The sun., 1893-01-22
HERO TALES OF IRELAND
As Good as the Arabian
Nights.
Collected IN the Original lflsh from The Lips
Of Irish Story TeIIers.
osp,rtsM. 1898, ~ J~.wian o~t>

hundred years old. accordDR to his own state
ment, as we'll as that OF old men Of seventy
and eighty In the neiGhborhood who have
known him from their boyhood. Sheehy is
living ut present with his grandson. who Is
we'll advanced In years and has small farm.
The old man minds" cows for his grandson.
lie plants potatoes also and docs other work
about the little farm. and is very hale and
well preserved. He speaks only Gaelic. and
speaks 1t with remarkable precision and
idiomatic force. Indeed. his language Is we'll
worth hearing for any ono who appreciates
the strong speech OF primitive folk uniniu-
enced by civilization.
This tale was learned By the old man eishtv
years ago. He was of age then. he says. When
he had told me tho story Sheehy walked
home. distance OF three miles. He did this
In preference to riding in q farm cart.
This tale. among other points OF interest
gives reason for that invasion Of Erin BY tho
High King Of the World. and the subsequent
campaign. known In Gaelic story as the battle
OF Ventry or Ventry Harbor. which lasted for
day and a year: a partial summary Of this
campaign was given in the first OF tho present
series OF Hero Tales" In The Sun Of July 81.
1892 10
Fin Mao Cool, tho Hard ella and tho High
King.
Ono day when the Fenians were living at
Fintra Fin Mao Cool called them together.
held a council. complained OF remissnsss. and
warned the men to be cautious. to keep bet
ter watch on the hsrbors and to take good
care Of their arms. They promised to do bet
ter in future. and asked Fin to forgive them
for that time. Fin forgave them. and sent
men to keep watch on Cruach Varhin.
When on tho mountain whllo the ohisf
sentry saw in the distance n man leading a
horse toward Fintra. He thought to run down
with word to Fin. but did not: he waited to sec
what kind OF person was coming. The man
leading the horse was far from being tidy; his
shoes wore united and the strings hanging
down: on his shoulders was mantle Tapping
around in the wind. Tho horse had q broad
surly face. his neck was thick at tho throat
and thin toward the hody: tho beast WAS
scrawny. long-legged. lean. thin named. and
ugly to look at. Tho only bride on the horse
was long. heavy chain. the whip in tho hand
OF the man was q strong iron staff: each blow
that tho man gave his steed WAS heard
through the glens and the mountains and
knocked echoes out OF every cliff In that
region. Each pull that the man gave the
bride was that strong that you would think
he'd tear the head of tho ugly beasts body.
Every clump OF earth that the horse rooted
up with his feet In striving to hold back was
three times the size Of q sod Of turf ready for
burning.
1t is time for mo now" said the watchman
at last. to hurry from this and tell Fin" and
with that he rushed down from Cruach varhin.
Fin saw him coming and was ready for his
story: and not too soon was 1t told. for Just
then the horseman came up to the King Of tho
Fenians at Fintra.
who are you" inquired Fin.
do not know who my father WAS" said
the stranger. lam OF one place as we'll as
another. Men call me the Hard Gilla. and it
is good name. for no matter how we'll people
treat me forget all they do. l have heard.
though. that you give most wages and best
treatment Of any man."
Il will give you good wages" said Fin. "and
fair treatment. but how much do you want OF
me?"
II want whatever I ask"
Il will give you that and moro II I PROMISE"
said Fin.
Il am your man." said the Gills. Now that
we have agreed l may let my horse out to
craze. suppose"
You may" answered Fin.
The Gilla united the chain bride from his
horse and struck him with the chain. The beast
went to the other horses: but if he did he fell
to eating name legs. ears. and tail OF each one
OF them. and ate all till he came to q steed
grazing apart on the green belonging to Conan
MaoL Conan ran caught the ugly old horse
by the skull. and pulled him up to his owner
Mind your wicked old cripplel" cried CO.
nan in anger
If any man does not like how my horse
feeds he may herd the good steed himself"
When Conan heard this insolence he went to
the adviser for counsel The adviser told him
to 60 on the back of the horse and to ride till
he broke him. Conan mounted the horse. but
not stir could he get from the stubborn beast.
He is used to heavy loads" said the ad-
wiser. Let other mon mount him with YOU"
The Fenians were mounting tho horse till
twenty eight men OF them went up with Conan.
The twenty nine began then to wallop the
horse. but could not raise stir out of him.
The old horse only cooked one ear. When the
Gilla saw the twenty y-nine on his horse he
called out:
1T seems that We do not agree. and the
sooner go from this place the better
He tightened his cloak. iapping loose on his
body. tied his shoes. and said: In place OF
praising l will dispraise you." Then he went
In front of the horse. Tho horse raised his
tail and his head. and between his tail and his
neck he held the men firmly. Some tried to
jump of. but were as secure on the horse as
his own skin. Conan was the first to speak.
When he saw that he could not spring from
II bind you. oh. Fin. not to eat two meals of
the ono table or sleep two nights on the one
bed till you have me freed from this serpent"
When Fin and the Fenians heard this they
looked at one another. The adviser spoke
thon and said:
There is no time for delay. We have here
2 man to follow. and no Is Leesgawn Of
Fin called Leeagawn; and he went after tho
steed quickly. caught him at the edge of the
strand, and seized him by the tail. hut II he
did he grew fast to, the tail OF the horse and
was pulled forward on tho strand. He tried to
loose himself from the tail. but no use for him
The sea opened before the strange steed and
closed behind. The Gilla ran In front.
Twenty nine men were on the back Of the
horse and one fixed to his tail.
Fin and the Fenians were greatly distressed
mt tho sight. but could give no assistance.
They held council: and the druid said:
There Is an old shin in Bon Esdan. put that
ship in repair and sni after the steed."
Let US CO." said the Fenans. for the
ship"
As they were making ready TO- start two
luted him.