Laeg rejoiced greatly at that feat, and with a loud voice
bade the men of the dun bring forth their next champion. This was
Tuatha the second son of Nectan, and the fiercest of the three, he
buffeted his esquires and gillas, while they armed him, so that it
was a sore task for them to clasp and strap and brace his armour
upon him that day, for their faces were bloody from his hands, and
the floor of the armoury was strewn with their teeth. That armour
was a marvel and astonishment to all who saw it, so many thick,
hard skins of wild oxen of the mountains had been stitched
together to furnish forth the champion's coat of mail. It was
strengthened, too, with countless bars and rings of brass sewed
fast to it all over, and it encompassed the whole of his mighty
frame, from his shoulders to his feet. The helmet and neckpiece
were one, wrought in like manner, only stronger. The helmet
covered his face. There was no opening there save breathing slits
and two round holes through which his eyes shone terribly. On his
feet were strong shoes bound with brass.
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