“Kill a sheep and cover the wound with the skin of the animal,” ordered Finn.
The men did his bidding. The skin of the freshly killed sheep was cut to fit and bound to his sore back. Then Finn gave him a drink of water from his cupped hands and restored his strength to him. The sheepskin grew fast and could never be removed, so Conan always had to wear it.
With all Conan’s cowardice, he really did come out victorious in one battle. But when you hear of this particular combat, you will understand why the Fenians, instead of honoring him for it, had less respect for him than ever.
During the progress of one battle, when a hostile army had landed on the shores of Erin, one champion stood out in front each morning and demanded single combat.
“If you are not afraid of me,” he would call, “why don’t you send a man to meet me?”
He was not a great hero and the Fenians refused to be bothered with him alone. Finally, when they grew tired of hearing the challenge, as a joke they sent Conan out to fight with him. A roar of laughter came from the Fenians as Conan went cautiously out to meet this man. The enemy gave a cry of rage at the insult, and the champion called out angrily:
“What do you mean by sending a clown to meet me? Is there not a man among you who dares to face me?”
Conan came forward slowly, afraid for his life. When he got close to the champion, the latter said sarcastically:
“The Fenians seem anxious that I be left unharmed, since they send me such a dangerous foe.”
“You are in more danger from the man behind you, than from the one in front of you,” said the cowardly Conan.