Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER VI: TALES OF THE OSSIANIC CYCLE 223they left the most part of his raiment and his skin sticking to thechair. Then, not knowing what else to do with him in his soreplight, they clapped upon his back the nearest thing they couldfind, which was the skin of a black sheep that they took from apeasant's flock hard by, and it grew there, and Conan wore it tillhis death.Though Conan was a coward and rarely adventured himselfin battle with the Fianna, it is told that once a good man fell byhis hand. This was on the day of the great battle with the piratehorde on the Hill of Slaughter in Kerry. 180 For Liagan, one of theinvaders, stood out before the hosts and challenged the bravestof the Fians to single combat, and the Fians in mockery thrustConan forth to the fight. When he appeared Liagan laughed, forhe had more strength than wit, and he said: “Silly is thy visit,thou bald old man.” And as Conan still approached Liagan liftedhis hand fiercely, and Conan said: “Truly thou art in more perilfrom the man behind than from the man in front.” Liagan lookedround; and in that instant Conan swept off his head, and thenthrew his sword and ran for shelter to the ranks of the laughingFians. But Finn was very wroth because he had won the victoryby a trick. [261]Dermot O'DynaAnd one of the chiefest of the friends of Finn was Dermotof the Love Spot. He was so fair and noble to look on that nowoman could refuse him love, and it was said that he never knewweariness, but his step was as light at the end of the longest dayof battle or the chase as it was at the beginning. Between himand Finn there was great love, until the day when Finn, then anold man, was to wed Grania, daughter of Cormac the High King;but Grania bound Dermot by the sacred ordinances of the Fianchivalry to fly with her on her wedding night, which thing, sorelyagainst his will, he did, and thereby got his death. But Grania180 The hill still bears the name, Knockanar.