He had on him over his clothes a clean
leathern apron which was not singed or scored. It was fastened at
his shoulders and half covered his enormous hairy chest, was girt
again at his waist and descended below his knees. He stood with
one knee crooked, leaning upon a long ash-handled sledge with a
head of glittering bronze. There he gave a friendly and grave
welcome to the King and to all the knights one by one. It was dusk
when Concobar entered the dun.
"Are all thy people arrived?" said the smith.
"They are," said Concobar.
Culain bade his people raise the drawbridge which spanned the deep
black moat surrounding the city, and after that, with his own
hands he unchained his one dog. The dog was of great size and
fierceness. It was supposed that there was no man in Ireland whom
he could not drag down. He had no other good quality than that he
was faithful to his master and guarded his property vigilantly at
night. He was quick of sight and hearing and only slept in the
daytime. Being let loose he sprang over the moat and three times
careered round the city, baying fearfully.
Pages:
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77