Page:Celtic Stories by Edward Thomas.djvu/17

 ready to answer the challenge of any foreign champion wishing to cross. Now Conall the Victorious was at the ford and Cohoolin asked him to give up his place for the day, but he would not because Cohoolin was too young. Furthermore, when he said that he would go to Loch Echtra to find an opponent Conall offered to join him as a protector, and persisted in coming, though against Cohoolin's will. Cohoolin started first, but the other's chariot soon drew up with him. Then Cohoolin picked up a stone that was just a fistful, and hurled it with all his might at Conall's chariot yoke. Conall was thrown out, and angrily asked him:

'What is that for?'

'Oh, I was testing my aim.'

'That is it, is it? Well, bad luck to thee and thy aim, and I will not move another step to help thee whatever happens.'

'That is just as I wish.'

When they reached Loch Echtra, Jubar said:

'Turn back now, O Cohoolin, for the carving has begun in Conachoor's hall, and it will soon be too late for me to get a mouthful even by the usual scramble with the jesters and messengers of the king.'

Cohoolin answered:

'Oh, then drive on, Jubar.'

But when they came in sight of a mountain he asked its name, and what was the meaning of the white cairn upon its crest. The mountain was pleasant to his eyes that afternoon, and he bade Jubar drive that way and kept him to it in spite of his sulkiness. When they reached the cairn Cohoolin mounted it, and looking about him pointed to a peak here and a long ridge there, and here a fort and there a plain, and he asked their names and Jubar told him. Cohoolin thanked him, but suddenly