at a festal gathering on theStrand of the Footprints they saw coming towards them acrossthe sea a little boat of bronze, and in it a young lad with gildedoars in his hands. In the boat was a heap of stones, and ever andanon the lad would put one of these stones into a sling and castit at a flying sea-bird in such fashion that it would bring downthe bird alive to his feet. And many other wonderful feats of skillhe did. Then Conor said, as the boat drew nearer: “If the grownmen of that lad's country came here they would surely grind usto powder. Woe to the land into which that boy shall come!”When the boy came to land, a messenger, Condery, was sentto bid him be off. “I will not turn back for thee,” said the lad, andCondery repeated what he had said to the king. Then Conall ofthe Victories was sent against him, but the lad slung a great stoneat him, and the whizz and wind of it knocked him down, and thelad sprang upon him, and bound his arms with the strap of hisshield. And so man after man was served; some were bound, andsome were slain, but the lad defied the whole power of Ulster toturn him back, nor would he tell his name or lineage.“Send for Cuchulain,” then said King Conor. And they senta messenger to Dundalk, where Cuchulain was with Emer hiswife, and bade him come to do battle against a stranger boywhom Conall of the Victories could not overcome. Emer threwher arm round Cuchulain's neck. “Do not go,” she entreated.“Surely this is the son of Aifa. Slay not thine only son.” ButCuchulain said: “Forbear, woman! Were it Connla himself Iwould slay him for the honour of Ulster,” and he bade yoke his