The son of Amargin saw and heard all, for he was a
seer and a prophet no less than a warrior. But meantime his
battle-fury descended upon Setanta, his countenance was distraught
and his strength was multiplied tenfold, and the steam of his war-
madness rose above him. He staggered to no blow, but every boy
whom he struck fell, and he charged this way and that, and
wherever he went they opened before him. Then seeing how they
closed in behind him and on each side, he beat his way back to the
grassy rampart in which was the goal, and, facing his enemies,
bade them come against him again in their troops, many against
one. "You have offered me your protection," he said, "and I would
not endure it, but now I swear to you by all my gods that you and
I do not part this day till you have accepted my protection, or
till I lie without life on this lawn a trophy of your prowess and
a monument of the chivalry and hospitality of the Red Branch."
Then a boy stood out from the rest. He was freckled, and with red
hair, and his voice was loud and fierce.
"Thou shalt have a comrade in thy battle henceforward," he said,
"O brave stranger.
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