“I agree to that,” said Fionn.
“I require, nevertheless,” Goll continued, “that Fergus should swear before the Court, by his gods, that he will do justice between us.”
Fergus was accordingly sworn, and gave his evidence. He stated that Fionn’s brother Cairell struck Cona’n mac Morna, that Goll’s two sons came to help Cona’n, that Oscar went to help Cairell, and with that Fionn’s people and the clann-Morna rose at each other, and what had started as a brawl ended as a battle with eleven hundred of Fionn’s people and sixty-one of Goll’s people dead.
“I marvel,” said the king in a discontented voice, “that, considering the numbers against them, the losses of clann-Morna should be so small.”
Fionn blushed when he heard that.
Fergus replied:
“Goll mac Morna covered his people with his shield. All that slaughter was done by him.”
“The press was too great,” Fionn grumbled. “I could not get at him in time or—-”
“Or what?” said Goll with a great laugh.
Fionn shook his head sternly and said no more.