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 thunder of a mighty wave its warning will be, and the sound of it will awaken fear in the hearts of the enemy."

Culain and Luchtine carried the wood away, and after some days they returned to Manannan, bringing a very perfect shield with them. The centre shone like the moon, and the frame, with its white bronze points, was like a circle of stars surrounding it. Manannan then took it, and put a powerful enchantment on it, so that to the hero who carried the shield it should be a silver cloud of protection, but to his enemies it should be a red mist of war.

Whenever the hostile powers of the dark underworld were contemplating war on Manannan the shield would give him warning, and taking it in his hand he would go out alone against his enemies, conquering and destroying them without receiving any hurt himself.

Often, too, Manannan would lend his shield to great kings and heroes for whom he had an affection, and so long as they carried it they were neither hurt nor killed. The last