4. CUCHULAINN AND FERDIA

Ferdia stood with drawn sword and gazed across the ford. His heart was sad and bitter. By a clever trick Queen Meabh had forced him to fight Cuchulainn, the great Ulster hero who had once been his best friend. Day after day at this same ford, Chuchulainn had fought and slain the finest of Meabh's fighting men in single combat. Now Ferdia had come to face him.

With a noise like thunder a great chariot came speeding towards the far bank of the river. Before it had stopped, a warrior leaped to the ground and walked across the ford. It was Cuchulainn. He wore a purple cloak, fastened in front by a silver brooch. In his hand he held the deadly GA BOLGA-- a magic spear which he had learned to throw skilfully. Ferdia stared at him in wonder, for he had grown more powerful since they last met. No wonder the men of Connacht feared him.

Cuchulainn was surprised and angry to see his old friend waiting to fight him. Sharp words were spoken and soon their friendship was forgotten. Ferdia, because he was first to reach the ford, had the choice of weapons. He chose spears. Armed with these, the two warriors faced each other on the river bank. All through the day they fought. But one could not master the other, for they were well matched in skill and bravery.

As darkness fell they stopped fighting and made friends again. They rested together beside the blazing camp fire and talked late into the night. Each dressed the other's wounds and they shared their food and drink. Even their horses and their chariot-drivers made friends that night. Then, as it was getting late, Ferdia returned to his own side of the river to sleep.

The next day the two friends met at the ford. Cuchulainn, whose turn it was to choose the weapons, decided they would fight with lances. Each warrior leaped into his chariot. Then, with lances forward, they charged and the thunder of the chariots could be heard for miles around. Hour after hour they fought.Then, tired and wounded, they returned to their camp fire. There they talked and rested as they had done the night before.

On the third day they fought with their heavy swords. This day seemed longer than any other, for by now the two warriors were very weary. That night no camp-fire was lit. They parted sadly without speaking. Each knew that the next day one of them, or perhaps both would die.

They arose early the following morning and went once more to the ford. This time Cuchulainn decided, they would fight in the middle of the shallow river. Ferdia agreed with heavy heart, for he knew that Cuchulainn had never met his match at fighting in water. Therefore he attacked with all his might. Back and forth through the ford they battled. So loud was the clash of their swords that it could be heard clearly in the Connacht camp.

Lao, Cuchulainn's chariot-criver, stood on the bank and urged his master to greater effort. Just then Ferdia saw his chance and drove his sword deep into Cuchulainn's body. Seeing his master sorely wounded, Lao sent the GA BOLGA floating down the river to him. Cuchulainn raised it. With one mighty throw he cast it over the rim of Ferdia's shield and the deadly weapon pierced his chest. As the noble Ferdia fell dying, the two friends spoke their last, sad, parting words to each other. Then Cuchulainn gently lifted him from the muddy water and laid him on the grassy bank. Ferdia was dead.

Cuchulainn knelt down beside the body of his friend and wept bitterly. There he stayed until darkness fell. Then, his heart heavy with grief, he arose and slowly left the ford.

Soon after this the Red Branch - the great warriors of Eamhain Macha - came hurrying to help Cuchulainn. Together they defeated the forces of Meabh and drove them back from the borders of Ulster.

The great war for the Black Bull of Cooley was over.