“The king himself is there,” said Naoise.
“Let us hunt him,” cried Ardan in savage glee.
“He will move about,” Naoise replied. “We would never know where he is, and we should only waste time. We have but to hold out until the morning, and we can do it with ease. Why!” he cried, “we have forgotten our days of travel; Fergus himself may be here to-morrow.”
“He will travel day and night, and by chariot where we came on foot,” said Iollann. “He may be here in the morning.”
Naoise nodded joyfully.
“He will have choked whatever is in it out of Borach’s throat long before this,” Iollann continued, “and he will be an angry man.”
“If he came, even alone,” said Naoise, “that rabble would fly.”
“They will fly before he comes,” Ardan boasted, “for it’s my turn to go out now, and I shall show them a trick or two.”
“It’s two by two now, babe,” said Ainnle, “so we are going out together.”
“That man,” Ardan mourned, “is trying to cheat me of my fame. Fight for me, Deirdreen! Back me up, Naoise!”