at a distance the young nobles were at their sports , and the shouts of the boys and the clash of the metal hurles resounded in the evening air . suddenly , the noise ceased , and fergus and the king looked up . they saw a strange boy rushing backwards and forwards through the crowd of young nobles , urging the ball in any direction that he pleased , as if in mockery , till none but the very best players attempted to stop him , while the rest stood about the ground in groups . fergus and the king looked at each other for a moment in silence . after this the boys came together into a group and held a council . then commenced what seemed to be an attempt to force him out of the ground , followed by a furious fight . the strange boy seemed to be a very demon of war ; with his little hurle grasped , like a war - mace , in both hands , he laid about him on every side , and the boys were tumbling fast . he sprang at tall youths , like a hound at a stag 's throat . he rushed through crowds of his enemies like a hawk through a flock of birds . the boys , seized with a panic , cried out that it was one of the tuatha from the fairy hills of the boyne , and fled right and left to gain the shelter of the trees . some of them , pursued by the stranger , ran round conchubar mac nessa and his knight . the boy , however , running straight , sprang over the chess table ; but conchubar seized him deftly by the wrist and brought him to a stand , but with dilated eyes and panting .
conchubar mac nessa and his knight .
who did the boys run around ?
who did the boys run around ?