With a cry he started from his bed, like a
deer starting from his lair, and the people of the dun fell
suddenly silent when they beheld the velocity of his movements,
the splendour of his beauty, and the rapidity with which he armed
himself and stood forth for war.
"That champion is Foil, son of Nectan," said Laeg, "and there is
not one in the world with whom it is more difficult to contend
both in other respects and chiefly in this, that there is but one
weapon wherewith he may be slain. To all others he is
invulnerable. That weapon is an iron ball having magic properties,
and no man knows where to look for it, or where the man hath
hidden it away. And O my dear master, thou goest forth to certain
death going forth against that man."
"Have no fear on that account," said Cuculain, "for it has been
revealed to me where he hides it. It is a ges to him to wear it
always on his breast above his armour, but beneath his mantle and
tunic. There it is suspended by a strong chain of brass around his
neck. With that ball I shall slay him in the manner in which I
have been directed by those who visited me while I slept.
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