Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER V: TALES OF THE ULTONIAN CYCLE 175chariots were broken under him as he tugged at the pole, but atlast he tore it out; and as it was now late the host encamped uponthe spot. These devices of Cuchulain were intended to delay theinvaders until the Ulster men had recovered from their debility.In the epic, as given in the Book of Leinster, and other ancientsources, a long interlude now takes place in which Fergusexplains to Maev who it is—viz., “my little pupil Setanta”—whois thus harrying the host, and his boyish deeds, some of whichhave been already told in this narrative, are recounted.The Charioteer of OrlamThe host proceeded on its way next day, and the next encounterwith Cuchulain shows the hero in a kindlier mood. He hearsa noise of timber being cut, and going into a wood he findsthere a charioteer belonging to a son of Ailell and Maev cuttingdown chariot-poles of holly, “For,” says he, “we have damagedour chariots sadly in chasing that famous deer, Cuchulain.”Cuchulain—who, it must be remembered, was at ordinary timesa slight and unimposing figure, though in battle he dilated insize and underwent a fearful distortion, symbolic of Berserkerfury—helps the driver in his work. “Shall I,” he asks, “cut thepoles or trim them for thee?” “Do thou the trimming,” says thedriver. Cuchulain takes the poles by the tops and draws themagainst the set of the branches through his toes, and then runs hisfingers down them the same way, and gives them over as smoothand polished as if they were planed by a carpenter. The driver [209]stares at him. “I doubt this work I set thee to is not thy properwork,” he says. “Who art thou then at all?” “I am that Cuchulainof whom thou spakest but now.” “Surely I am but a dead man,”says the driver. “Nay,” replies Cuchulain, “I slay not drivers normessengers nor men unarmed. But run, tell thy master Orlamthat Cuchulain is about to visit him.” The driver runs off, butCuchulain outstrips him, meets Orlam first, and strikes off hishead. For a moment the host of Maev see him as he shakes thisbloody trophy before them; then he disappears from sight—it is