Out of the huts came their
mothers in all haste to see what ailed them, and they too saw and
shrieked.
Whereon the men came running, each with a long-handled axe in his
hand, as if caught up from close by where each had been working.
Though they were wild and short of stature they were wiry and
active men, who might be good warriors if well led.
Dalfin leapt ashore and called to them, and they knew him,
welcoming him with a yell of delight, and crowding to do him noisy
homage. There were ten or fifteen of them, and it was some time
before the prince had a chance to make himself heard. When he
could, he called for the head man of the place, and one, with
fiery-red hair and beard, came and knelt before him to hear his
commands, while the rest drew back and stared, in a half circle. As
for us, we waited in the boat and laughed.
"What are all these beacon fires about?" asked Dalfin shortly.
"Danes in the river Bann, lord," the head man said.
"Have they landed yet?"
"No, lord. They wait for ransom they have demanded. If it comes
not, they will burn and harry all Ulster."
"How many ships, then?" asked Dalfin, on hearing that threat.
"Two ships, lord, and great ones."
The prince laughed at the man.
"What, burn all Ulster with two shiploads of men? That is a great
boast which we shall not care for.
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