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The Little Brawl at Allen
Chapter 1
"I
think," said Cairell Whiteskin, "that although judgment
was given against Fionn, it was Fionn had the rights of
it."
"He had
eleven hundred killed," said Cona'n amiably, "and you
may call that the rights of it if you like."
"All the
same.. " Cairell began argumentatively.
"And it
was you that commenced it," Cona'n continued.
"Ho!
Ho!" Cairell cried. "Why, you are as much to blame as I
am."
"No,"
said Cona'n, "for you hit me first."
"And if
we had not been separated-- "the other growled.
"Separated!" said Cona'n, with a grin that made his
beard poke all around his face.
"Yes,
separated. If they had not come between us I still
think-- "
"Don't
think out loud, dear heart, for you and I are at peace
by law."
"That is
true," said Cairell, "and a man must stick by a
judgment. Come with me, my dear, and let us see how the
youngsters are shaping in the school. One of them has
rather a way with him as a swordsman."
"No
youngster is any good with a sword," Conan replied.
"You are
right there," said Cairell. "It takes a good ripe man
for that weapon."
"Boys
are good enough with slings," Confro continued, "but
except for eating their fill and running away from a
fight, you can't count on boys."
The two
bulky men turned towards the school of the Fianna.
It
happened that Fionn Mac Uail had summoned the gentlemen
of the Fianna and their wives to a banquet. Everybody
came, for a banquet given by Fionn was not a thing to be
missed. There was Goll Mor Mac Morna and his people;
Fionn's son Oisi'n and his grandson Oscar. There was
Dermod of the Gay Face, Caelte Mac Ronan--but indeed
there were too many to be told of, for all the pillars
of war and battle-torches of the Gael were there.
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