been doing wrong; it is, no doubt, one of the virtues of this well, that it will not let any one drink of its waters except from the drinking-horn.' So he took down the horn, dipped it into the well, and drank without hindrance, till he had slaked his thirst. Scarcely had he taken the horn from his lips, when he saw a tall gruagach[1] coming towards him from the east, clad in a complete suit of mail, and fully armed with shield and helmet, sword and spear. A beautiful scarlet mantle hung over his armour, fastened at his throat by a golden brooch; and a broad circlet of sparkling gold was bended in front across his forehead, to confine his yellow hair, and keep it from being blown about by the wind. As he came nearer, he increased his pace, moving with great strides; and Diarmait now observed that he looked very wrathful. He offered no greeting, and showed not the least courtesy; but addressed Diarmait in a rough, angry voice—'Surely, Diarmait O'Duibne, Erinn of the green plains should be wide enough for you; and it contains abundance of clear, sweet water in its crystal springs and green-bordered streams, from which you might have drunk your fill. But you have come into my island without my leave, and you have taken my drinking-horn, and have drunk from my well; and this spot you shall never leave till you have given me satisfaction for the insult.' " Then began a duel which lasted all day; but when the evening came, the gruagach suddenly sprang outside the range of
- ↑ The word gruagach is usually supposed to mean a long-haired creature, and it is commonly applied to a giant or any kind of uncanny fellow, for instance, in the stories in Campbell's Popular Tales of the West Highlands; but it is also employed of a female: see Campbell, i. 23-4.
