“I claim this sortie,” said Iollann, as the ram recommenced on the door.
“It is my turn,” said Ainnle, “but we will go together, friend.”
“I wish to go alone, and bring honour back to the name of Fergus. I am a better fighter than you think,” he insisted.
“You are a good fighter, in truth,” said Naoise, “but a solitary venture is now dangerous. They are more accustomed to the light and to our methods, for there is nothing to vary in them. We must emerge by a door, and they are watching every door like hawks. But before you go, Iollann, there is one work we must do for safety’s sake. Listen carefully, my dear ones.”
CHAPTER XVI
“This is endless,” Conachúr gritted. “Has that Buinne come out yet?”
“The men will shout when he appears.”
“Bring him here and we will get their dispositions from him.”
“There is nothing to get, majesty. Their plan is the simplest. They have six doors: they choose one to come out by and one to get in by. That is the whole plan.”
“Post men in such a way that when one does come out he will not be able to get in again through that door or any door. Send for reinforcements and put fifty men against each door.... Those ramsmen have women’s shoulders,” he growled. “They would beat a mud wall down in a month.”