afternoon on a Saturday by the sea of Wight, slain by Eochaid, son of Enna Cennselach.

Torna took the boy with him, and fostered him... and after that neither Torna nor his fosterling came to Tara until the boy was fit to be king.

Then Torna and Niall came to Tara. 'Twas then that Cairenn, Niall's mother, as she was bringing water to Tara, chanced to meet them. Said Niall to her, "let this work alone."

"I dare not," she answered, "because of the queen.

"My mother, " said he, "shall not be serving and I the son of the king of Erin." Then he took her with him to Tara and clad her in purple raiment.

Anger seized Mongfinn, for that seemed evil to her. But this was the will of the men of Erin, that Niall should be king after his father. Wherefore Mongfinn said to Eochaid: "Pass judgment among thy sons, as to which of them shall receive thy heritage."

"I will not pass judgment, "he answered, "but Sithchenn the wizard will do so. " Then they sent to Sithchenn the smith, who dwelt in Tara, for he was a wise man and a wondrous prophet.

The smith set fire to his forge in which the four sons were placed.

Niall came out carrying the anvil and its block. "Niall vanquishes, said the wizard, "and he will be a solid anvil forever.

Brian came next, bringing the sledgehammers. “Brian to be your fighters," said the wizard

Then came Fiachra, bringing a pail of beer and the bellows. “Your beauty and your science with Fiachra," said the wizard.

Then came Ailill with the chest in which were the weapons. Ailill to avenge you," said the wizard.

Last came Fergus with the bundle of withered wood and a bar of yew therein "Fergus the withered," said the wizard. That was true, for the seed of Fergus was no good, excepting one, Cairech Dergain of Cloonburren. And hence is the saying" a stick of yew in a bundle of firewood."

To bear witness of that the Shanachie sang:

Eochaidh's five sons, Niall the great anvil.. Brian the sledge-hammer for true striking... Ailill the chest of spears against a tribe... Fiachra the blast, Fergus the withered.

Fiachra has the drink of ale, ... Ailill has the warlike spears... Brian has the entrance to battle, but Niall has the prize.

Now this was grievous to Mongfinn and she said to her sons, "Do you four sons quarrel, so that Niall may come to separate you, and then kill him."

Then they quarreled. "I wish to separate them," said Niall

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