So he went driving, his ball before him. At
other times he would cast a javelin far out westward and pursue
its flight. Ever as he went there ever flew beside him a grey-
necked crow. "It is a good omen," said the boy, for he knew that
the bird was sacred to the Mor-Reega.
He was amazed at his own speed and the elasticity of his limbs.
Once when he rose after having gathered his thrown javelin, a man
stood beside him who had the port and countenance of some ancient
hero, and whose attire was strange. He was taller and nobler than
any living man. He bore a rod-sling in his right hand, and in his
left, in a leash of bronze, he led a hound. The hound was like
white fire. Setanta could hardly look in that man's face, but he
did. The man smiled and said--
"Whither away, my son?"
"To Emain Macha, to my uncle Concobar," said the boy.
"Dost thou know me, Setanta?" said the man.
"I think thou art Lu Lam-fada Mac Ethlend," [Footnote: Lu the
Long-Handed son of Ethlenn. This mysterious being, being one of
the deities of the pagan Irish, seems to have been the Sun-god.
Pages:
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56