From: VAX::SYSTEM 25-AUG-1987 13:31 To: LOU Subj: Ex VAX3 From: ADIE1643@UK.AC.QUEENS-BELFAST.CENTRE.VAX1 25-AUG-1987 11:10 To: LOU Subj: Date: 25-AUG-1987 11:04:02 GMT +01:00 From: ADIE1643@UK.AC.QUEENS-BELFAST.CENTRE.VAX1 To: LOU@UK.AC.OXFORD.VAX1 ************************************************************* Title: MICHEA/L RUADH Author: Se/amus O/ Grianna Edition: First edition, no date (1925?). This is a pre-edited version. The pre-edits are inserted to facilitate automated processing and are explained below. By removing them, the natural appearance of the text can be recovered. This text may not employ all of these pre-edits. Edit character Function Original typography -------------- -------- ------------------- / vowel length mark acute accent on preceding vowel ^ initial lenition h or H + word or affix separator nil ~ sometimes inserted to stand for a word nil which has been completely elided (usually adjacent to a +) * proper name marker nil _ proper name element connector space - hyphen or dash; when used hyphen or dash as a dash it will be flanked by spaces ' apostrophe only apostrophe ` ` single quotation marks single open quotation mark or (both open and close) single close quotation mark " " double quotation marks double open quotation mark or (both open and close) double close quotation mark [Note: Nested quotation marks: it is normal to print double and single quotation marks at alternate levels. Here, double quotes are used at the highest level, even though some texts use the reverse convention.] [ ] delimit titles of nil, enlarged, boldface, etc. text sections # # delimit titles mentioned quotation marks (Irish), italics or quotation marks (English) { } delimit poetry nil, quotation marks (Irish), italics (English) sometimes, reduced type @ @ delimit quotations in Irish nil, quotation marks (especially other dialects) sometimes, indentation & & delimit words or phrases in other languages, nil, which do not conform to Irish orthography italics, quotation marks, etc. $ $ delimit emphasized words usually boldface = end of line marker nil; if these are removed, any characters following the = on the same line should also be removed. [Note: the use of an end-of-line marker enables the hierarchical logical structure of the text to be captured, by placing an appropriate number of spaces before the EOLN marker. Characters may be placed after the EOLN marker to distinguish different types of unit at the same logical level.] Error correction, using | | | A very limited number of obvious errors in the printed texts have been (reversibly) corrected, by using triples of | | |, with character strings between them. A string between the first pair is an insertion, while a string between the second and third is a deletion. Thus: coding original text suggested correct text |b|a| a b |b|| nil b ||a| a nil Indentation has been removed. The physical text structure is encoded through COCOA-format page references. ****************************************************************************

Tairgim an leabhar seo do = m'+athair = O/+'s leis a b'+annsa cuid e/achtaidhe = na sean+-+iondairidhe a aithris. =

Reamhra/dh. = Ni/ cumraidheacht ar bith na sge/alta seo. B^i/ leithe/id = *M^ichea/il_Ruaidh ann agus rinne se/ na gni/omharthai/ = ata/ fa/gtha air. An te/ a t^iocfas go *Rann-na-feirsde = g^eobhaidh se/ a b^unadh annsin go fo/ill, agus iad a/balta = a t^re/athra a innse go beacht. M^air *Michea/l_Ruadh = amuigh is astuigh ar c^e/ad bliadhain o/ s^oin - go di/reach = sul a d+tainig teangaidh agus no/sai/ na n+gall i d+treis = i n-+*E/irinn, sul ar e/ag *Clanna_Mi/leadh na g+cath, agus = sul a d+tainig an dona/n leath+-+g^allta a leig a m^aidi/ = le sruth ins an c^e/ad 's c^uaidh thart. = Deir scri/bhneo/iri/ gur cuireadh deireadh le *Clanna_= Mi/leadh ag *Ceann_t-+Sa/ile. Cuireadh, de t^airbhe seilbh = an talaimh agus riaghaltas na ti/re agus dea/namh cogaidh. = Ach m^air an sean+-+spiorad d^a/ c^e/ad bliadhain 'na = d^iaidh sin, ariamh no/ go bh+fuair an *G^aedhilg ba/s ins an = ti/r. An te/ a le/ighfeas cuid gni/omharthai/ *M^ichea/il_= Ruaidh agus annsin a le/ighfeas sge/al *Fianaidheachta = 'na d^iaidh, ni/ fe/idir do/ gan a t^abhairt fa/ dear comh = cosamhail agus ta/ siad le c^e/ile. T^roid *Diarmuid_= Donn agus *Oscar agus *Oisi/n le claidhmhtheachaibh agus = le sleaghthachaibh. T^roid *Michea/l_Ruadh le steafo/g = d^roighin cionn 's nach rabh cead ag *E/ireannach san am = sin, arm ni/ ba c^ontabhairtighe a iomchur. Ce/ nach = d+tiocfadh leis a t^uigbhea/il, *Michea/l_Ruadh a b^eith ag = gabhail un spa/irne le *Meargach no/ le h-+*Arraigi/n_Mo/r, = agus *Diarmuid_Donn ag baint e/iric b^eairti/n *C^ro/na = as an c^eannuidhe, no/ *Oscar ag siubhal de c^osaibh trioma = ar c^uid corp a na/mhad trasna abhainn an *C^locha/in_= Le/ith? B^eir *Michea/l_Ruadh agus a m^acasamhail le = fios du/inn nar e/ag spiorad na *Fe/inne le linn = *Pa/druig an tonn b^aiste a c^ur ar *Oisi/n, agus fa/inne =

draoidheachta na h-+o/ige a m^eilt 'na d^eoir ar a b^ois. = D^i/bir an creideamh fi/or a rabh i/seal ins an *Pa/ga/nach = ach ni/or bain se/ da/ rabh uasal ann. Fad is m^air an = *G^aedhilg da/ canstan ar fud na ti/re agus na sean+-+= no/sai/ da/ g+cleachtadh, m^air tre/athra na *Fe/inne - gra/dh = ar g^aisgeamhlacht os cionn gach uile nidh, cabhair don = duine lag agus comhrac don duine la/idir, croidhe = mo/r agus fairrsingeach agus fe/ile. Ni/or+b^' olc an = t-+ainm ar *M^ichea/il_Ruadh "An *Fian Deireannach," no/ = sin an rud a b^i/ ann go fi/or. = Le linn an *G^aedhilg imtheacht, c^aill na daoini/ na = tre/athra seo. Agus na/isiu/n ar bith a g+caillfidhe a = clann na tre/athra ce/adna, is goirid a seal. Agus ba = g^oirid seal na h-+*E/ireann murab e/ go deachaidh corr+-+= d^uine dearcach a d^'+iarraidh an teangaidh a t^abhairt = o/+'n b^a/s. Agus nuair a c^ualaidh na *Fianna na glo/rthai/ = binne ari/s, m^uscail siad agus t^eann ortha a g+cuid = airm agus e/ididh. = O/ t^a/rla go bh+fuil an spiorad ag spreagadh na = n+gaedheal arais ba c^o/ir de na sge/altaibh seo taitmhea/il = leo. Ni/l siad saor o/ locht: ta/ siad sgri/obhtha go di/reach = mar d'+innis an seanchuidhe iad. Agus ta/ f^ios ag an = t-+saoghal go g+cailleann sge/al cuid m^o/r le linn e/ a = scri/obhadh. An guth a t^ig o/+'n p^a/ipea/r bidh se/ fuar = marbh le taobh g^uth b^eo an t-+seancuidhe. 'S+e/ a d+tig = leis an le/ightheo/ir a d^ea/namh, le iomla/n suilt a b^aint = as na sge/altaibh seo, smuaintiughadh i n-+a intinn ar = an t-+seanchuidhe - 'na s^uidhe ins an c^lu/daigh oidhche = c^iu/in f^oghmhair, no/ oidhche g^aothach g^eimhridh, e/ cna/mhach = lom ricneach liath, glo/r a c^inn ag a/thrach le achan a/thrach = da/ bh+fuil sa sge/al, coimea/dadh se/ na la/mha agus an corp, = ag gabhail nuair a t^ig an seanchuidhe go dti/ gni/omh = e/ifeachtach no/ cainnt uasal; agus b'+f^e/idir an gol ag = briseadh air corr+-+uair le tre/an bro/id agus le neart = cumhaidhe, "anois nuair nach maireann siad." Ma/ g^nidh = an le/ightheo/ir sin, be/idh na focla beo. Cluinfidh se/ glo/r = *D^onnchaidh_S^ea/in_O/ig ag teacht aniar o/+'n t-+sean t-+saoghal = agus tchi/fidh se/ *Michea/l_Ruadh ag imirt a c^leasa ari/s. = *Iolann_Fionn. =

*Michea/l_Ruadh. =TT Fad o/ s^oin nuair a b^i/ mise '+mo g^iorsaigh, g^ni/odh = *Donnchadh_S^ea/in_O/ig mo/ra/n a/irnea/il againn. Co/mh-= ra/idhteach brea/gh a b^i/ ann, agus ma/ b'+f^ada a s^aoghal, ag = cainnt ar a g^aisgidhigh agus ar g^ni/omharthai/ gaisgeamhla. = 'S+cuma ca h-+air a d+tarro/naidhe an seanchus, b^e/arfadh = focal beag da/ lag|h||ad e/, na laochraidh i g+ceann = *D^onnchaidh. Agus c^aithfea/ cluas a t^abhairt do/, ce/ = gur c^ualaidh tu/ na sge/altai/ ce/adna aige mi/le uair = aroimhe. Is beag oidhche ar c^or ar bith, o/ t^igeadh fad = beag ar an oidhche fa/ Lu/ghnasna, go d+te/igheadh an F^e/il = *Pa/druig sin a b^i/ chugat amach, nach d+tugadh se/ cuairt = ar an teach 's againne. B^i/ du/il m^o/r aige a b^eith ag = cainnt ar f^earaibh maithe na *Rosann. Ach b^i/ fear = amha/in os cionn an iomla/in nach leigeadh se/ oidhche ar = bith thart gan cuid da/ c^uid tre/athra a innse - mar b^i/ = *Michea/l_Ruadh_O/_Baoighill as *Rann-na-feirsde. = Is maith is cuimhin liom oidhche amha/in i d+tratha na = Samhna a t^a/inig se/ d^'+a/irnea/l chugainn agus ni/ d^eachaidh = drod ar a b^e/al o/ g^abhail o/ s|h||olus de go rabh am+-+luighe = domhain ann ach ag sge/aluidheacht ar *M^ichea/l_Ruadh. = T^a/inig se/ isteach le clap+-+s^olus mar ba g^na/t|h||ach leis, = a d^a/ la/imh ar c^u/l a c^inn aige, hata bog dubh air, agus = du/do/g p^i/opa i n-+a b^e/al aige. B^i/ an du/do/g c^e/adna = aige o/ t^a/inig cuimhne chugam, agus anois b^i/ dath uirthi = comh dubh le cloich a' b^ac. = "Se/ do b^eatha d^'+a/irnea/l," arsa mo m^athair leis. = "Ni/l me/ fad na fa/ilte amuigh," arsa *Donnchadh. = "Druid ani/os leis a' teinidh," arsa m'+athair. =

"Ni/l an oidhche ata/ ann fuar," arsa *Donnchadh, ag = suidhe ag e/ada/n an b^alla+-+b^ig. = "Ni/l se/ te ach oiread, o/ t^ig a' la/ seo 'n b^liadhain," = arsa m'+athair. "Cuir do c^athaoir i bh+fos annseo sa = c^lu/daigh. Ta/ siorradh beag fuar isteach ar b^un a' = dorais druidthe sin." = T^a/inig *Donnchadh ani/os 'na clu/dadh agus c^uir se/ = aibhleo/g ar an du/do/ig. Leoga is iomdha uair o/ sin = go h-+am luighe a c^uir se/ aibhleo/g ar an du/do/ig c^e/adna = no/ ni/ rabh ann ach go m+be/adh si/ dearg mar ba c^o/ir aige = go leigeadh se/ as arais i/ leis an c^omhra/dh. = "Goide/ mar ta/ tu/ ar aghaidh leis an obair?" arsa = m'+athair. "Creidim go bh+fuil bunadhas na b+prea/tai/ = bainte agat." = "Maise, fe/adaim a ra/dh go bh+fuil" arsa *Donnchadh = "ach d^a/ no/ 'r tri/ '+iomaireacha de p^rea/tai/ malla ata/ ar a' = *P^olla/n-bhog agam agus ni/l deifre ar bith orm leo, = no/ ta/ siad glas go fo/ill agus cuid m^o/r aca nach mo/ = 'na/ go bh+fuil siad sgaithte de na barra." = "Droch rud a m+baint agus gan iad sgaithte," arsa = m'+athair. "Ta/ contabhairt ortha lo/ghad|h|| sna poill = ari/s." = "Gra/sta o/ D^ia ar na mairbh," arsa *Donnchadh, "is = fada an la/ o/ t^ug *Michea/l_Ruadh a b^i/ thuas annseo = c||h|omhairle domh gan prea/tai/ a b^aint a choidhche fad is = b^e/adh aon d^uilleo/g amha/in glas ar na barra. B^i/ an = talamh sin aige ar a' *P^olla/n-bhog ata/ agam+-+sa anois, = agus ni/or b^ain se/ aon p^rea/ta ariamh as go d+te/igheadh = la/ Samhna amach." = "Nar s^i/l me/ gur i n-+i/ochtar a' b^aile a b^i/ *Michea/l_= Ruadh 'na c^omhnuidhe," arsa m'+athair. = "'S ann a to/gadh e/," arsa *Donnchadh. "Ach ar a' = *P^olla/n-bhog a c^aith se/ deireadh a s^aoghail. Ni/ rabh se/ = os cionn d^a/ b^liadhain de/ag nuair a d'+f^a/g se/ an baile = agus c^uaidh se/ 'un a' *Laga/in. Ar c^ualaidh sibh ariamh = goide/ d'+e/irigh do/ an c^ead b^liadhain a c^uaidh se/ amach?" =

Dubhairt achan d^uine nar c^ualaidh. S^uidh me/ fe/in agus = an c^uid eile de na pa/isti/ thart fa/+'n teinidh, agus = t^oisigh *Donnchadh a sge/aluidheacht. = "Ta/," arsa *Donnchadh, "ni/ rabh se/ ach i g+cionn a d^a/ = b^liadhain de/ag nuair a d'+f^a/g se/ an baile agus c^uaidh = se/ go h-+aonach a' t+*Seanbhaile i *Leitirceanainn a iarraidh = fasto/idh. Ni/ rabh se/ i bh+fad ar an aonach go d+ta/inig = Albanach as *Gleann-tSu/ilighe thart agus go d+tea/rn se/ = *Michea/l a f^asto/dh fa/ c^oinne buachailleachta, ar s^e/ sgilling = de/ag seal na leith+-+b^liad|h||na. B^i/ go maith go dti/ eadar = sin a's tra/thas, agus ce/ casadh ar an m^aighistir ach an = gasu/r a b^i/ aige anuraidh roimh sin. C^uaidh an b^eirt = 'un margaidh; agus ba e/ an deireadh a b^i/ air go d+tea/rn = se/ an dara gasu/r a f^asto/dh ar d^a/ sgilling de/ag, go = Samhain. = "C^uaidh se/ f^ad le *Michea/l_Ruadh. `Is fea/rr duit,` = ar seisean leis, `a b^eith '+baint a' b^aile amach sul a = d+tigidh coim na h-+oidhche; ta/ gasu/r eile fasto/dhuighthe = agam+-+sa.` `Rinne tu/ mise a f^asto/dh,` arsa *Michea/l, = `agus ni/l cead agat a g^abha/il ar do t^o/in in do m^argadh. = Ma/ t^e/ighid, caithfidh tu/ an p^i/ghinn d^eireannach de mo = t^uarastal a d^i/ol liom sul a bh+fa/gaidh me/ an t-+aonach.` = `Fa/g m'+amharc, a smugacha/in,` ars an maighistir, = `no/ b^|e/a|ea/|rfainn thart le bois t^u/.` = "Ni/ d^ea/rn *Michea/l_Ruadh ach bogadh leis agus ni/or = stad se/ go rab|h|| se/ i n+*Gleann-tSu/ilighe. Nuair a = t^a/inig an maighistir agus an gasu/r eile leis, fuair = se/ *Michea/l co/ir istuigh roimhe. `Tchi/m go d+ta/inig = an t-+o/ga/nach chugaibh,` ar seisean le n-+a m^naoi, `i n+diaidh = mise innse do/ nach rabh gnoithe agam leis.` `Se/ ach = d'+innis tu/ roimh sin domh go rabh gnoithe agat liom,` = arsa *Michea/l, `agus,` ar seisean, `sin an margadh = ce/adna a g+caithfidh tusa seasamh do/. No/ ni/ rachaidh = mise 'na b^aile go la/ Samhna.` `Rachaidh tu/ 'na b^aile = ar be/al maidne,` ars an maighistir. `Cha/ d+te/ighim,` = arsa *Michea/l. `Mur' d+te/ighidh,` ars an maighistir, = `c^ead agat a b^eith beo gan b^iadh. No/ d^eamhan greim = a g^eibh tu/ annseo.` =

"Ar maidi/n a' la/ thar na b^a/rach sgaoileadh amach = an t-+eallach leis an g^asu/r eile. C^uir se/ sin slat fa/ = d+taobh daobhtha agus siud e/ da/ d+tioma/int amach 'na = c^nuic. S^iubhail *Michea/l amach i n-+a c^uideachta. B^i/ = go maith go dti/ go d+ta/inig an mea/dhon+-+lae, agus = t^a/inig giorsach amach agus goga/n bracha/in agus bainne = le/ithe chuig an g^asu/r eile agus ni/ rabh a d^ath fa/ c^oinne = *M^ichea/il. B^i/ an gasu/r eile ni/ ba m^o/ agus ni/ ba sine = 'na/ *Michea/l, ach ma/ b^i/ fe/in, ni/or c^uir sin beag+-+uchtach = ar bith ar *M^ichea/l. = "`Caithfidh mise leath a' b^racha/in a f^a/ghail,` arsa = *Michea/l. = "`Chan f^a/ghann, no/ diabhail deor,` ars an gasu/r = mo/r. = "`Chan o/lann tu/ ach a leath an iarraidh seo gan troid = ar a s^on,` arsa *Michea/l. = "D'+amharc an gasu/r mo/r ar an draoidi/n a b^i/ ag = cur troda air agus rinne se/ ga/ire. = "`Seo, ni/ a/dhbhar ga/ire ar bith an sge/al,` arsa = *Michea/l. `Fa/g si/os an goga/n.` = "C^uir an gasu/r mo/r an spono/g sa' b^racha/n, a' brath = toiseacht d^a/ o/l. Le sin t^eann *Michea/l anonn leis = agus b^uail se/ le cu/l a b^oise trasna an b^e/il e/. Ni/ = rabh an dara focal ann. D'+f^a/g an gasu/r mo/r an = goga/n ar an f^e/ar agus fuair se/ fe/in agus *Michea/l = d^a/ g^reim sgeadama/in ar a c^e/ile. Ni/or luaithe a = fuair *Michea/l greim air 'na/ b^uail se/ faoi e/. Leig se/ = do/ e/irghe, agus c^uaidh an b^e||/|irt le n-+a c^e/ile ari/s. Ach = ba e/ an mi/niughadh 's re/idhteach a b^i/ ann gur b^uail = *Michea/l leithead a c^raicinn air. = "`Bh+fuil do s^a/it|h|| buailte ort?` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Ta/,` ars an gasu/r mo/r. = "`Bhail anois,` arsa *Michea/l, `toisigh agus o/l = leath a' b^racha/in agus an b^ainne, agus fa/g an leath = eile agam+-+sa.|`|| = "Rann siad an bracha/n le c^e/ile. Nuair a c^uir siad = an t-+eallach 'na b^aile tra/thno/na, d'+innis an gasu/r = mo/r an sge/al go di/reach mar t^a/rluigh se/, o/ n-+a t^u/s go = dti/ n-+a d^eireadh. =

"`A/dhbhar fir ata/ ionnat,` ars an maighistir = le *Michea/l. `Ni/ b^e/idh fiachadh ort troid ar son do = c^odach an dara la/.` = "C^oinnigh se/ an b^eirt g^asu/r go Samhain agus ni/or f^a/g = *Michea/l_Ruadh an teach sin ar feadh c^u/ig leith+-+b^liad|h||nach. = Da/ b^ri/gh de, b'+f^uras aithne go n+dea/nfadh se/ fear = maith no/ b^i/ sracadh ann, 'na g^asu/r fe/in." = "A *D^onnchaidh," arsa m'+athair, "an rabh aon f^ear = eadar an da/ f^earrsaid a b^i/ ion+-+c^urtha leis i g+cionn = bata?" = "Eadar a' da/ f^earrsaid!" arsa *Donnchadh. "Ni/ = rabh no/ o/ sin go *Sligeach." = "'S mo/r a' focal e/," arsa m'+athair. = "Ta/ siud fi/or, '+*F^eidhlimidh," arsa *Donnchadh. "Agus = 's+e/ an rud a b^eir orm sin a ra/dh, b^uail se/ tincleo/ir = nach rabh aon f^ear an taobh seo de uisce na *Bo/inne = nach rabh eagla air roimhe." = "Maise, 'n abair tu/ sin liom?" arsa m'+athair. = "Ta/ siad uilig marbh anois," arsa *Donnchadh, "ni/ = ceart domh cor an f^ocail a c^ur ortha. C^ualaidh me/ = le mo d^a/ c^luais *Se/amus_Anna_Ni/_A/rluigh ag innse = an sge/il ni/os mo/ 'na/ uair agus 'na/ d^a/ uair. T^a/inig = an tincleo/ir isteach i g+cea/rdcha *S^e/amuis la/ amha/in = agus s^uidh se/ a c^o/mhra/dh le *Se/amus agus a c^aitheamh = tobaca as pi/opa fada cailce a b^i/ aige. Nuair a b^i/ = an pi/opa caithte aige go dti/ an to/n, ce/ t^a/inig isteach = ach *Michea/l_Ruadh. S^i/n an tincleo/ir an pi/opa chuige = agus d'+iarr air toit a c^aitheamh. B^eir *Michea/l air, = agus an c^ead smailc a t^arraing se/, li/onadh a b^e/al le = gri/osach d^earg t^e. T^a/inig mothughadh feirge air agus = c^uir se/ a la/mh i n-+a p^o/ca a' brath an pi/opa a li/onadh. = Ach goide/ a b^i/ ach dearmad dea/nta da/ c^uid tobaca = aige. Nuair a c^onnaic se/ nach rabh a d^ath tobaca aige = fuair an f^earg buaidh air, 's ni/ d^ea/rn se/ ach an pi/opa = a t^arraingt as a b^e/al agus smionagar a d^ea/namh de = ar an inneo/ir. = "`Da/ m+be/adh mo c^uid tobaca liom li/onfainn fe/in = e/,` ar seisean. `Nuair nach bh+fuil bi/odh sin agat. =

B^e/arfaidh se/ le fios duit gan pi/opa folamh a s^i/neadh = do+'n f^ear go deo arais.` = "`B^e/arfaidh mise le fios duit+-+se||/|,` ars an tincleo/ir, = `sul a rabh me/ re/idh leat, nach m+briseann tu/ pi/opa a'n = f^ir a choidhche ar a leithid de d^o/igh.` = "`Da' Dia cha/ d+tugann,` arsa *Mi||/|chea|/||l, `no/ sin rud = nach d+tig leat a d^ea/namh.` = "`Be/idh le fiacha/il,` ars an tincleo/ir, ag breith = ar a b^ata agus ag gabha/il a le/im amach ar a' doras. = "C^uaidh *Michea/l amach 'na d^iaidh agus a b^ata fe/in = leis. = "`'+*M^ichea/il,` arsa *Se/amus_Anna_Ni/_A/rluigh i g+cogar = le *Michea/l, `ni/l aon f^ear a' siubhal na ti/re ion+-+c^urtha = leis an f^ear sin i g+cionn bata. 'S fea/rr duit gan = roinn a b^eith agat leis. Da/ f^eabhas t^u/, ta/ eagla orm = go m+buailfidh se/ t^u/.` = "`Fad 's rachaidh mise, rachaidh me/,` arsa *Michea/l, = agus siud si/os e/ i n-+diaidh an tincleo/ra go dti/ le/ana = beag glas a b^i/ faoi d^oras na cea/rdcha. = "C^uir an gabha a d^a/ la/imh sna h-+ursannacha agus = s^easuigh se/ d^'+amharc amach ortha. C^aith an b^eirt daobhtha = go dti/ na le/inte agus t^arraing d^a/ le/ab ar a c^e/ile. = T^roid siad gur f^eann siad na h-+ailt ag n-+a c^e/ile = agus ni/ f^uair aon f^ear ariamh aca buille ar c^loigeann = an f^ir eile. Sa deireadh b^uail *Michea/l e/ o/ c^u/l a = la/imhe trasna ar f^ad na cluaise agus d'+f^a/g si/nte 'na = b^rada/n ar an f^e/ar e/. C^uir sin deireadh leis. Ni/ = t^roidfeadh an tincleo/ir ni/os mo/. O/+'n la/ sin ni/ ba = m^o/ b|h||i/ cliu/ *M^ichea/il_Ruaidh ar fud na ti/re." = "'+*M^a/ire, cuir si/os an teinidh" arsa mo m^a/thair liom = fe/in, "agus t^ig leat e/isteacht a t^abhairt do+'n sge/al = ins an am c^e/adna." = "Ta/ do s^aith 'e t^einidh thi/os," arsa *Donnchadh. = "Ba m^o/r a' truaigh a b^a/s mar *M^ichea/l_Ruadh,||"| no/ = ba e/ scoith an f^ir e/" arsa m'+athair. = "'S leis a ba c^o/ir a ra/dh" arsa *Donnchadh. "D^uine, = b|h||i/ se/ 'n '+f^ear ar achan d^o/igh a rachadh fiacha/il air. Ni/ =

h+e/ amha/in de go rabh se/ 'na t^rodaidhe ach b^i/ se/ = fearamhail ionraice, uasal, de/irceach. Mur' bh+fuil = se/ geal sna Flaithis anocht go bh+fo/iridh Dia ar a la/n = eile, no/ ni/ rabh a'n b^all claoidhte istuigh ann. An = g+cualaidh tu/ ariamh goide/ mar c^uir se/ fe/in agus *Sea/n_= O/_Connacha/n gnoithe an p^aidiri/n?" = "Char c^ualaidh," arsa m'+athair. = "Ta/," arsa *Donnchadh, "b^i/ *Sea/n_O/_Connacha/n 'na = c^omhnuidhe sa *G^leann-chuallach agus teach o/sta/idh aige. = Oidhche amha/in g^eimhridh t^a/inig *Michea/l_Ruadh isteach = chuige, tamall beag roimh am+-+luighe. D'+iarr se/ o/sta/dh = na h+oidhche go maidi/n agus fuair. Ce/+'n oidhche a b^i/ = ann ach oidhche Aonaigh an G^eimhridh i *Leitirceanainn. = Oidhche gaoithe mo/ire a b^i/ ann agus e/ '+plu/chadh s^neachta. B^i/ = *Michea/l 'na s^uidhe a c^ois na teineadh agus a b^ro/ga = de, nuair a t^a/inig beirt b^eaga g^asu/r isteach agus = iad faoi s^neachta o/ m^ullach a g+cinn go ba/rr a g+coise, = agus anglach ionnta le fuacht i n-+diaidh siubhal as = *Leitirceanainn. B^i/ siad amuigh ar a' m^argadh, agus = ni/ f^uair ceachtar aca fasto/dh. S^easuigh siad ar b^un = an urla/ir, go fuar faitcheach agus deor as achan ribe = daobhtha, agus d'+iarr o/sta/dh na h-+oidhche go maidi/n. = D'+f^iafruigh *Sea/n daobhtha an rabh oiread airgid aca = agus d^i/olfadh a n-+dolaidh. Dubhairt siad+-+san nach = rabh aon p^i/ghinn aca. Dubhairt *Sea/n, o/ t^a/rla nach = rabh, go g+caithfeadh siad a g^abha/il amach. = "`'+*S^ea/in,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh, `ma/ c^uireann tu/ = amach na gasrai/ an oidhche ata/ ann, be/idh a m+ba/s ort. = Ni/ b^uaidhfidh leobhtha a g^abha/il *Bealach-gaoithe go deo = fri/d a t-+sneachta, ar s^iubhal na h+oidhche. Ni/ b^e/idh = siad beo ar maidi/n ma/ c^uireann tu/ amach iad.` = "`Ni/ b^e/inn fe/in i bh+fad beo,` arsa *Sea/n, `da/ = d+tugainn biadh agus deoch agus leabaidh da/ ||'|dtig an = bealach seo agus gan pi/ghinn i n-+a b+po/cai/.` = "`Tabhair a_'+bealach do na gasrai/,` arsa *Michea/l, = `agus di/olfaidh mise ce/ be/ b^e/as i n-+a n-+e/ada/n ar = maidi/n. Dea/nadh duine agaibh re/idh tra/th bidh daobhtha. = ||`|Ani/os libh a g^asrai/,` ar seisean, `agus suidhidh ag an = teinidh.` =

"B^ain na gasrai/ fu/tha go maidi/n agus an la/ thar = na b^a/rach d^i/ol *Michea/l a n-+dolaidh agus d'+imthigh se/ = fe/in 's iad fe/in. = "Ni/ rabh de sin ach sin go dti/ cu/ig bliadhna o/+'n = oidhche sin, agus tamall beag roimh am+-+luighe isteach le = *Michea/l toigh *S^ea/in_Ui/_C|h||onnacha/n ari/s agus e/ i n+diaidh = a b^eith ar m^argadh *Leitirceanainn ag di/ol olna. Teacht = 'un a' toighe do/ b^i/ fear o/g 'na s^uidhe '+c^ois na teineadh = ceannta/rnocht agus e/adach ba/n thart ar a m^uinea/l = mar b^e/adh sgeadama/n nimhneach aige. Goide/ b^i/ ann ach = sagart, acht ni/ rabh f^ios seo ag *Michea/l_Ruadh. Dar = le *Sea/n, a *M^ichea/il, bainfidh me/ do m^i/+-+apaidh asat = os coinne an t-+sagairt. B^i/ go maith go dea/rn *Michea/l = a s^uipea/r. `Taisbea/nadh duine agaibh,` ar seisean, = `mo leabaidh domh+-+sa go d+te/ighidh me/ '+luighe.` = "`O/, '+*M^ichea/il, cinnte ni/ rachtha/ a luighe go n-+abraimid = an paidri/n,` arsa *Sea/n. = "`Abraidh fe/in mur b+paidiri/n,` arsa *Michea/l, `is = sibh is lugha '+t^uirse o/+'n la/. Ta/ mise i n+diaidh siubhal = as *Leitirceanainn agus ba c^o/ir go n+dea/nfadh urnaighe = ba ta/ire 'na/ paidiri/n mo g^noithe anocht.` = "`Anois, a S^agairt,` arsa *Sea/n_O/_Connacha/n, ag = tabhairt aghaidh ar an f^ear a b^i/ sa c^lu/daigh, `goide/ = mur m+baramhail de+'n f^ear sin a leigeas air fe/in gur = Gaedheal e/ agus nach n-+e/isteann an paidiri/n?` = "Rinne an sagart draothadh ga/ire. = "`Bhail anois, a S^agairt,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh, = `e/istidh liom+-+sa bomaite, chan a t^abhairt de an+-+o/rdughadh = di/bh e/. B^i/ mise annseo go minic in mo s^aoghal, agus = ni/or c^oguigh *Sea/n_O/_Connacha/n ariamh me/ fa/ p^aidiri/n = go dti/ anocht. Agus ni/ labhairfeadh se/ ar p^aidiri/n = anocht,` ar seisean, `ach a g^eall ar duine diadhanta = a d^ea/namh de fe/in cionn's sibh+-+se a b^eith sa lathair. = Ach o/ t^a/rla go d+tug seisean iarraidh mo c^liu/ a c^ur = liom+-+sa, fanaidh anois a S^agairt go g+cuiridh mise a = c^liu/ leisean. Ta/ sean aithne agam+-+sa ar *S^ea/n_O/_= C^onnacha/n,` ar seisean. `Is fada a' teacht 'un a t^oighe = me/. Cu/ig bliadhna gus an oidhche anocht a b^i/ me/ annseo = go deireannach. Agus b^i/ sneachta a' gabhail go leath =

mo m^ealltai/ orm a' teacht trasna an c^nuic domh, = agus an oidhche comh dorcha agus nar le/ar duit do = m^e/ar a c^ur in do s^u/il. T^a/inig d^a/ lupada/n leinbh,` = ar seisean, `t^a/inig sin isteach a iarraidh o/staidh na = h-+oidhche, agus c^uirfeadh *Sea/n_O/_Connacha/n amach iad = an oidhche a b^i/ ann, agus c^ead aca ba/s f^a/ghail sa' = t-+sneachta, m||h|ura+b^ e/ gur d^i/ol mise a n+dolaidh. Sin = *Sea/n_O/_Connacha/n agaibh, a S^agairt,` ar seisean. = `Ca/ m^e/ad paidiri/n a b^e/adh a d^i/oghbha/il air a ra/dh sul = a g+cuirfeadh se/ de an c^a/ipi/s a d'+f^a/gfadh ba/s na n+gasu/r = sin air? Agus rud beag eile de, a S^agairt,` arsa = *Michea/l, `nuair a goideadh d^a/ b^earach na baintrea-= bhaighe o/+'n c^noc, c^eannuigh *Sea/n_O/_Connacha/n o+'n = g^aduidhe iad cionn's go bh+fuair se/ ar leath a luach iad, = agus fios maith aige go d+ta/inig siad go mi/+-+ionraice. = Ca/ m^e/ad paidiri/n a dea/rfas se/ sul a d+tugaidh Dia = maitheamhnas do/ ins na bearaigh?` = "`Seo, seo,` ars an sagart, `ta/ go leor canta.` = "`Ta|/|| barraidheacht canta, a S^agairt,` arsa *Michea/l, = `da/ m+be/adh neart air. Ach,` ar seisean, `o/ t^a/rla = go g+caithfidh me/ b^eith dith+-+mu/inte, ba m^aith liom da/ = n-+innseadh sibh an me/id seo domh. An bh+fuil se/ = d'+f^iachaibh ar *S^ea/n_O/_Connacha/n na bearaigh no/ a luach = a t^abhairt do+n b^aintreabhaigh? No/ an n+dea/nfaidh se/ = gnoithe do/ comhrac guidheado/rachta a c^ur ar achan = d^uine 'a d+tiocfaidh 'un a t^oig|h||e. Ma/ g^nidh, ni/l dochar = i g+cuid na comharsann agus ni/l sa t-+Soisge/al ach = bagar`. = "Bhail, cinnte ba b^eag a ba lugha ar *S^ea/n_O/_= C^onnacha/n 'na/ e/ 'na d^iaidh sin," arsa m'+athair. = "T^ug se/ fe/in le fios gur b^eag," arsa *Donnchadh. = "No/ bliadhain 'na d^iaidh seo b^i/ *Michea/l arais ann, = agus ce/ b^i/ '+baint faoi ann an oidhche c^e/adna ach diu/lach = as *Inbhear dar b^'+ainm *Cathal_'Ac_Nialluis. B^i/ ainm = fir m^aith ag *Cathal seo, agus du/il b^rea/gh aige sa g^loine. = Goide/ rinne *Sea/n_O/_Connacha/n ach leath+-+p^ionnta uisce = b^eatha a g^eallstan do/ da/ m+buaileadh se/ *Michea/l_Ruadh. = C^uir m'+o/ga/nach 'un tosaigh ar *M^ichea/l e/. C^uaidh a' b^eirt = le c^e/ile agus b^uail *Michea/l e/. =

"`Anois, a *S^ea/in_Ui/_C^onnacha/n,` ar seisean, `go = m+beiridh an diabhal leis fear a s^easuigh ar d' urla/r = ariamh nach m+buailfinn+-+se.` = "B^i/ go maith go cionn c^upla bliadhain agus b^i/ *Michea/l = thiar i n-+*Inbhear fa/ c^oinne lo/d sgada/n+-+beag. T^a/inig = an oidhche agus siud a c^uartughadh lo/isti/n e/. S^iubhail = se/ cu/ig toighthe agus ni/ f^uair se/ lo/isti/n i n-+aon = c^eann aca. `Dar a|'|| bata ta/ in mo la/imh,` ar seisean = leis fe/in, `an c^ead teach eile a d+tiocfaidh me/ f^ad = leis ni/ rachaidh me/ amach daobhtha.` = "S^iubhail se/ leis agus ce/+'n c^ead teach a d+ta/inig = se/ f^ad leis ach teach *C^athail_'Ic_Nialluis. `Ta/ me/ = ar s^iubhal ag iarraidh di/dean na h-+oidhche,` ar seisean, = nuair a c^uir se/ a c^eann isteach ar an doras. `Agus,` = ar seisean. `ta/ cu/ig toighthe as de/is a c^e/ile siubhalta = agam agus c^uir achan c^eann amach me/. 'S ta/ mionna = orm nach bh+fa/gaim an teach seo go maidi/n, sin no/ go = g+cuirtear amach me/ le treise la/mh.` = "B^i/ fear a' toighe 'na luighe ar c^olbha na leabtha = agus c^ualaidh se/ an t-+o/ga/nach dith+-+mu/inte, dar leis = fe/in, a' botalaigh ag n-+a d^oras. = "`Dar fiadh,` ar seisean ag e/irghe aniar agus ag = breith ar a b^ata, `mur bh+fuil a d^i/oghbha/il ort ach fear = a c^uirfeas amach t^u/, cha/ b^i/onn tu/ i bh+fad annsin. Las = coinneal g^iu/bhais du/inn,` ar seisean leis an m^naoi, = `gur le/ar du/inn cloigne a c^e/ile.` = "C^uir bean a' toighe slis ins an teinidh agus las si/ i/, = agus t^eann *Michea/l_Ruadh ani/os i n-+aice la/r an urla/ir = no/ go bh+facaidh *Cathal '+aghaidh, le solus na slise. = "`'S tu/ *Michea/l_Ruadh,` ar seisean, `a b^i/ a' troid = liom+-+sa toigh *S^ea/in_Ui/_C^onnacha/n sa *G^leann-chuallach.` = "`'S me/,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Bi/ '+do s^uidhe, a b^rathair,` arsa *Cathal, `no/ ni/ = t^iocfadh liom do c^ur amach da/ bh+fiachainn fe/in leis.` = "T^a/inig *Michea/l ani/os agus s^|ui|iu|dh se/, agus rinneadh = re/idh tra/th bidh do/. C^aith se/ an oidhche toigh *C^athail_= 'Ic_Nialluis agus rinne an b|h||eirt oidhche m^o/r c^omhra/idh." =

"D^eamhan gur s^i/othamhail na fir m^aithe sin," arsa = m'+athair, "an do/igh nach n-+aifeo/radh a'n f^ear aca a d^ath = ar an f^ear eile." = "Sin an c^uid a b'+f^ea/rr uilig daobhtha" arsa *Donnchadh. = "Nuair a b^i/ an troid thart b^i/ si/ thart agus b^i/odh siad = mar nach d+tiocfadh aon f^ocal eatarrtha ariamh. Ar = n+do/ighe an la/ a cruinnigheadh ar *M^ichea/l_Ruadh i m+*Baile-= an-teampuill, s^a/bhail *Ceallaigh_Mo/r e/ agus an b^eirt = i n-+diaidh a b^eith a' troid. Ma/ ta/, sin an c^liu/ fir a = b'+f^ea/rr a fuair se/ ariamh mar *M^ichea/l_Ruadh. Fear = millteanach a b^i/ i g+*Ceallaigh_M^o/r. B^i/ se/ fiche cloch = m^ea/dhchoin, agus chan bog feolmhar a b^i/ se/ ach lom = cruaidh cna/mhach. Agus ni/ rabh *Michea/l_Ruadh ariamh = os cionn t^ri/ g+cloch de/ag, ach go rabh se/ daingean. = Cluinfidh tu/. = "B^i/ *Michea/l ar m^argadh *B^aile-an-teampuill fa/ = c^oinne coirce, agus ar siocair cuid m^o/r a b^eith go = h-+olc do/ mar bi/thear da/ m^acasamhail i g+comhnuidhe, = b^i/odh claidheamh ar iomchur leis nuair a b^i/odh se/ i bh+fad = o/ b^aile. B^i/ si/ leis an la/ seo, agus ba e/ an a/it a rabh = si/ ar iomchur leis si/os le na sgoro/ig taobh istuigh de = n-+a b^ri/ste agus sreanga/n a crochadh as ceann de na = cnaipi/. = "C^eannuigh se/ d^a/+-+f^ichead cloch c^oirce ar an m^argadh = agus c^uir a' da/+-+f^ichead cloch isteach i ma/la amha/in. = Ni/ t^iocfadh leis fe/in cromadh ar siocair an c^laidhimh, = agus sgairt se/ amach go rabh ma/la coirce annseo = aige agus go d+tabharfadh se/ buidea/l uisce+-+beatha do+'n = f^ear a b^aiceo/ladh e/. Le sin t^a/inig buachaill brea/gh = anall fad leis. `Baiceo/laidh mise e/,` ar seisean. = `To/gaidh orm e/.` = "`Cha/ b^aiceo/lann,` arsa caili/n o/g a b^i/ ann. `No/ = smugacha/n ar bith a li/onfadh sac nach m+be/adh se/ fe/in = a/balta a b^aicea/il, ba m^aith an airidh air an be/al a = b^riseadh aige.` = "T^eann an buachaill ar a c^u/l." = "`Ni/l f^ios agam,` arsa *Michea/l, leis an c^aili/n, = `ce/ aca is tu/ deirbhshiu/r an f^ir o/ig seo no/ a b^ean. =

Ach is cuma,` ar seisean, ag tarraingt amach an = c^laidhimh. `Coinnigh seo domh+-+sa bomaite agus fiach-= aidh mise me/ fe/in leis an t-+sac.` = "Fuair an caili/n greim ar an c^laidheamh as a la/imh. = To/gadh an ma/la ar *M^ichea/l, agus leag se/ trasna e/ = ar d^ruim an b^eathaigh. Anall leis arais go dti/ an = caili/n agus b^eir se/ ar an c^laidheamh as a la/imh. `Ta/ = me/ buidheach duit,` ar seisean. `Da/ m+be/adh aithne = agam o/ t^u/s ar d^uine ar bith a b^e/arfadh aire do mo = c^laidheamh, ni/ iarrfainn ar d^uine ar bith mo s^ac a = b^aicea/il. Agus anois a c^aili/n maith,` ar seisean, = `Ni/ t^iocfainn+-+se go *Baile-an-teampaill agus sac = coirce a li/onadh ann mur' m+be/inn a/balta a iomchur. = Agus,` ar se||a|isean, `is lugha 'na/ mar sin a t^iocfainn = da/ m+be/adh f^ios agam go g+casfaidhe aon f^ear orm a = d+tiocfadh leis mo b^e/al a b^riseadh.` = "Le sin go di/reach t^a/inig an t-+o/ga/nach mo/r anall = go dti/ e/ agus b^uail bos sa t-+slinea/n air. = |`||Is mo/r+-+uchtamhail do b^olgam cainnte ar maidi/n,` = ar seisean. = "D'+amharc *Michea/l air. `Is tu/,` ar seisean, = `*Ceallaigh_Mo/r *B^aile-an-teampaill?` = "`B^eir siad an t-+ainm sin orm,` ars an fear eile|.|| = `An tusa *Michea/l_Ruadh_O/_Baoighill as na *Rosa?` = "`'S me/` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Is maith mar t^a/rluigh ar a c^e/ile sinn,` arsa = *Ceallaigh_Mo/r. `Is fada me/ ag e/isteacht go bh+fuil = tu/ a' ra/dh na/r buaileadh ariamh t^u/.` = "`Maise is fi/or domh,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Maith go leo/r, a c^ailleach,` arsa *Ceallaigh_Mo/r = `cha/ b^i/onn sin le ra/d|h|| ni/os fuide agat. Amach leat.` = "S^i/n *Michea/l an claidheamh arais ionnsair a' c^aili/n, = fuair greim ar an b^ata agus c^uaidh an b^eirt le c^e/ile = i la/r an aonaigh. An c^ead da/ le/ab a t^arraing siad = ar a c^e/ile b^i/ bata achan f^ir aca as la/imh an f^ir eile = leis. Agus an dara h-+uair b^i/ a b^ata fe/in le achan = f^ear arais. C^ruinnigh an t-+aonach. T^oisigh an greadadh. =

Agus ar feadh leath+-+uaire ni/ f^uair aon f^ear aca aon = b^uille ar an f^ear eile. Agus rith an ama ni/ t^ug = *Michea/l iarraidh ar bith air no/ gur leig se/ do *C^eallaigh = e/ fe/in a c^laoidh. Sa deireadh buailidh *Michea/l i g+cla/r = an e/adain e/, agus reath an f^uil isteach i n-+a s^u/ile. = Ni/ d^ea/rn seo ach tuilleadh mire a c^ur ar *C^eallaigh_M^o/r, = agus t^oisigh se/ a smi/ochta/il leis ar t^eann a d^ithchill = agus gan e/ ag coimhea/d goide/ b^i/ se/ a d^ea/namh. S^i/l = se/ gur c^eart do/ *Michea/l a c^laoidh le tre/an urraidh. = Sa deireadh t^o/g se/ i n-+a/irde a b^ata a' brath a t^eacht = anuas ar *M^ichea/l i mullaigh 'n c^inn. T^eann *Michea/l = coisce/im i leath+-+taobh agus t^uit an buille le na t^aobh. = Nuair a fuair *Michea/l cloigeann *C^eallaigh gan c^osnughadh = t^arraing se/ an bata o/ c^u/l a la/imhe, b^uail ar f^ad na = cluaise e/, agus s^i/n ar '+f^ad ar a' t-+sra/id e/. D'+e/irigh = se/ agus ni/ rabh ann ach go rabh se/ ar a c^osa nuair a = c^uir *Michea/l an bealach ce/adna e/. Dar le *Ceallaigh = is fea/rr domh breith isteach ort, agus c^aith se/ uaidh a = b^ata. C^aith *Michea/l uaidh a c^eann fe/in agus fuair = an b^eirt d^a/ g^reim ar a c^e/ile. B^eir *Michea/l thara = n-+a c^orp air, t^ug se/ thart le aon ru/chlaidh amha/in e/ agus = b^uail ar s^lait c^u/l a c^inn ar a' t-+sra/id e/. = "`An bh+fuil tu/ buailte anois?` ar seisean. = "`Ta/,` arsa *Ceallaigh. = "Le sin c^ruinnigh lucht an aonaigh a' brath gan a = leigin ar s^iubhal as a/it na m+bonn go m+buailtidhe a = s^a/ith air. Sgairt fear amha/in e/ a m^arbhadh. C|h||uaidh = *Ceallaigh_Mo/r i n-+a/irde ar t^o/in bairille a b^i/ ann. = `'+F^eara,` ar seisean, `e/istidh liom+-+sa. An bh+fuil = fear ar bith sa/sta *Michea/l_Ruadh a t^roid? Ma/ ta/, = seo '+am. Ach ni/ rachaidh an dara fear air. No/ ma/ = t^e/id be/idh mise annsin. Ta/ *Michea/l_Ruadh annseo i = bh+fad o/ n-+a c^a/irde, agus ba na/ireach le ra/dh e/ nach bh+fuair = se/ ceart fir i m+*Baile-an-teampaill.` = "Nuair a c^ualthas nach bh+fuigheadh cead a g^abha/il air = ach aon f^ear amha/in ar a s^eal, b^a/nuigh an t-+aonach si/os = siar. C^uaidh *Ceallaigh_Mo/r isteach 'un a t^oighe fe/in = agus ni/gh se/ an f^uil de fe/in. T^ug se/ isteach *Michea/l_= Ruadh agus t^ug biadh agus deoch do/ fe/in agus do n-+a =

b^ea/thach. Agus rinne a c^omo/radh cu/pla mi/le amach as = a' b^aile tra/thno/na. = "B^i/ se/ la/ eile '+gabha/il go *Leitirceanainn agus e/ a' = siubhal d^e '+c^ois. San am sin b^i/ *Tadhg_O/_Baoighill 'na = c^omhnuidhe ar an *Losaid agus ceathrar mac aige comh = brea/gh agus c^asfaidhe duit i siubhal lae. B^i/ *Conall_= T^aidhg gortha ar f^eara maithe |i|I|/ochtar na condae. Ni/ = rabh aithne ar bith ag *Baoigheallaigh na *Loisde ar *M^ichea/l_= Ruadh ce/ go rabh siad a' maoidhim|h|| gaoil air agus gur = m^inic a c^ualaidh siad iomra/dh air. Ach a' la/ seo ar = scor ar bith, goide/ a c^uaidh ach cliobo/g le *Tadhg_O/_= Baoighill i n-+di/g agus b^i/ *Ta||/|dhg agus a c^eathrar mac = thart fa/+'n c^liobo/ig ag iarraidh a tarraingt nuair a = nochtas *Michea/l_Ruadh chuca ani/os an bealach+-+mo/r. = Nuair a t^a/inig se/ go di/reach os coinne na di/ge s^easuigh = se/ a c^oimhea/d ortha. = "`Gabh anall annseo` arsa *Conall_T^aidhg, `agus = cuidigh linn an bea/thach a t^abhairt as an abar.` = "`O/, nar f^eicidh m'+anam fiadh` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh, = `ma/ t^e/ighim ar a' seiseadh fear indiu a t^arraingt = a' c^libisti/n sin.` Agus s^easuigh se/ san a/it a rabh se/. = "`Ma/ b^i/onn tu/ annsin,` arsa *Conall_T^aidhg, `nuair = a b^e/as an c^liobo/g amuigh againne, rachaidh tu/ fe/in sa = di/g i n-+a h-+a/it.` = "`Maise ni/ c^oro/chaidh me/ go m+bidh sibh re/idh,` arsa = *Michea/l_Ruadh. Agus s^easuigh se/ san a/it a rabh se/. = "`Cuirfidh mise sa di/g e/ i n-+a/it na cliobo/ige,` = arsa *Conall_T^aidhg. = "`Tabhair a d'+aire, a m^ic,` ars an t-+athair. `|||S+e/ = '+m^easaim nach bh+fuil an dara fear a s^easo/chadh annsin, = o/ seo go h-+i/ochtar na *Rosann ach *Michea/l_Ruadh. Agus = ma/+'s e/ *Michea/l_Ruadh ata/ ann, is tu/ '+rachas ins a' di/g.` = "Le sin anall le *Conall 'un a' b^ealaigh m^o/ir. `An = bh+fuil dochar domh ceist a c^ur ort c'+ainm t^u/?` ar = seisean. = "`Ni/l a d^ath,` ars an fear eile. `*Michea/l_O/_= Baoighill as na *Rosa me/. *Michea/l_Ruadh a b^eir siad = orm.` =

"I n-+a/it troid a c^ur air, cuireadh faradh na fa/ilte = roimhe, agus c^aith se/ d^a/ la/ agus d^a/ oidhche toigh *T^aidhg_= Ui/_B^aoighill ar a' *Losaoid.|"|| = "Seo d^uit do p^i/opa, '+*F^eidhlimidh," ars an seancaidhe = le m'+athair. = "Cad chuige nar c^aith tu/?" arsa m'+athair. = "C^aith me/ '+g+ceart," arsa *Donnchadh. "An g+cualaidh = tu/ ariamh fa/+'n la/+' b^uail se/ ceannuidhe na stocai/ ar an = *C^locha/n_Liath?" = "Char c^ualaidh," arsa m'+athair. = "Ta/," arsa *Donnchadh, "b^i/ aonach ar an *C^locha/n_Liath = fa/ Lughasna agus b^i/ ceannuidhe stocai/ as baile isteach = ann. San am sin ba g^na/thach le cuid ban na *Rosann = a b^eith '+dea/namh stocai/ margaidh. S^ni/omhadh siad a = g+cuid olna fe/in agus g^ni/odh siad stocai/ de+'n t-+sna/th = agus b^eireadh siad 'n+a' m^argaidh iad. Ba e/ a rabh = de g^le/as beatha ag cuid m^o/r aca e/. Ach b^i/ bean as = i/ochtar ti/re dar b^'+ainm *Cro/n, b^i/ sin ar an aonach agus = beairti/n de stocai/ i/ongantacha deasa le/ithe. C^uaidh = si/ f^ad leis an c^eannuidhe agus t^airg si/ a n-+di/ol leis. = "`Ca/ m^e/ad?` ars an ceannuidhe. = "`An oiread seo,` arsa *Cro/n. = "Ni/ d^ea/rn an ceannuidhe a d^ath ach an beairti/n a = c^aitheamh uaidh agus ca/ h-+a|/||it ar t^uit se/ ach isteach i = suinc la/ba/in a b^i/ ar t^aobh an b^ealaigh m^o/ir. C^uaidh = *Cro/n anonn agus t^o/g si/ amach na stocai/, fliuch ba/idhte = salach ca/idheach, agus b^ris an gol uirthi, nidh nach = i/ongnaidh, nuair a c^onnaic si/ saothar a bliadhna amudha = uirthi. S^iubhail si/ le/ithe amach *Cnoc-an-aonaigh a' = tarraingt ar an b^aile agus an beairti/n le/ithe. Ce/ = casadh uirthi ins an p^anc a' tarraingt isteach 'un = aonaigh agus a b^ata i g+cu/l a d^uirn leis ach *Michea/l_= Ruadh. = "`A *C^ro/n a t^aisgidh,` ar seisean, `goide/ ta/ ort?` = "`Ta/,` ar sise, `mo s^aothar samhraidh amudha = orm,` ag toiseacht 's ag innse do/. =

"`Pill arais annseo,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh. = "P^ill. C^uaidh siad 'na m+beirt suas go leath+-+la/r = na sra/ide an a/it a rabh an ceannuidhe, agus sgaifte = ban thart air a' di/ol a g+cuid fo/ghainte leis. = "`Goide/ t^ug ort,` arsa *Michea/l leis, `cuid stocai/ = na mna/ seo '+c^ur o/ m^argadh? Cad chuige, ma/ ba daor = leat iad nar leig tu/ an bealach di/the fe/in agus daobhtha = fe/in?` = "Ni/or leig an ceannuidhe air fe/in go rabh se/ ag = e/isteacht leis. = "`'+G+cluin tu/ me/, a g^iolla thuas?` arsa *Michea/l. = `Tabhair luach a cuid stocai/ don m^naoi o/ t^a/rla gur = c^uir tu/ o/ m^argadh iad. Glac mo c^omhairle+-+sa.` = "Ni/or labhair an ceannuidhe. T^eann *Michea/l ani/os = leis. `Mur n+glacaidh tu/ comhairle,` ar seisean, = `glacfaidh tu/ co/mhrac,` a' tarraingt a' b^ata 's a = b^ualadh ar f^ad an leicinn. T^uit an ceannuidhe ar a' = t-+sra/id, dearg i n-+a c^uid fola. = "`An g+ceanno/chaidh tu/ anois iad?` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Ceanno/chad` ars an ceannuidhe. = "`Ca/ m^e/ad ata/ tu/ a iarraidh ortha?` arsa *Michea/l = le *Cro/n. = "`An oiread seo,` ar sise. = "`Cunntais anall an t-+airgead chuici/` arsa *Michea/l. = "C^unntais. = "`Beir ar na stocai/ anois,` ar seisean. = "B^eir. = "`Anois,` ar seisean, `sa/ith si/os iad go to/in an = p^aca i g+cuideachta na codach eile.` = "`Nach si/lfea/ gur c^uma duit goide/ d^ea/nfainn leo = nuair a t^ug me/ a luach ortha,` ars an ceannuidhe. = "`Ta/ me/ '+g^eall ar do c^ur sa c^ruth 's nach n+dea/n = tu/ a leithid a choidhche ari/s ar aonach ins na *Rosa,` arsa = *Michea/l. `Sa/ith si/os go to/in a' p^aca iad.` = "S^a/ith." =

"Ba deas a m^argadh comhairle a g^lacadh ar tu/s," = arsa m'+athair. = "Agus nar d^eas mar d^ubhairt *Michea/l e/," arsa mo = m^athair. "`Mur' n+glacaidh tu/ co/mhairle glacfaidh = tu/ co/mhrac.`" = "M'+anam maise gur sin buaidh eile a b^i/ aige," arsa = *Donnchadh. "Ni/or t^roid se/ aon c^ath ariamh gan rud = e/ighinteacht a ra/dh fa/ d+taobh de a m+be/adh cuimhne air = le n-+a linn. Ar n+do/ighe an la/ b^uail se/ an *Bulaidh_= 'Ac_Aodh' fe/in, dubhairt se/ gur sin `gni/om|h|| fir ar a|'|| = *C^oitcheann.`" = "Goide/ fa/ d+taobh de sin, a *D^onnchaidh?" arsa = m'+athair. = "Ta/," arsa *Donnchadh, "b^i/ la/ tra/igh c^orr thi/os annseo = agus b^i/ sgaifte mo/r cruinn ann. B^i/ dea/rbhrathair = de *M^ichea/l_Ruadh ann agus gan e/ ach eadar a b^eith 'na = g^asu/r agus 'na sto/cach. Goide/ a fuair se/ ach brada/n = istuigh ar c^eann de na loichea/in agus siud 'na d^iaidh e/. = T^ug an *Bulaidh_'Ac_Aodh' as *Gaoth-dobhair - b^i/ se/ sa = tra/igh - t^ug sin iarraidh ar an b^rada/n fosta. B^eir = se/ air agus c^oinnigh se/ e/. = "`Liom+-+sa an brada/n sin,` ars an gasu/r. = "`Goide/ b^e/arfadh gur leat+-+sa e/?` ars an fear = eile. = "Dubhairt an gasu/r gur b^'+e/ fe/in a c^onnaic e/ agus = go m+beirfeadh se/ air fosta da/ bh+fanadh an fear eile = uaidh. `Agus,` ar seisean, `tabhair domh an brada/n = no/ be/idh daor ort.` = "`A/, mar siud 's mar seo,` arsa *Mac_Aodh|'||,||"| `ma/ = ta/ 'n f^ear maoidhte ort a bh+fuil eagla orm+-+sa roimhe.` = "Do b^ri/gh de, b^i/ an *Bulaidh_'Ac_Aodh' e/ fe/in da/na = go maith, a leitheid de f^ocal a ra/dh i d+tra/igh *Rann-na-= feirsde. C^uaidh an gasu/r 'n+a' b^aile agus ni/ rabh = istuigh ach an t-+sean+-+la/namhain. D'+innis se/ daobhtha = goide/ a b^ain de. = "`Aru/ mar athchuinge ort,` ars an m^athair, `na/ = labhair ar sin os coinne *M^ichea/il, no/ ni/ d^ea/nfaidh tu/ = ach tuilleadh bruighne a c^ur 'na suidhe.` =

"`Labharfaidh me/ air, maise,` ars an gasu/r. = "Agus labhair. '+Teacht do *M^ichea/l d'+innis an = gasu/r sge/al an b^rada/in do/. Ni/or leig *Michea/l air = fe/in ta/ tu/ ag cainnt no/ ni/l. Ni/or d^ubhairt se/ 's maith = no/ 's olc go d+ta/inig maidi/n Dia Domhnaigh, agus = g^l|e/a|ea/|s se/ e/ fe/in fa/ c^oinne siubhail. S^i/l a m^uinntir = ar n+do/ighe gur go h-+Aifreann *C^eann-caslach a b^i/ se/ = a' gabha/il. Nuair a b^i/ *Michea/l re/idh b^eir se/ ar a b^ata = agus amach ar an doras leis. C^uaidh a m^athair amach = 'na d^iaidh agus i n-+a/it a b^eith a|'|| gabha/il siar a' tarraingt = ar *C^eann-caslach, b^i/ se/ ar s^iubhal soir ag *Tom-na-= haitinighe a' tarraingt ar f^earrsaid *G^aoth-dobhair. = P^ill si/ 'un+' toighe. = "`Ta/ se/ ar s^iubhal soir ag tarraingt ar f^earrsaid = na *Cloiche-duibhe,` ars an m^athair. = "`Goide/ dubhairt tu/?` ars an t-+athair. = "`Ta/,` ar sise. = "`Ta/, ta/ se/ ar s^iubhal go *Gaoth-dobhair a c^ur troda = ar a' *B^ulaidh_'Ac_Aodh|'||,` ars an t-+athair, `agus g^eobhaidh = se/ a s^a/ith indiu/ 's gan aige ach e/ fe/in.` = "B^i/ go maith, b^ain *Michea/l teach+-+a|'||+-+p^obail amach agus = d'+e/ist se/ an t-+Aifreann. '+Teacht amach do/, s^easuigh se/ = taobh amuigh de d^oras t^each+-+a+-+p^obail. Ni/ rabh aithne ar = bith aige ar an *B^ulaidh. Ar seisean le fear a b^i/ ann, = `Ta/ fear sa p^obal seo ar m^aith liom labhairt leis = agus ni/l aithne agam air.` = "`C'+ainm e/,` ars an fear eile. = "`Maise,` arsa *Michea/l, `ni/l f^ios agam cad is = ainm baiste do/. De *C^loinn_'Ic_Aodh' e/. *Bulaidh||.|_= 'Ac_Aodh' a b^eir siad mar leas+-+ainm air.` = "`Sin a d+tugtar de ainm air annseo,` ars an = fear eile, `agus,` ar seisean, a' si/neadh a m^e/ir ionns = air, `sin thall e/.` = "`Ta/ me/ buidheach duit,` arsa *Michea/l agus c^oinnigh = se/ a s^u/il ar an *B^ulaidh gur imthigh se/ a' tarraingt ar = an b^aile. '+Gabha/il suas a' m^alaidh do/ taobh thoir de = t^each+-+a|'||+-+p^obail, t^a/inig *Michea/l ani/os f^ad leis, t^arraing =

a' bata air agus rinne ceirthli/n de i la/r a' b^ealaigh = m^o/ir. `Sin,` ar seisean, `gni/omh fir ar a|'|| *C^oitcheann: = *Bulaidh_'Ac_Aodh|'|| 'na b^loc.` = "A d^ea/rbhrathair a bh+fuil m'+anam ionnat, s^i/n na = scaiteacha si/os an m^alaidh, *Michea/l a' teicheadh agus = leath a' p^obail 'na d^iaidh. Ni/ rabh droichead ar bith = an uair sin ar an abhainn ata/ faoi t^each+-+a|'||+-+p^obail. = Nuair a t^a/inig *Michea/l go bruach na h-+abhanna c^uaidh = se/ de le/im trasna agus as go bra/thach leis.|"|| = "Ba m^o/r+-+uchtamhail an gni/omh e/ i b+pobal c^oimhthigheach," = arsa m'+athair. = "A d^uine," arsa *Donnchadh, "mur' d+te/igheadh siad a = c^aitheamh cloch air, ni/ bh+fuigheadh oiread aca go dti/ e/ = agus d^ea/nfadh dochar do/. T^a/inig cu/igear fear air = agus batai/ leo la/ amha/in thall annsin ar a' *Tra/igh_= B^a/in, agus b^uail se/ an cu/igear i g+cuideachta a c^e/ile. = 'S cosamhail gur b^uail *Michea/l a n-+athair i m+bruighin = e/ighinteacht a d'+e/irigh fa/ aonach a|'|| *C^locha/in_Le/ith bliadhain = roimh sin agus b^i/ na fir o/ga fa/ n-+a c^oinne. Clann = *S^e/arluis_'Ic_Murachaidh as a|'|| *B|h||raghaid ata/ me/ ra/dh. = Ach an la/ seo c^onnaic siad a' teacht aniar an tra/igh e/ = agus gan leis ach e/ fe/in, agus amach roimhe leis an = c^u/igir a' brath a s^a/ith a b^ualadh air. Nuair a t^a/inig = siad fa/ f^ad cainnte do/ c^uir siad troid air. = "D'+amharc *Michea/l ortha. `Cinnte, a f^eara brea/ghtha = muinteardha,` ar seisean - b^i/ a mathair agus e/ fe/in = gaolmhar - `chan cu/igear agaibh a rachadh a c^ur troda = ar s^eanduine mar mise, i n-+deireadh mo s^aoghail 's = mo laethe feasta '+choidhche?` = "Dubhairt siad+-+san gur b^uail se/ a n-+athair agus = go m+be/adh cu/itiughadh aca. Agus t^ug siad iarraidh = air. T^oisigh an troid. Ni/or b^'+f^ada go rabh an cu/igear = 'na luighe ar a' tra/igh ag *Michea/l agus nuair a b^e/arfadh = fear aca iarraidh e/irghe i g+comhnuidhe b^uailfeadh *Michea/l = smiti/n den b^ata air, no/ gur b^uail se/ leithead a = g+craicinn ar an iomla/n aca. Ni/or b^'+f^ada go d+ta/inig = fear aca un a' toighe agus e/ dearg i n-+a c^uid fola. = "`Goide/ t^a/inig ort a ru/n,` ars an t-+athair. =

"`*Michea/l_Ruadh,` ar seisean, `a b^uail me/.` = "`Bhail, a m^ic,` ars an t-+athair, `chan locht sin ort, = no/ 's+iomdha fear a b'+f^ea/rr 'na/ t^u/ a b^uail *Michea/l_= Ruadh.` = "Le sin t^a/inig an dara mac isteach buailte. = "`An e/ *Michea/l_Ruadh a b^uail t^usa fosta?` ars = an seanduine. = "`'S+e/,` ars an mac. = "`Tchi/m go bh+fuil sracadh go fo/ill ann,` ars an = t-+athair. = "Le sin t^a/inig an triu/r eile isteach agus iad millte = gea/rrtha. D'+amharc an t-+athair ortha. `An e/ *Michea/l_= Ruadh,` ar seisean, `a b^uail uilig sibh?` = "Dubhairt siad+-+san gur b^'+e/. = "`A/ mur n'+anam na/ rabh ag an diabhal,` ars an = t-+athair, `d^iu/il sibh an c^i/och lochtach. D'+imir sibh da/imh = gaoil leis agus ni/or imir seisean da/imh ar bith libh+-+se.` = "`O/, '+athair,` arsa fear aca, `chan a g^eall ar = da/imh a imirt leis a c^uamar a b^aint e/iric as. Ach = b^uailfeadh se/ ar n-+oiread eile. B^i/ a c^loigeann comh = cumhduighthe aige 's da/ m+bi/odh si/ istuigh faoi b^e/al pota. = D^eamhan buille a g^eobhamuis air is bi/mis a' gabha/il = do/ go maidi/n.`|"|| = "Ba m^illteanach an gni/omh e/," arsa m'+athair, "a ra/dh = 's de gur b^uail fear amha/in ar bith cu/igear." = "Maise," arsa *Donnchadh, "rinne se/ gni/omh a b'+e/ifeachtaighe = 'na/ sin la/ amha/in ar a' *C^locha/n_Liath. Ba e/ an rud a = t^o/g e/, to/rramh a b^i/ la/ amha/in i d+*Teampall-cro/na. = B'+ann a c^uirtidhe muinntir a' da/ p^obal san am. Ni/ = rabh roilig ar bith i g+*Ceann-caslach no/ 'n c^eann ar a' = *C^locha/n_Liath ach oiread. B^i/ sgaifte mo/r fear ar an = to/rramh. Ni/l f^ios agam anois leisg bre/ag a d^ea/namh = ce/ b^i/thear a c^ur. Ach ar scor a' bith b^i/ cloch sa b^allo/ig = a b^i/odh ag coinnea/il uisce c^oisrioctha nuair a b^i/ an = teampall i n-+u/sa/id, agus b^i/odh cuid m^o/r de na fir = ag iarraidh a to/ga/il ach is beag fear a d+tiocfadh = leis a corughadh o/+'n talamh. B^i/ na fir cruinn thart =

ar a' c^loich an la/ seo, cuid a b^eir uirthi agus leig = amach ari/s i/ agus cuid eile a t^o/g o/rlach o/ t^alamh i/. = B^i/ fear amha/in as taobh amuigh de s^liabh ann, de d^iu/lach = m^o/r alpardha. Fuair seisean greim uirthi agus t^o/g = se/ ani/os go dti/ n-+a d^a/ g^lu/n i/. = "`Sin,` ar seisean, `dubhshla/n aon f^ir ar to/gadh = ariamh i n-+I/ochtar+-+ti/re.` = "Ce/ b^i/ ag e/isteacht leis ach *Michea/l_Ruadh.||"| C^uaidh = se/ anonn go dti/ an c^loch. `Seasaidh 'mach,` ar seisean, = ag breith ar an c^loich. B^i/ fuinneo/g ann a rachadh a = h-+i/ochtar go dti/ an brollach ar f^ear. Fuair *Michea/l_= Ruadh greim ar an c^loich, t^o/g o/+'n talamh le 'n ru/chladh = amha/in i/, agus d'+f^a/g 'na suidhe i n-+a/irde san f^uinneo/ig = i/. `Sin,` ar seisean, `dubhshla/n aon spailpi/n da/r = o/l bainne+-+ci/och fa/ s^le/ibhte ariamh.` = "C^ruinnigh na fir thart air. G^oill an focal ortha. = Ach amach le *Michea/l ar an re/idhteach agus d'+iarr se/ = ar f^ear ar bith da/r m^ian leis a t^eacht amach leis. Ni/ = rachadh fear ar bith leis. = "Nuair a c^uaidh bunadh na sle/ibhteach 'n+a' b^aile = agus d'+innis siad goide/ mar b^i/, b^i/ mi/+-+s^a/sadh mo/r = leis a' c^ainnt a dubhairt *Michea/l_Ruadh i d+*Teampall_= Cro/na. Dubhairt fear amha/in an c^e/ad la/ aonaigh a = t^iocfadh se/ 'n+a' *C^locha/in_Le/ith gur c^eart asnacha = tinne a f^a/ga/il aige. Dubhairt duine eile nar b^'+f^urast = sin a d^ea/namh leis an f^ear a c^ur an c^loch u/d i n-+a/irde = san f^uinneo/ig. Dubhairt an tri/omhadh fear mur = m+buaileadh beirt e/ go m+buailfeadh triu/r e/. Ba e/ = an deireadh a b^i/ ar an sge/al go dea/rnadh amach seachtar = de na fir a b'+f^ea/rr sna sle/ibhte a g^abha/il 'n+a' *C^locha/in_= Le/ith an t-+aonach sin a b^i/ chuca agus da/ m+be/adh *Michea/l_= Ruadh annsin leithead a c^raicinn a b^ualadh air. = "B^i/odh *Michea/l ar achan aonach. T^a/inig maidi/n an = lae. Fuair *Michea/l greim ar a b^ata agus s^iubhail = leis. B^i/ muinntir na sle/ibhteach istuigh go luath agus = iad 'na seasamh ar b^ruach na h-+abhanna an taobh seo i = bh+fos - ni/ rabh droichead ar bith ar abhainn an *C^locha/in_= Le/ith san am - agus a g+cuid batai/ leo fa/ c^oinne =

toiseacht ar *M^ichea/l nuair a t^iocfadh se/ 'un tosaigh. = C^onnaic lucht an aonaigh an seachtar fear ag spais-= deo/racht aniar agus siar a c^ois na h-+abhanna agus a = g+cuid batai/ leo, agus iad ag amharc soir anois agus = ari/s mar b^e/adh siad ag feitheamh le duine no/ daoine = e/ighinteacht a t^eacht anoir. = "C^uaidh an sge/ala amach fri/d an aonach gur le *Michea/l_= Ruadh a b^i/thear a' feitheamh. Agus ce/ b^i/ ar an aonach = ach *Cro/n, a rabh beairti/n na stocai/ le/ithe an la/ b^uail = *Michea/l an ceannuidhe. Dia, c^ualaidh sise gur le = *Michea/l a b^i/thear ag fanacht. Siud si/os i/ agus trasna = an clocha/n, fiacha/il a|'|| g+casfaidhe *Michea/l uirthi/, go = n-+innseadh si/ do/ goide/ b^i/ fa/ n-+a c^oinne da/ d+te/igheadh = se/ isteach 'un '+aonaigh. Casadh uirthi/ ag *Pa/irc-na-= dtomo/g-a/rd e/, a b^ata faoi n'+asgaill, agus cuaifi/n = ceoil thuas aige. = "`Dia duit a *C^ro/n,` ar seisean. `An bh+fuil = ceannuidhe eile le bualadh indiu agam?` = "`Ni/l,` ar sise, `ach t^a/inig me/ in d'+arraicis go = n-+iarrainn ort pilleadh 'n+a' b^aile. Ta/ seachtar fear, = agus seacht m+bata aca, ar a' *C^locha/n_Liath ag fanacht = le tu/ '+g^abha/il isteach go m+buailidh siad t^u/.` = "`Rachaidh me/ giota eile go bh+feicidh me/ iad,` arsa = *Michea/l_Ruadh. = "`A ru/n,` arsa *Cro/n, `seachnuigheann su/il nidh = nach bh+feiceann. I n-+ainm De/, pill 'n+a' b^aile.` = "`Ta/ do t^eachtaireacht+-+sa dea/nta,` arsa *Michea/l, = `agus ta/ mise i/ongantach buidheach duit. Ach rachaidh = me/ giota beag eile.` = "S^iubhail leis. Nuair a d'+a/irdigh se/ *Cnoc-an-= aonaigh c^onnaic se/ na fir thi/os ag an abhainn mar d'+innis = *Cro/n do/. Si/os leis go rabh se/ ag n-+a d+taobh. D^roid = beirt aca anall leis gan focal a labhairt agus t^ug = iarraidh b^uailte air. I bh+faiteadh na su/l b^i/ an b^eirt = 'na luighe aige le d^a/ b^uille. Nuair a c^onnaic an = c^uid eile goide/ comh h-+achmuir agus buaileadh an = b^eirt a c^uaidh 'un spa/irne leis, sga/nruigh achan f^ear = go m+be/adh se/ fe/in a g^eall leis. Agus goide/ rinne =

siad ach iarraidh a t^abhairt teicheadh trasna na h-+abhanna. = Nuair a fuair *Michea/l ag gabha/il anonn roimhe an = clocha/n iad lean se/ iad, agus b^uail se/ fear i n+diaidh = an f^ir eile aca i g+cu/l a' c^inn gur f^a/g se/ 'na luighe san = abhainn iad agus gur s^iubhal trasna ortha de c^osa = trioma." = "Tionnto/igh thart, a *D^onnchaidh go n-+ithidh tu/ prea/ta" = arsa mo m^athair ag teacht chuige le goga/n bainne = ramhair. = |"||Ni/ d^ea/rn me/ ach siubhal o/ b^i/ me/ 'g ithe," arsa = *Donnchadh. = "Seo seo," arsa m'+athair, "ith greim a c^uideo/chas = leat go h-+am+-+luighe." = S^uidh *Donnchadh agus m'+athair isteach ag an ta/bla = agus sinne agus mo m^athair thart fa b^aisgaid a c^ois = na teineadh. = "'S maith tirim na prea/tai/ ata/ agat, '+*F^eidhlimidh" = ar seisean. = "Ta/", arsa m'+athair, "sin rudai/ a d'+f^a/s ar t^alamh = gainimh." = "'S ar a' g^ainimh fe/in a b^e/adh na prea/tai/ maithe," = arsa *Donnchadh. "|'||Nois d'+i/osfa/ do s^a/ith aca sin tur = tirim, chan ionann sin agus na prea/tai/ uisceamhla a = f^a/sas ar c^adhara/n b^a/rr a' b^aile. Goide/ an cinea/l = prea/tai/ iad, '+*F^eidhlimidh?" = "Ta/, Scoits D^earga," arsa m'+athair. = "S^i/l me/ gur b^'+f^ada reaithte as cinea/l iad," arsa = *Donnchadh, "no/ is maith an tamall o/ t^a/inig siad 'na = ti/re." = "Creidim gur maith, a *D^onnchaidh." = "Is maith leoga. Gra/sta o/ D^ia ar na mairbh, *Michea/l_= Anna_Mo/ire a t^ug anall as *Teach-a'-mhadaidh-dhuibh = iad bliadhain an f^o/ghmhair m^aith. Goide/ mar c^uaidh = agat+-+sa a g+coinnea/il i g+cinea/l an fad seo?" = "Ta/," arsa m'+athair, "a/thruighim iad 'ach dara b^liadhain = eadar an gainimh agus an dumasach." =

"Go m+buanaidh Dia fairrsingeach bidh agaibh," arsa = *Donnchadh, nuair a b^i/ a c^uid dea/nta. = "Ame/n agus d'+achan d^uine 'a/ n-+iarrfaidh du/inn e/," = arsa mo m^athair. = "Seo d^uit agus dearg e/ seo," arsa m'+athair ag = si/neadh a p^i/opa chuig *Donnchadh. = |"||Ta/ muid bruithte ag gabha/il do/," arsa *Donnchadh. = "Seo, dearg e/. 'S+e/ a bh+fuil de c^inea/l againn e/ le = dea/namh ar an te/ a t^iocfas 'un '+toighe." = B^eir *Donnchadh ar an p^i/opa. T^o/g se/ aibhleo/g as = an teinidh agus c^uir se/ cupla se/ideo/g uirthi/. = "An g+cuala tu/ ariamh," ar seisean, ag fa/ga/il si/os = an m^aide, |"||iomra/dh ar an la/ a c^uir se/ troid ar *M^o/sai/_= M^ac_a|'|_To/ighir thi/os annseo ar an a/rd os cionn loch a' = *C^airn-bhuidhe?" = "Ta/ mar b^e/adh mear+-+c^uimhne agam go g+cualaidh = me/ na seandaoini/ a' cainnt ar an la/ sin," arsa m'+athair." = "Ach ta/ dearmad dea/nta agam de." = "Ta/," arsa *Donnchadh nuair a b^i/ an pi/opa dearg = aige, "b^i/ beiric s^aighdiu/ir thi/os annseo ar a' *P^oinnte = aon uair amha/in. Sin an teach go fo/ill an |a/i|ai/|t a bh+fuil = an sgoil ag na h-+Alb||h|anaigh anois. B^i/ bealach+-+mo/r = da/ d^ea/namh ar an *P^oinnte san am agus sgaifte mo/r = fear ag obair air, agus ba e/ an di/olaidheacht a g^eibheadh = siad cloch m^ine buidhe sa t-+seachtmhain. Cinea/l de = oifigeach saighdiu/ir a b^i/ i *Mo/sai/_M^ac_a'_To/ighir seo, = agus ba e/ a b^i/ ag amharc os cionn an b^ealaigh+-+m^o/|i||r. = B^i/ fear beag as *Mullach-dubh, - agus Albanach a b^i/ = ann, a t^a/inig 'na ti/re tamall roimh sin - b^i/ sin ag = obair ar a' b^ealach+-+m^o/r, agus ce/ bith a rinne se/ as = casa/n b^uail *Mo/sai/ ciac air. `B^uail tu/ mise,` ars = an t-+Albanach, `cionn's gur Albanach me/. Agus is = dona an da/imh duit e/ '+imirt le fear de do c^inea/l = fe/in. Ach ni/ leigfeadh an eagla duit fear de na Gaedhil = a b^ualadh no/ b^e/adh f^ios agat go m+bainfidhe e/iric||h| asat.` = "`A/, d^eamhan fear sna *Rosa, 'na G^aedheal no/ 'na = G^all e/,` arsa *Mo/sai/, `nach m+buailfinn+-+se.` =

"Ni/or labhair aon d^uine. Ce/ b^i/ ag gabha/il thart = agus c^onnaic an t-+iomla/n ach *Ma/nus_Mo/r_O/_Cuirea/in = as an *Du/n-mho/r. Folado/ir a b^i/ ann mar *M^a/nus = agus ba e/ an siubha||i|l a b^i/ faoi ag tarraingt go *Loch-= an-Iubhair go sgaoileadh se/ cuisle ag *Donnchadh_O/g a = b^i/ 'na luighe '+n-+aicid na sgamha/n. B^i/ *Ma/nus e/ fe/in = ainmnighthe i measg na bh+fear maith, ach 'na d^iaidh sin = ni/ rabh uchtach aige troid a c^ur ar *M^o/sai/. Ar a t^eacht = isteach thuas toighe *D^onnchaidh_O/ig i *Loch-an-Iubhair do/, = ce/ b^i/ istuigh ach *Michea/l_Ruadh ag amharc ar an f^ear = a b^i/ 'na luighe. D'+innis *Ma/nus an me/id a c^onnaic = se/ agus a c^ualaidh se/. = "`Is maith do/ fe/in nach Gaedheal a b^uail se/,` arsa = *Ma/nus. `No/ da/ m+ba e/, c^uirfinn+-+se||/| troid air.` = "`Agus damnughadh nar t^igidh ar an p^e/ist c^a/idhigh,` = arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh, `nar m^o/r an croidhe do/ cre/atu/r = lag a b^ualadh cionn's gur b^'+Albanach e/ agus gur m^eas = se/ nach rabh aon d^uine le cu/itiughadh a b^aint as. Ce/ = uilig a b^i/ ann?` ar seisean. = "D'+ainmnigh *Ma/nus na fir m^aithe uilig agus ni/or = labhair se/ ar d^earbhrathair de *M^ichea/l_Ruadh a b^i/ ann. = G^oill seo ar *M^ichea/l. = "`An rabh *Eoghan 's againne annsin?` ar seisean. = "`B^i/ se/ annsiud comh maith le fear,` arsa *Ma/nus = `agus ma/ b^i/ fe/in ni/or labhair se/.` = "`Dia, dona e/,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh. = "`B'+f^e/idir,` arsa *Ma/nus, `da/ m+beithea/ t^usa = annsin fosta go leigfea/ thara do c^luais an sge/al.|`|| = "`A/, b^eirim do c^orp do+n diabhal,` arsa *Michea/l. = `Goide/ an fa/th a n-+abo/rtha/ go m+be/adh eagla orm+sa = roimh aon f^ear sa da/ p^obal? Da/ m+bi/nn+-+se/ annsin, a = *M^a/nuis,` ar seisean, `c^uirfinn troid ar *M^o/sai/_= M^ac_a|'||_Toighir agus b^uailfinn e/ fe/in agus tusa 'na = d^iaidh - as do c^uid cainnte.` = "`I n-+ono/ir De/ leat, a *M^ichea/il,` arsa bean a toighe, = `agus na/ cuir an fear fri/d a c^e/ile agus e/ '+gabha/il a = b^aint amach fola.` =

"Ni/ d^ea/rn *Michea/l ach breith ar a b^ata agus a g^abha/il = a le/im amach ar a' doras. B^i/ a g^earra/n diallaide = taobh amuigh de+n teach. C^uaidh se/ '+le/im ar a d^ruim = agus d'+imthigh leis ar steallaigh cosa i n-+a/irde, agus = ni/or stad go d+ta/inig se/ 'na *C^airn-bhuidhe tra/thno/na, = tamall beag sul ar stad na h-+oibridheannai/ a b^i/ ag = dea/namh an b^ealaigh+-+m^o/ir. T^a/inig se/ anuas de+'n = g^earra/n, c^eangail do c^loich e/, agus c^uir troid ar = *M^o/sai/_M^ac_a|'||_To/ighir. Agus rachadh *Mo/sai/ leis ceart = go leor, ach nuair a c^onnaic a b^ean ce/ b^i/ ann, c^uir si/ = a da/ la/imh thar n-+a c^orp agus ni/ leigfeadh si/ amach e/. = "`Leig amach me/, a b^ean,` ar seisean. = "`Cha/ leigim,` ar sise. `Mairbhfidh an fear sin = t^u/ ma/ t^e/id tu/ leis.|`|| = "`Cha/ m^arbhann,` arsa *Mo/sai/. `Leig amach me/.` = "`Mairbhfidh` ar sise. `Is cuimhneach liom+-+sa an = la/ a t^o/g m'+athair an ga/rradh mo/r sin thiar.` (Nighean = de *G^a/n a b^i/ innti/+-+se). `B^i/ oiread fear cruinn ann = agus nach bh+fuair achan f^ear ach d^a/ g^loine as ceig = d^eich n+galu/n uisce+-+b^eatha. Agus ni/ rabh fear ar bith = ann a b^i/ leath ion+-+c^urtha leis an f^ear sin. Mairbhfidh = se/ t^u/ gan b^re/ig ma/ t^e/id tu/ leis.` = "B^uail eagla *Mo/sai/ agus ni/ rachadh se/ amach. B^i/ = oifigeach beag eile ann, de d^iu/lach b^eag e/adhtrom = e/idhtreo/rach, agus steall seisean ar mire cionn's nach = rachadh *Mo/sai/ amach le *Michea/l_Ruadh. T^a/inig se/ fe/in = anuas go dti/ *Michea/l agus fuair greim ar a b^ata, = a' brath a t^arraingt as a la/imh. = "`Leig amach mo b^ata agus na/ bi/odh fiachadh orm = do g^ortughadh,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh. = "Ni/ leigfeadh. = "`Nanach g+cualaidh tu/ ariamh,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh, `gur = minic a loit bea/thach a/llta bea/thach uasal. Leig amach = an bata.` = "Ni/ leigfeadh. = "Le sin c^as *Michea/l an bata amach as a la/mha. `Da/ = m+b'+f^iu/ liom a d^ea/namh, a m^a/rla b^radaigh,` ar seisean, =

`rannfainn do c^eithre cna/mha ar a c^e/ile. No/ d^eamhan = fear o/ *Innis_Eoghain 'na g+*Ceall nach m+buailfinn+-+se = ach *Sea/n_Anna.`" = "Agus a *D^onnchaidh, ce/+'r b^e/ *Sea/n_Anna?" arsa = m'+athair. = "Ta/," arsa *Donnchadh, "diu/lach a b^i/ thiar annseo i = *Mullach-dearg a b^i/ i n'+am fe/in ar an f^ear a b|'||fhea/rr = sna tri/ p^obal. Ach b^i/ se/ anois i g+cionn a c^eithre = sgo/r agus corradh bliadhantach, agus e/ ag tuitim ar a = b^ata. Agus an Domhnach 'na d^iaidh sin nuair a b^i/ se/ = ag teacht aniar 'n+a' b^aile o/ Aifreann *C^eann-caslach, = amach roimhe le *Sea/n_Anna agus t^ug cuireadh 'un+' = toighe do/. B^i/ ca/rta uisce+-+b^eatha aige fa/ n-+a c^oinne. = `A *M^ichea/il_Ruaidh,` ar seisean, `c^uir se/ bro/d agus = luthgha/ir orm gur t^o/g tu/ as measg na bh+fear me/ sul = ar c^uir tu/ troid ortha.` = "`B^i/ tu/ la/ de do laethe agus c^aithfinn do t^o/ga/il = asta,` arsa *Michea/l, `agus b^e/adh se/ mo/r agam sin a = s^e/anadh anois cionn's tu/ a b^eith aosta.`" = "D^eamhan gur d^eas an rud do/ a g^ab|h||a/il i leith an = Albanaigh" arsa mo m^athair. = "O/, ba c^uma goide/ rud e/," arsa *Donnchadh, "ach = *Michea/l a s^i/lstin go rabhthar a' suidhe i n-+a b^un agus = gan a c^osnughadh fe/in ann. Rachadh se/ i leith an f^ir = nach bh+facaidh se/ ariamh a roimhe ach e/ a s^i/lstin go rabhthar = a' dea/namh e/agco/ra air. Agus rachadh se/ i n-+e/adan = S^agart na paroiste ach e/ '+m^eas go rabh an sagart = sa c^earr. T^roideadh se/ fe/in agus na sagairt cuid = m^o/r, agus ce/ bith ba c^iall daobhtha, b^i/ siad uilig go = maith do/, fri/d a' t-+su/ithche. = "B^i/ sagart sa p^obal seo aon uair amha/in a d+tugadh = siad an *Sagart_Ruadh air. Fear da/na dolba a b^i/ = ann ar m^aith leis a c^o/mhairle fe/in a f^a/ghail. An C^a/isc = i n+diaidh e/ t^eacht 'na p^obail b^i/ se/ ar e/isteacht i *Rann-= na-feirsde. Thuas annseo toigh *Eoghain_Ui/_B^aoighill = a b^i/ na &Stations&, agus ins an am sin ni/ b^i/odh e/isteacht = ach d^a/ uair sa b^liadhain ann, agus an la/ seo b^i/ sgaifte = mo/r cruinn toigh *Eoghain_Ui/_B^aoighill. B^i/ siad = ann, aosta agus o/g, agus ce/ be/ nach rabh ann b^i/ *Michea/l_= Ruadh ann. =

"B^i/ an *Sagart_Ruadh 'na s^uidhe sa t-+seomra ag = e/isteacht agus b^i/ sgaifte thart fa/+'n doras ag bru/ghadh = a c^e/ile ag iarraidh a g^abha/il suas. B^i/ sgaifte taois = o/ig ann agus b^i/ sean m^na/ aosta ciorthamacha ann = agus cuid aca costa/rnocht. Da/ b^righ de, ni/ rabh bro/ga = comh fairrsing an uair sin agus ta/ siad anois. Ach = b^i/ cuid den taos o/g ag brughadh agus ag baint na = g+cos de na sean+-+m^na/, agus e/ 'na c^uid c^uideachta = aca. B^i/ *Michea/l_Ruadh ag breathnughadh an iomla/in = agus e/ ag glacadh na feirge de re/ir a c^e/ile. Sa = deireadh ar seisean leo go suaimhneach, `nar c^o/ir = go m+be/adh truaighe agaibh do na seandaoini/ bochta = agus gan la/mh c^ruaidh a c^oinnea/il leo.` = "Ach ni/ rabh gar a b^eith leo. Sa deireadh b^le/asc = *Michea/l ortha. `Go d+to/gaidh an dubh+-+d^iabhal leis = sibh,` ar seisean, `o/+'s aige a b^e/as sibh ar scor ar bith. = Cuirim damnughadh ar mur n-+asnacha, a b^aicle m^alluighthe, = an si/leann sibh chugaibh fe/in go m+be/adh sibh a' tabhairt = a leitheid de i/de do s^ean daoini/ bochta deileo/ire. = Ni/l f^ios agaibh ce/ b^e/as ag coinnea/il la/mh c^ruaidh libh = fe/in i n+deireadh mur saoghail. Sgrios o/+'n Righ oraibh, = seasuigidh amach o/ d^oras an t-+seomra agus re/idhtigidh = an casa/n do na seandaoini/, no/ nar f^eicidh m'+anam = ach Dia go m+be/inn a' damhsa in mur g+cuid fola.` = "A d^earbhrathair a bh+fuil m'+anam ionnat, anuas = thar d^oras an t-+seomra leis an t+*Sagart_Ruadh,||"| agus = bata buidhe i n-+a la/imh leis. Ni/ rabh aithne no/ eolas = aige ar *M^ichea/l. `Ce/ '+g^eobhadh 'e c^roidhe,` ar seisean, = `toiseacht a m^allachtaigh agus a t^abhairt mionna mo/r = la/ ar c^eart d'+achan d^uine a b^eith '+dea/namh aithreachais = ins an me/id den obair sin ata/ dea/nta aige le bliadhain? = Tusa a b^i/ ar obair?` ar seisean le *Michea/l, no/ = c^onnaic se/ achan d^uine ag amharc air. = "|`|"|S me/ go di/reach, a S^agairt,` arsa *Michea/l, agus = t^oisigh se/ ~+brath an sge/al a innse do+'n t-+sagart. Ach = b^i/ an sagart to/gtha sa c^loiginn dar m^e/ad 's b^i/ de = f^eirg air agus ni/ leigfeadh se/ aon f^ocal amach ar a = b^e/al. `Bi/ '+do t^ost,` ar seisean. |`||Na/ labhair a' = dara focal.` =

"`Labhairfead,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Nar d^ubhairt mise nach labhairfea/,` ars an sagart. = "`Dubhairt mise go labhairfinn,` arsa *Michea/l. = "Le sin t^ug an sagart iarraidh de+'n b^ata air. C^uir = *Michea/l a la/mh i n-+a/irde i n-+e/adan an b^uille. = "`E/istigidh liom+-+sa, a S^agairt, bomaite beag,` = ar seisean. `Ni/ t^o/gfaidh me/ la/mh libh ma/ b^i/onn sibh = gan mo b^ualadh. Ach dar a' bata ta/ in mo la/imh, an = c^ead deor de mo c^uid fola a t^arro/naidh sibh, buailfidh me/ = oiread oraibh agus nar b^uail me/ ar a'n f^ear ariamh. = No/ sin rud nach dea/rn mise agus nach n+dea/naim, mo = c^uid fola a leigin le fear ar bith, bi/odh se/ 'na s^agart = no/ 'na t^uata.` = "T^ionnto/igh an sagart suas un+' t-+seomra ari/s agus = s^uidh se/ a d^'+e/isteacht. S^iubhail *Michea/l amach ar an = doras agus b^ain se/ an baile amach. Nuair a b^i/ deireadh = e/istighthe c^uir an sagart ceist ca/ rabh an fear mire a = b^i/ annsin ar ball. |||H+-+innseadh do/ gur imthigh se/ 'na = b^aile. `Gabhadh duine agaibh fa/ n-+a c^oinne,` ar = seisean, `agus abradh se/ leis a t^eacht annseo go bh+fuil = gnoithe agam+-+sa leis.` = "C^uaidh. T^a/inig *Michea/l arais go teach an e/istidh. = "`Gaibhtse agus dea/n d'+f^aoiside,` ars an sagart. = "`Ni/ t^ig liom indiu/,` arsa *Michea/l. `Ta/ me/ ro/ = t^o/gtha san inchinn.` = "`Seo,` ars an sagart, `dea/n d'+f^aoiside.` = "`Ni/ t^ig liom, a s^agairt,` ar seisean, `faoiside ar = bith a d^ea/namh go si/othluighidh me/. Rachaidh me/ go = *Mi/n-na-leice i m+ba/rach` ar seisean. = "`Maith go leor` ars an sagart. `Ach anois,||`| = nar c^o/ir, gur c^uma goide/ an f^earg a c^uirfidhe ort, = nach d+toiseo/chtha a t^abhairt mionna mo/r. Nach ag = urnaighe ba c^eart duit a b^eith agus chan a' tabhairt = mionna mo/r.` = "`'S doiligh domh m'+urnaighe a ra/dh,` arsa *Michea/l_= Ruadh, `nuair a tchi/m an dream a c^aitheas leath a saoghail = ag urnaighe, agus gan creideamh no/ Cri/ostamhlacht =

ionnta. Ta/ siad annsin o/ m^aidi/n indiu agus a g+cuid = cono/rach *Muire aca, agus a S^agairt, g^oidfeadh siad = an c^ras o+'n asail. Agus anois nanach si/leann sibh+-+se = a S^agairt, go m+b'+f^ea/rr gan an t-+olc a d^ea/namh 'na/ = b^eith ag iarraidh b^eith da/ le/igheas le h-+urnaighe?` = "Ach ar scor ar bith, ni/or f^a/g *Michea/l an teach go = deachaidh se/ 'un faoiside. Agus ni/ rabh aon c^araid = ag an t-+sagart ni/ b'+|f|s|hea/rr 'na/ *Michea/l_Ruadh go dti/ = an la/ a d'+f^a/g se/ na *Rosa, mar s|h||agart. = "Bhail, t^roid se/ fe/in agus an *Sagart_'Ac_Searraigh = 'na d|h||iaidh sin. Agus ba fa/ gnoithe ofhra/la a d'+e/irigh = an troid. Fuair fear as an b^aile seo ba/s agus = d'+f^a/g se/ bean agus muiri/n lag p^a/isti/ 'na d^iaidh. Ba = e/ *Michea/l_Ruadh a t^o/g an ofhra/il, agus rinne se/ amach = gur m^o/ '+t^ruaighe an b^aintreabhach 'na/ an sagart agus = t^ug se/ di/the i/. C^ualaidh an sagart goide/ mar b^i/ agus = t^a/inig se/ f^ad le *Michea/l. Ni/ t^ug *Michea/l sa/sadh ar = bith do/ agus b'+e/igean do/ a f^a/ga/il mar fuair se/ e/. = Tamall 'na d^iaidh sin b^i/ se/ ag gabha/il go *Leitirceanainn = mar *M^ichea/l agus ce/ casadh air ach an sagart. = "`Ca/ bh+fuil tu/ '+gabhail?` ar seisean. = "D'+innis *Michea/l do/. = "`An d+tabharfaidh tu/ galu/n fi/ona chugam?` ars = an sagart. = "`B^e/arfad` arsa *Michea/l. = "Ni/ t^ug an sagart airgead ar bith do/. D'+imthigh = *Michea/l leis, c^eannuigh se/ an fi/on agus t^ug chuig an = t-+sagart e/. Ni/ t^ug an sagart aon p^i/ghinn do/. = Bliadhain o+'n am sin, b^i/ se/ '+gabha/il go *Leitirceanainn = arais agus casadh an sagart air. = "`An d+tabharfaidh tu/ galu/n fi/ona chugam?` ars = an sagart. = "`B^e/arfad` arsa *Michea/l. = "Nuair a t^a/inig se/ agus an fi/on leis t^ug an sagart = luach an da/ g^alu/n do/.|"|| = "Ni/ rabh se/ ach ag cur fiacha/la air," arsa m'+athair. =

"'+D^ath amha/in," arsa *Donnchadh. "Agus nuair a = c^onnaic se/ nach d+tug *Michea/l meas ro/gaire air, b^i/ se/ = go maith do/ ariamh 'na d^iaidh." = "Seo d^uit do p^i/opa, '+*F^eidhlimidh." = "Caith," arsa m'+athair. = "C^aith me/ '+g+ceart," arsa *Donnchadh. = "B^i/ se/ la/ eile i m+*Bealach-Seanaigh, mar *M^ichea/l, a = rabh se/ i n-+a/it a c^artuighthe. B^i/ fear as a' b^aile seo, = o/ga/nach da/r b^'+ainm *Eoghan_Mo/r_O/_Braona/n, b^i/ sin = 'na c^omhnuidhe thiar i m+*Bealach-Seanaigh. Agus b^i/ = sgaifte de m^uinntir a' b^aile seo a' teacht aniar fri/d = a' b^aile la/ amha/in ar a m+bealach as *Sligeach agus ma/lai/ = olna leo. B^i/ *Michea/l_Ruadh ann ce/ be/ nach rabh ann. = Nuair a b^i/ siad a' teacht aniar sra/id *B^ealach-Seanaigh, = arsa *Michea/l, ar seisean, `ta/ se/ na/ireach againn a = g^abha/il thart gan gloine a t^abhairt do *Eoghan_M^o/r agus = e/ as an a/it linn fe/in.` = "`Nach eisean a ba c^o/ir deoch a t^abhairt du/inne,` = arsa fear eile. = "`B'+f^e/idir gur furas do/ e/,` arsa *Michea/l. `Coinnigh-= eadh fear agaibh greim sre/in ar mo b^ea/thach agus be/idh = me/ soir '+mur n+diaidh.` = "C^uaidh *Michea/l fad le *Eoghan_Mo/r, t^ug isteach = i d+teach o/lacha/in e/ agus sgairt ar p^ionnta uisce+-+b^eatha. = Ni/ rabh air ach sgilling san am. = "`Bhail anois,` arsa *Eoghan_Mo/r, `ta/ sa/ith ceathraire = annseo. Agus ta/ beirt de b^uachailli/ o/ga leigthe = gasta ar an b^aile seo agus ta/ siad iongantach mo/r = liom+-+sa. Rachaidh me/ fa/ n-+a g+coinne go g+cuidighidh = siad linn seo '+o/l,` ar seisean. `Agus ni/ d^ea/nfaidh = se/ dochar ar bith duit aithne a c^ur ortha. No/,` ar = seisean, `bi/onn do s^iubhal achan a/it agus da/ m+ba = n+da/n 's go d+tiocfadh bruighin ar bith ort a choidhche ar = an b^aile seo, b'+f^ea/rr duit a g+cabhair 'na/ a g+cealg.` = "`Maith go leor,` arsa *Michea/l. = "C^uaidh *Eoghan fa/ c^oinne na beirte agus h-+o/ladh = an t-+uisce+-+beatha. D'+imthigh *Michea/l 'na b^aile. D'+innis =

se/ do na fir goide|/|| mar t^a/rluigh. B^i/ go maith go dti/ = dorna/n bliadhantach 'na d^iaidh seo agus goide/ t^a/inig ach = ganntanas mo/r bidh ins na *Rosa. Agus d'+imthigh = *Michea/l_Ruadh agus sgaifte de m^uinntir *Rann-na-= feirsde agus a g+cuid bea/thach leo go *Bealach-Seanaigh = fa/ c^oinne lo/dai/ coirce. B^i/ cuid de m^uinntir an = b^aile nach rabh sa/sta an coirce a leigin ar s^iubhal, ach = ni/or labhair siad ariamh go rabh a g+cuid lo/dai/ thuas ag = muinntir na *Rosann agus iad ag imtheacht. Agus = annsin lean sgaifte de na smugacha/in sin a bi/os fa/ = na bailte mo/ra, lean sin iad, a' brath bail na madadh = a t^abhairt ortha. B^i/ fear amha/in ann, de d^iu/lach = b^rato/gach b^rocach agus cuma air go rabh a s^a/ith amach = de+'n di/th+-+mu/ineadh ann. Ani/os leis f^ad le bea/thach = *M^ichea/il, cuiridh se/ a g^ualainn le sac a' c^oirce agus = caithidh se/ go talamh e/. = "`Is dona do t^allann,` arsa *Michea/l, `a leithid = sin a d^ea/namh ar f^ear ata/ leis fe/in ar a' b^aile seo.` = "To/gadh an ma/la agus s^iubhail siad leo giota eile. = T^a/inig an fear brocach agus c^uir se/ a g^ualainn leis = a' t-+sac agus leag se/ an dara h-+uair e/. `Sin anois = d^a/ uair a leag tu/ e/,` arsa *Michea/l. `Na/ bain feasta = de.` = "To/gadh an ma/la an dara h-+uair agus ni/ rabh ann = ach go rabh se/ thuas ar do/igh nuair a c^uir an fear brocach = anuas arais e/. Le sin t^arraing *Michea/l an bata ar = f^ad b^un na cluaise air agus d'+f^a/g 'na luighe i n-+a = c^uid fola ar a' t-+sra/id e/. A d^earbhrathair a bh+fuil = m'+anam ionnat, sin an a/it a rabh siad san f^aopach. = C^ruinnigh an baile thart ortha. D^roid *Michea/l anonn = le balla a b^i/ ann agus an c^uid eile de c^uid fear na = *Rosann le n-+a t^aobh. Smaoitigh *Peadar_S^ea/in - b^i/ = se/ 'na s^easamh ar g^ualainn *M^ichea/il - smaoitigh se/ = ar *Eoghan_M^o/r_O/_B^raona/n agus sgairt se/ amach sean+-+= a/rd a c^inn. = |"||`S^eacht m^'+anam t^u/, a *M^ichea/il_Ui/_B^aoighill,` ar sei-= sean. `Baiceo/laidh me/ fe/in ce/ad fear annseo indiu t^u/.` = |"||Le sin t^a/inig beirt b^uachall anall f^ad leo. `Bi/odh = geall,` arsa fear aca le *Michea/l, `gur tu/ *Baoigheallach = *Eoghain_M^o/ir.` =

"`Ta/ aithne agam ar an f^ear,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`'S tu/ b^i/ 'g o/l in ar g+cuideachta a leithid seo de = la/,` ars an fear eile. = "`'S me/,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Dar fiadh,` ar siad san, `cha/ d+te/id aon b^uille = in mur g+craiceann indiu.` Agus c^ruinnigh suas le fiche = fear thart ortha. Agus rinne a g+como/radh amach as a|'|| = b^aile." = "T^a/inig a g^ar i g+casa/n *Eoghain_M^o/ir sa deireadh," = arsa m'+athair. = "T^a/inig," arsa *Donnchadh, "de b^righ de, is fi/or = gur fea/rr duit an madadh go maith duit 'na/ go h-+olc = duit. B^i/ diu/lach sa ti/r seo fad o/ s^oin a d+tugadh = siad *Dubhall_Creag air. Cinea/l de leath+-+d^uine a b^i/ = ann nach rabh an taobh amuigh de+'n c^e/ill aige, no/ a = c^osnughadh fe/in ann, agus b^i/odh an taos o/g i g+comhnuidhe = a' teacht i d+ti/r air. B^i/ siad oidhche amha/in ag fidileo/ir = i *Seascann-a|'||-Ro/in agus b^i/ an *Dubhall bocht ann agus e/ = i m+ba/rr a c^e/ille ag an taos o/g. I d+tratha leath am+-+= luighe t^a/inig *Michea/l_Ruadh isteach. C^onnaic se/ an = b^ail a b^i/ ar an *Dubhall aca, agus b^agair se/ ortha. B^i/ = an *Dubhall bocht 'na s^uidhe thall i g+coirnea/l go pisli/neach = brato/gach agus s^i/lfea nach rabh tabhairt fa/ dear a d^ath = ann. = "Ni/ rabh de sin ach sin go cionn bliadhana eile, agus = b^i/ *Michea/l a' teacht o/ Aonach a' G^eimhridh oidhche s^neachta = agus ni/os mo/ 'na/ 'n m^easardhacht o/lta aige. Teacht = aniar druim *C^roch-Ui/-Bhaoighill do/, t^a/inig lagar air = agus b'+e/igean do/ luighe si/os ins a' t-+sneachta. C^uaidh = an fuacht go dti/ an croidhe ann agus c^aill se/ a m^othughadh = agus a m^eabhair. Ce/ b^i/ ag gabhail thart ach *Dubhall_= Creag, agus t^a/inig se/ ar *M^ichea/l 'na luighe sa' t-+= sneachta. Reath se/ an me/id a b^i/ i n-+a c^na/mha go dti/ = an teach a ba deise do/ agus d'+innis se/ go rabh fear = a' fa/ghail b^a/is ins an t-+sneachta. Tugadh *Michea/l fa/ = t^each, tugadh deochannai/ teo do/, agus nuair a t^a/inig = se/ chuige fe/in fuair se/ e/ fe/in 'na luighe ar sra/ideo/ig = a c^ois na teineadh agus *Dubhall_Creag 'na s^uidhe ag = n-+a c^osa." =

"Mo t^ruaighe, nar laghach an m^aise do/ e/" arsa mo = m^athair. "Ce/ s^i/lfeadh do+'n c^re/atu/r go m+be/adh an = oiread sin i n-+a c^eann." = "B^i/ an oiread sin i n-+a c^eann," arsa *Donnchadh, = "agus an bh+feiceann tu/ an do/igh a d+ta/inig gar *M^ichea/il_= Ruaidh i n-+a c^asa/n." = "Sin mar bi/os go minic," arsa m'+athair. = "Bhail, b^i/ se/ bliadhain eile," arsa *Donnchadh, "a deachaidh = se/ suas go *Baoigheallach le lo/d uisce+-+b^eatha agus = d'+f^obair go mairbhfidhe e/. 'Inne reatha a t^ug se/ a = c^eann leis. La/ aonaigh a c^uaidh se/ suas agus b^i/ fir = na ti/re annsin roimhe agus iad da/ bh+fiacha/il fe/in = tra/thno/na, ag to/ga/il cloiche a b^i/ ann. T^o/g *Michea/l = an c^loch ani/os go dti/ n-+a d^a/ g^lu/n. D'+amharc fear = aca air. `An d+tig leat,` ar seisean, `achan rud a = d^ea/namh comh maith le to/ga/il na cloiche?` = "`Se/ mo b^aramhail go d+tig,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Maith go leor,` ars an fear eile. `Troidfidh = tu/ mise.` = "`Maise,` arsa *Michea/l, `ta/ me/ annseo liom = fe/in agus ni/ f^o/ireann troid domh. Ach b^e/arfaidh me/ = car duit.` = "`Maith go leor,` ars an fear eile. Agus fuair = an b^eirt d^a/ g^reim ar a c^e/ile. Leag *Michea/l e/. = |"||D'e/irigh siad agus c^uaidh siad le c^e/ile an dara h-+uair. = Leag *Michea/l e/. Le sin t^ug an fear eile iarraidh de = d^o/rn air. = "`Na/r d^ubhairt me/ libh,` arsa *Michea/l, `nach rabh = troid a' fo/irstin domh agus me/ liom fe/in. Ach o/ = t^a/rla go g+caithfidh an troid a b^eith ann, an bh+fuil fear = ar bith annsin a rachas isteach i d+teach g^lasta liom?` = "Dubhairt fear amha/in a b^i/ ann go rachadh se/ fe/in|.|| = C^uaidh. Droideadh an doras taobh istuigh. Agus = c^uaidh fear de na fir ar gach taobh de t^a/b||h|la a b^i/ ann. = Ni/or c^uimhnigh *Michea/l ar a c^aso/g a b^aint de go dti/ = seo. D'+f^a/g se/ si/os a b^ata ar an ta/bla agus nuair = a fuair an fear eile e/ a' baint a c^uid la/mh amach as na =

muinchilli/ b^uail se/ le buille de+'n b^at||h|a e/ agus c^uir = ar a g^lu/ine e/. Le/im se/ anall i mullaigh an ta/bla = '+brath gan leigin do/ e/irghe go m+buaileadh se/ e/. C^uir = *Michea/l suas a la/mh agus fuair se/ greim sgeadama/in = air. C^oinnigh se/ amach uaith fe/in e/ agus c^uir se/ an = la/mh eile si/os i b+po/ca a b^ri/ste agus t^arraing se/ = ani/os sgian+-+p^o/ca a rabh bonn uirthi mar b^e/adh casu/r = ann. B^uail se/ tri/ b^uille gan stad air isteach i m+bun = na sro/na. T^uit se/ sin marbh. D'+e/ist an m^uinntir a = b^i/ taobh amuigh. Ni/ rabh smid le cluinstin aca. `Ta/ = an troid thart,` arsa fear aca, `agus caithfidh se/ go = bh+fuil fear e/ighinteacht aca marbh, nuair nach bh+fuil aon = d^uine aca a' teacht amach.` = "`Ta/, agus is ag fear na *Rosann a c^aithfeas = an b^uaidh a b^eith. Da/ m+be/adh si/ ag ar bh+fear fe/in = t^iocfadh se/ amach,` arsa duine eile. = "Sgairt siad ag fiafruighe goide/ mar c^uaidh an = troid. = "`Ta/ eagla orm go bh+fuil se/ seo marbh,` arsa = *Michea/l. = "Le sin t^ug an m^uinntir a b^i/ amuigh iarraidh a|'|| brath = an doras a b^riseadh. D'+f^oscail *Michea/l an doras = agus d'+amharc se/ amach. `A f^eara,` ar seisean = `fanaidh anois go n-+innsidh mise sge/al di/bh. B^i/ fear = san a/it s' againne aon uair amha/in dar b^'+ainm *Muldai/_= Mac_Cormaic. T^uit se/ amach le muinntir na h-+a/ite = agus b'+e/igean do/ an a/it a f^a/ga/il. Na bliadhanta 'na = d^iaidh sin t^a/inig se/ thart i n-+e/ideadh fir b^oicht agus = t^a/inig se/ f^ad le h+a/it a rabh sgaifte fear ag gearradh = le/imneach. G^ea/rr se/ le/im agus h-+aithnigheadh e/ agus = leanadh e/. D'+f^a/g se/ 'na d^iaidh iad uilig ach fear = amha/in. Nuair nach rabh dul ag an f^ear sin greim = f^a/ghail air, t^arraing se/ amach piostal agus c^uir se/ = urchar i n-+a la/iric. Nuair a b^i/ *Muldai/ 'na luighe agus = an fear eile ag teacht go dti/ e/ t^arraing se/ fe/in = amach piostal agus c^uir se/ se/ h-+urchair fri/d a c^roidhe. = "T^ug tu/ do s^onas ar mo d^onas, a d^uine b^oicht," ar = seisean. 'S+e/ a d^a/lta sin agaibh+-+se e/, a f^eara,` arsa =

*Michea/l_Ruadh. `Fe/adann sibh mise a m^arbhadh ach cha/ = m^arbhann gan fear e/ighinteacht a b^eith '+g^eall liom. = An c^ead f^ear t^iocfas f^ad liom+-+sa caithfidh se/ a = s^onas a t^abhairt ar mo d^onas.` = "Dia, sga/nruigh achan f^ear gurab e/ fe/in a b^e/adh = thi/os leis, agus d'+imthigh siad 's d'+f^a/g siad e/. Ach = rinne siad luigheacha/n roimhe, a' brath gan a leigin ar = s^iubhal as an a/it gan breith air ar d^o/igh e/ighinteacht. = Le bo/dharanacht an lae ar maidi/n c^uaidh *Michea/l ar a = b^ea/thach agus d'+imthigh se/ a' tarraingt ar a' b^aile. = Ni/or b^'+f^ada a c^uaidh se/ gur m^othuigh se/ an to/ir 'na = d^iaidh. B^i/ siad a' sgairtigh leis na fir a b^i/ sna toighthe = ar t^aobhannai/ an b^ealaigh+-+m^o/ir agus ag innse go rabh = fear marbh ag an f^ear a b^i/ '+teicheadh. Le n-+a linn seo = b^i/ an sluagh ag me/adughadh agus an to/ir a' teacht ni/ = ba g^e/ire ins na sa/la ar *M^ichea/l. B^i/ ceathrar = dea/rtharach a' spealado/racht i g+cuibhreann mi/odu/in = le taobh an b^ealaigh+-+m^o/|i||r. Sgairt an sluagh leo an = murdaro/ir a p^illeadh. T^a/inig an ceathrar ani/os agus = amach ar a' b|h||ealach+-+m^o/r roimhe agus a g+cuid speal = leo. Le sin t^a/inig an m^a/thair amach as an teach. `A = c^lann,` ar sise, `cuirim de f^iachaibh oraibh an fear a = bh+fuil an to/ir 'na d^iaidh a leigin le n'+olc fe/in.` C^uaidh = na fir si/os 'n+a' m^i/odu/in arais agus d'+imthigh *Michea/l = tharstu/ ar steallaigh cosa '+n-+a/irde agus cruitheacha an = b^eathaigh a' baint teineadh amach as clocha an b^ealaigh+-+= m^o/ir." = "D'+imthigh se/ as ga/bha an la/ sin," arsa m'+athair. = "Fe/adann tu/ sin a ra/dh," arsa *Donnchadh. = "'S goide/ a d'+e/irigh don f^ear a buaileadh leis an = sgin?" arsa mo m^athair. = "Fuair se/ biseach," arsa *Donnchadh, "agus c^aith *Michea/l = agus e/ fe/in oidhche ag o/l i g+cuideachta a c^e/ile tamall = 'na d^iaidh seo. B^i/ fiacha aige ar d^aoini/ thuas i m+*Baoi-= gheallach de t^airbhe b^eith '+di/ol uisce+-+b^eatha leo, agus = ni/or m^aith leis a g^abha/il suas leis fe/in ar a lorg. La/ = amha/in t^a/inig fear as *Baoigheallach dar b^'+ainm *Macada/n_= Mo/r_O/_Muighe, t^a/inig sin anuas '+toighe *D^onnchaidh_O/ig i =

*Loch-an-iubhair fa/ c^oinne po/iti/n. Ce/ b^i/ toigh *D^onnchaidh = o/ oidhche ach *Michea/l_Ruadh. B^i/ siad 'na suidhe go mall = are/ir roimh sin agus b^i/ *Michea/l_Ruadh 'na luighe sa = t-+seomra ar maidi/n nuair a m^othuigh se/ an c^ainnt = c^oimhthigheach thi/os sa c^istinigh. D'+e/ist se/ leis an = c^omhra/dh. = "`An bh+fuil se/ i bh+fad o/ seo go dti/ an a/it a bh+fuil = *Michea/l_Ruadh_O/_Baoighill 'na c^omhnuidhe?` arsa = *Macada/n_Mo/r. = "`D^a/ no/+'r tri/ m^i/lte,` arsa fear a' toighe. = "`Ta/,` arsa *Macada/n, `b^i/ se/ thuas sa ti/r s' againne = aon uair amha/in agus ni/l ann ach gur imthigh se/ le n'+anam. = C^luinim go bh+fuilthear a' feitheamh leis a g^abha/il suas = arais ar lorg fiach ata/ amuigh aige agus go bh+fuilthear = le na m^arbhadh. Agus,` ar seisean, `da/ m+bi/nn+-+se||/| = sa c^ruinniughadh an la/ sin s^a/bho/lainn e/.` = "Le sin t^arraing *Michea/l air a c^eirteach agus anuas = leis. C^uir se/ fa/ilte roimh na fir, b^eir ar b^uidea/l = agus ar g^loine agus c^uir thart deoch. D'+o/l achan = f^ear a g^loine. Li/onadh an dara h-+uair iad agus = h-+o/ladh arais iad. Li/on *Michea/l an tri/omhadh gloine = agus li/on se/ amach ar an t-+su/il e/. `'+F^eara,` ar seisean, = `nach bh+fuil se/ sin la/n?` Dubhairt achan f^ear go rabh. = C^aith *Michea/l siar e/. D'+aithin na fir go rabh rud = eighinteacht faoi, agus ni/ o/lfadh aon d^uine ni/os mo/. = "`Bhail anois, a g^iolla m^o/ir,` arsa *Michea/l, `goide/ = mar s^a/bho/ltha t^usa me/ da/ m+bithea/ ar an aonach an la/ = sin?` = "`Agus an tusa *Michea/l_Ruadh_O/_Baoighill?` = arsa *Macada/n_Mo/r. = "`'S me/,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Ta/,` arsa *Macada/n_Mo/r, `da/ m+be/adh fear ar = bith ins an c^ruinniughadh ion+-+c^urtha leat a' to/ga/il na = cloiche, ni/ c^uirfidhe troid ort. Ba e/ an rud a g^oill = ar na fir tu/ b^eith ni/ b'+f^ea/rr 'na/ iad uilig. Da/ m+bi/nn+-+se = sa la/thair t^o/gfainn an c^loch agus ni/ b^e/adh ni/ ba m^o/ = de.` =

"Ni/ d^ea/rn *Michea/l ach ceig c^eithre n+galu/n de/ag a = t^arraingt aniar o+'n doras druidte. B^eir se/ greim = d^a/ f^eireamh air agus s^i/n se/ a sgiatha/n i n-+a/irde = os cionn m^ullach a c^inn leis. `Cuir an ceig sin i = n-+a/irde,` ar seisean, `go bh+feicidh me/ an d+tiocfadh leat = mo s^a/bha/il da/ m+bithea/ ar an aonach an la/ sin.` = "B^eir *Macada/n_Mo/r ar a' c^eig ach ni/ rabh se/ a/balta = a t^o/ga/il os cionn a b^rollaigh. `Bhail, tchi/m,` ar = seisean, `ni/or c^abhair ar bith mise duit da/ m+be/inn = annsin fe/in. ||`|Ach anois,` ar seisean, `gabh suas la/ = ar bith ar mian leat e/ agus ||'|bhe/arfaidh mise m'+f^ocal = duit nach labhairtear go fiadhta leat go d+tigidh tu/ = arais.` = "C^uaidh. C^uir *Macada/n_Mo/r duine fa/ c^oinne = buidea/il agus c^uir se/ cuireadh ar an f^ear seo a b^i/ = ag troid le *Michea/l. T^a/inig se/ sin. Nuair a c^onnaic = se/ *Michea/l, c^raith se/ la/mh leis agus s^uidh siad thart. = `Bhail anois,` ars an fear seo, `ni/l olc no/ urcho/id = agam duit, ach innis domh ca/ leis ar b^uail tu/ me/.` = "`Ta/,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh, `nuair a fuair tu/ me/ a' = baint di/om mo c^aso/ige b^uail tu/ me/ agus leag tu/ = me/.` = "`B^uail,` ars an fear eile. = "`Agus nuair a fuair tu/ '+mo luighe me/ t^a/inig tu/ = de le/im trasna an ta/bla a' brath mo b^ualadh '+mo = luighe.` = "`Rinne me/ sin,` ars an fear eile. = "`Agus,` arsa *Michea/l, `nuair a c^onnaic mise = nach rabh an dara suidhe sa b^uailidh ann,` ar seisean, = ag cur la/imhe i n-+a p^o/ca agus ag tarraingt ani/os na = sgine, `b^uail me/ le tri/ b^uille di/the sin t^u/ i m+bun = na sro/na.` = "`Ta/ se/ uilig maithteach agat,` ars an fear eile, = `no/+'s me/ fe/in ba c^ionntaighe. Agus anois,` ar = seisean, `la/ ar bith ar mian leat a t^eacht go *Baoigh-= eallach le do g^noithe na/ bi/odh eagla ort go g+cuirtear = chugat no/ uait.` =

"C^aith siad an oidhche i g+cuideachta a c^e/ile toigh = *M^acada/in_M^o/ir, d'+o/l siad sla/inte a c^e/ile agus b^i/ = an carthanas dea/nta." = "G^ni/odh se/ cuid m^o/r po/iti/n," arsa m'+athair. = "G^ni/odh," arsa *Donnchadh, "agus d^i/oladh se/ achan = a/it ar fud na condae e/. B^i/ se/ oidhche amha/in ag gabha/il = amach ag *Cro/-na-sealg ag tarraingt go *Bealach-fe/idh, = e/ '+marcuidheacht ar b|h||ea/thach agus d^a/ c^eig ar a b^e/alai||/|bh = leis. Oidhche s^neachta a b^i/ ann agus tchi/ se/ chuige an = diu/lach da/na dolba i g+cosamhlacht, agus a b^ata faoi = n'+asgaill leis. Ce/ b^i/ ann ach *Ma/nus_Beag_O/_Domhnaill = as *Innis-Saille. Agus b^i/ o/ga/nach fir, a m^ic. C^uir = *Michea/l fora/n air. `M^+-+anam, rath ort,` ar seisean, = `gur maith la/dasach an giota d^'+f^ear t^u/ i g+cosamhlacht.` = "`Da/ m+be/adh braon da/ bh+fuil ins na ceigeannai/ = agam,` arsa *Ma/nus, `d'+f^e/adfa/ sin a ra/dh.` = "`B^e/arfaidh mise sin duit,` arsa *Michea/l, ag = tarraingt amach buidea/il agus a s^i/neadh ionnsair. D'+o/l = *Ma/nus tarraingt a c^inn as. `Sonas ar do c^inea/l,` = ar seisean. `Agus is maith a rinne tu/ a t^abhairt = domh go suaimhneach no/ mur' d+tugtha/, ni/ f^a/gtha/ an = talamh a bh+fuil tu/ ann go m+baininn di/ot e/.` = "`Be/idh le fiacha/il,` arsa *Michea/l, ||`|ag teacht 'e = le/im anuas de+'n b^ea/thach. D^roid se/ fe/in agus *Ma/nus = le c^e/ile agus t^arraing an b^eirt d^a/ le/ab ar a c^e/ile. = T^roid siad tamall. `Seo,` arsa *Ma/nus_Beag, = `d^ea/nfaidh sin gnoithe. Ni/ t^iocfadh liom deoch a = b^aint di/ot da/ m+ba m^ian leat a coinnea/il uaim.` = "`An o/lfaidh tu/ tuilleadh,` arsa *Michea/l. = "D'+o/l achan f^ear aca glinci/n eile, agus t^ug siad = d^a/ c^u/l a g+cinn le c^e/ile." = "An bh+fuil se/ i bh+fad o/ fuair se/ ba/s?" arsa m'+athair. = "Ni/l se/ an fad sin uilig," arsa *Donnchadh. "Is = cumhan liom+-+sa me/ fe/in e/ '+f^eicea/il 'na s^eandhuine = urradhanta. B^i/ aois m^o/r aige nuair a fuair se/ ba/s. =

B^i/ se/ i bh+fad os cionn na g+ceithre sgo/r. C^luininn na = seandaoini/ a ra/dh go rabh se/ i g+cionn a f^ichid bliadhain = Samhradh na gorta. B^i/ sin ar c^eann de na c^ead = e/ac|h||tai/ a c^uir a g^a/ir ar fud a' p^obail, an oidhche a b^eir = se/ ar an g^aduidhe ag goid na mine. B^i/ co/fra mine = coirce ag n-+athair sa sgiobo/l agus b^i/thear a|/|'| goid. = Oidhche amha/in t^ug *Michea/l leis claidheamh, c^uaidh se/ = isteach 'n+a' sgiobo/il agus luigh se/ i bh+folach i g+cu/l = c^o/fra an c^oirce. Ni/or b^'+f^ada gur m^othuigh se/ torma/n = na coise a' teacht anuas an cabhsa. Le sin cuireadh = sean+-+spa/d isteach faoi b^un na co/mhlach agus caitheadh = de+'n doras i/. C^uaidh m'+o/ga/nach go co/fra an c^oirce = agus b^ain an cla/r de. Le sin p^reab *Michea/l 'na = s^easamh agus t^ug iarraidh ar an g^aduidhe. Ba m^aith = an m^aise do+n g^aduidhe e/, b^i/ le/im a' dorais aige, agus = *Michea/l amach 'na d^iaidh. S^i/n an to/ir. '+Gabhail suas = lag an *A/ird-bha/in daobhtha b^uail *Michea/l i d+taobh na = cloigne e/ le cu/l a c^laidhimh. Agus t^uit an gaduidhe. = "`O/ '+*M^ichea/il, na/ buail,` ar seisean. = "`Cha/ b^uailim,` arsa *Michea/l. `E/irigh.` = "D'+e/irigh. `Ni/ rabh aon g^reim bidh agam le tabhairt = do na pa/isti/,` ars an gaduidhe, `agus t^a/inig me/ = '+t^abhairt liom la/n mo hata de+'n m^in sula leiginn a = ||a| luighe 'na d+trosgadh iad.` = "`Pill annseo,` arsa *Michea/l, `agus li/onfaidh mise = do hata duit.` = "P^ill. Nuair a fuair *Michea/l greim ar an hata da/ = c^eann t^uit ma/la amach as. `B^i/ tu/ '+brath ni/ ba m^o/ = 'na/ la/n a' hata b^eith leat,` arsa *Michea/l. B^uail = na/ire an fear eile. `Seo,` ar seisean, `ni/ t^abhairfidh = me/ a'n g^ra/ini/n di/the liom.` = "`M^aighe maise go d+tabhairfidh,` arsa *Michea/l, = agus t^oisigh se/ a c^ur na mine sa m^a/la. `Da/ d+tigthea/ = chugam+-+sa '+c^ead uair,` ar seisean, `agus innse domh = nach rabh aon g^reim le h+ithe ag na pa/isti/, ni/ leigfinn = a luighe 'na d+trosgadh iad.` Agus li/on se/ an ma/la = amach 'ar a' t-+su/il do/. `'Nois, a g^eall ar D^ia, a = *M^ichea/il,` ars an gaduidhe, `agus ta/ athchuinge amha/in =

agam le h-+iarraidh ort. Is mo/r na/ire an duine. Na/ = h-+innis a choidhche orm go d+ta/inig tu/ orm in do sgiobo/l = a' goid mine.` = "`Ni/ c^luinfidh aon d^uine a choidhche e/,` arsa *Michea/l. = "`Go d+tugaidh Dia a luach duit,` ars an fear eile, = `mur' m+bidh mise a/balta a t^abhairt duit. B||h|'fhe/idir = go d+tiocfadh do g^ar in mo c^asa/n la/ e/ighinteacht.` = "Ni/ rabh de sin ach sin go ceann tamaill, gur b^isigh = an saoghal agus b^i/ *Michea/l_Ruadh ag dea/namh te/igheadh = uisce+-+b^eatha. B^i/ leath+-+c^oro/in le fa/gha/il san am sin = as spi/odo/racht a d^ea/namh ar t^e/igheadh, agus goide/ do = b^aramhail nach deachaidh an gaduidhe seo da/ d^a/ c^ois = go rabh se/ istuigh thiar ar a' *C^locha/n_Liath, agus rinne = spi/odo/racht ar *M^ichea/l. Oidhche s^neachta a b^i/ ann = agus tchi/feadh cuid de na Ribhi/ni/ ag an dubh+-+d^onas e/ = as coiscreadh a c^ur fu/tha a leithid de oidhche. Ach = c^aithfeadh siad a t^eacht amach nuair a fuair siad an = sge/ala. D'+f^a/g siad an *Clocha/n_Liath i d+tratha leath = am+-+luighe agus an spi/odo/ir leo a' dea/namh an eolais = daobhtha. B^i/ oidhche re/ab g^ealaighe ann agus eadar = sin agus an sneachta tchi/fea/ duine fad d'+amhairc uait. = I d+tratha an m^ea/dhon+-+oidhche, b^i/ *Seimisi/n_T^arluigh_B^ig, = go n+dea/naidh Dia gra/sta ar na mairbh, b^i/ sin ag teacht = as *Port_Innis-mi/l, i n+diaidh a b^eith thiar ar faire, agus = tchi/ se/ na Ribhi/ni/ ag teacht anuas ba/rr a' *M^urlaigh. B^i/ = f^ios aige go rabh *Michea/l_Ruadh a' te/igheadh, agus dar = leis fe/in le fios no/ le h-+amhras is co/ir domh sge/ala = a t^abhairt duit go bh+fuil na Ribhi/ni/ ar a g+cois. B^i/ = se/ 'na lom tra/gha, agus ni/ d^ea/rn *Seimisi/n a d^ath ach = a b^ro/ga a b^aint de agus anuas an tra/igh leis an me/id = a b^i/ i n-+a c^eithre c^na/mha, go rabh se/ sa c^ro/ ar g^ob na = *Ba/inseadh. C^uir na fir iomla/n i bh+folach agus b^ain = siad an baile amach. Luigh *Michea/l_Ruadh istuigh i = d+tom aitinighe le taobh an c^abhsa, an bealach a d+tiocfadh = na Ribhi/ni/. B^i/ se/ fada buan annsin, mar b^ain se/ = moill asta+-+san a t^eacht thart maolacha *Ath-na-goire = agus anuas bachtai/ an *P^olla/in-|b|B|hoig. Ach ins an = deireadh m^othuigh se/ torma/n a g+cos fri/d a' t-+sneachta. = Anuas leo thart leis agus gan fear ar bith a' labhairt. =

Nuair a b^i/ siad ar amharc an c^ro/ c^aith an spi/odo/ir e/ = fe/in si/os i n+di/g agus d'+imthigh an c^uid eile leo. Ar = t^eacht 'n+a' c^ro/ daobhtha, b^i/ an teinidh as agus gan oiread = a's cipi/n amha/in den trioc nach rabh ar s^iubhal. D'+aithin = siad go m+b'+e/igean de na stileo/iri/ go bh+fuair siad = sge/ala agus ni/ rabh gar leo cuartughadh ar bith a = d^ea/namh. P^ill siad arais. '+Teacht thart leis an = spi/odo/ir daobhtha d'+e/irigh se/ as an di/g agus b^i/ se/ leo. = D'+aithin *Michea/l_Ruadh ce/ b^i/ ann. Leig se/ thairis giota = maith iad, agus annsin d'+e/irigh se/ agus s^iubhail se/ 'na = n+diaidh. Ni/or leig se/ as '+amharc iad ariamh. Ar = t^eacht go h-+*Athnagoire daobhtha, d'+imthigh na Ribhi/ni/ leo = siar agus c^or m'+o/ganach soir bealach+-+mo/r *M^i/n-na-= leice, a' brath a t^eacht thart bealach cu/il 'n+a' b^aile. = S^iubhail se/ leis agus s^iubhail *Michea/l 'na d^iaidh. Gabhail = soir ag teach *M^a/nuis_B^ig daobhtha t^ionntuigh an spi/odo/ir = thart agus tchi/ se/ an duine a' siubhal 'na d^iaidh. G^e/aruigh = se/ a c^os. G^e/aruigh *Michea/l a c^os. = "`Fan '+do s^easamh,` arsa *Michea/l. = "Le sin leig an fear eile e/ fe/in un a' reatha agus = leig *Michea/l e/ fe/in un a' reatha 'na d^iaidh. S^i/n an = to/ir, soir an *Ailt, thart *Mi/n-na-leice agus anonn = a' tarraingt ar *B^a/rr_G^aoth-dobhair. '+Gabha/il soir = *Clocha/n-an-fhir-mho/ir daobhtha t^a/inig *Michea/l fa/ f^ad = buille do/, |b|B|huail i g+cu/l a' c^inn leis a' b^ata e/ agus = d'+f^a/g ar a b^e/al 's ar a s^ro/in sa c^locha/n e/. = "`O/, '+*M^ichea/il, na/ buail,` ars an fear a b^i/ 'na = luighe. = "`An tusa ta/ annseo,` arsa *Michea/l. `Is mairg = domh a li/on an ma/la duit an oidhche a t^a/inig me/ ort = a' goid mo c^uid mine, agus is mairg domh a g^eall do = g^ni/omharthai/ a c^eilt ar an t-+saoghal go la/ mo b^a/is. = Ach,` ar seisean, `da/ m+b'+f^iu/ liom mo la/mh a f^a/ga/il = thi/os leat, a t^ruaill s^alach, rannfainn do c^na/mha ar = a c^e/ile.`" = "Bhail a D^ia, '+*D^onnchaidh, nar b^'+e/ an t-+anairidhe e/, = thar a g+cuala me/ ariamh. B'+olc an airidhe air an gar = a rinneadh do/," arsa m'+at|h||air. =

"Fe/adann tu/ sin a ra/dh," arsa *Donnchadh. = "Agus ar innis *Michea/l annsin air goide/ rinne se/?" = arsa m'+athair. = "Ni/or innis," arsa *Donnchadh. "Ni/or c^ualaidh aon = d^uine ariamh ach bean *M^ichea/il ce/+'r b^'+e/ an gaduidhe. = Agus seo mar fuair sise amach e/. Tamall maith = bliadhantach 'na d^iaidh sin, b^i/ faire thall annseo toigh = *P^a/druig_No/rann, agus b^i/ la/n a' toighe ann. B^i/ = *Michea/l_Ruadh agus a||'| b^ean annsin. Agus ce/ be/ nach = rabh ann b^i/ an fear seo ann a rinne an g^aduidheacht = agus an spi/odo/racht. T^oisigh an comhra/dh ar c^inea/lacha, = agus sa deireadh t^arraing duine e/ighinteacht air Samhradh = na Gorta. B^i/ achan d^uine ag innse a sge/il fe/in fa/+'n = ampla agus fa/+'n ocras agus fa/+'n g^aduidheacht a b^i/ = ann san am. T^oisigh *Michea/l agus d'+innis se/ a sge/al = fe/in. `Agus anois,` ar seisean, `na/r b^'+olc an = seanadh a b^i/ ann! An c^ead te/igheadh uisce+-+b^eatha a = rinne me/ 'na d^iaidh sin, c^uaidh se/ siar 'na *C^locha/in_= Le/ith chuig na Ribhi/ni/ go dea/rn se/ spi/odo/racht orm. = C^uir me/ a lorg agus lean me/ e/ go bh+fuair me/ greim = air ag *Clocha/n-an-fhir-mho/ir. Agus ni/or b^uail me/ air = ach aon b^uille amha/in de b^ata.` = "B^i/ bean *M|h||ichea/il_Ruaidh 'na suidhe thi/os i d+taobh a|'|| = toighe, agus ce/ b^i/ ag n-+a t||h|aobh ach an gaduidhe. B^ruid = se/ i/ agus t^ug cogar di/the. `G^eall ar D^ia,` ar seisean, = `'s tabhair 'n+a' b^aile e/, no/ ainmneo/chaidh se/ amach i = la/r a' toighe me/.` = "`'+*M^ichea/il,` ars an b^ean, `nach bh+fuil an t-+am = againn ar n-+aghaidh a t^abhairt ar a' dream a d'+f^a/gmar = ~+ar n+diaidh.` = "`Maise, b||h|'fhe/idir a ru/n go bh+fuil,` ar seisean. = Agus d'+imthigh siad. = "Gabhail suas lag an *A/ird-bha/in daobhtha, ars an = b^ean, `c^uir tu/ la/n a c^raicinn de na/ire ar a leithid = seo anocht.` = "`Ce/ d'+innis duit,` arsa *Michea/l, `gurab eisean = an gaduidhe?` =

"`Ta/,` ars an b^ean, `b^ruid se/ me/ agus t^ug cogar = domh tu/ a t^abhairt 'n+a' b^aile no/ nach rabh f^ios aige = ce/+'n bomaite a d'+ainmneo/chtha/ i la/r a' toighe e/.` = "`Gabh ar do d^a/ g^lu/n annsin anois,` arsa *Michea/l, = `agus geall do D^ia nach g+cluintear sin a choidhche = uait.` = "C^uaidh. Agus go deachaidh si/ i d+talamh ni/or innis = si/ an sge/al do+n dara duine. No/ ni/ f^uarthas amach = ariamh ce/+'r b^'+e/ an gaduidhe." ||."| = "D^eamhan gurab e/ a b^i/ seasmhach!|"|| arsa m'+athair. = "Ni/or innis se/ ariamh air e/," arsa *Donnchadh. = "Ni/ rabh fear ar bith ar an li/ne a t^a/inig 'na d^iaidh = ion+-+c^urtha leis?" arsa m'+athair. = "Ni/ rabh no/ leath ion+-+c^urtha leis," arsa *Donnchadh. = "C^onnaic mise me/ fe/in e/ thi/os annseo ar an *Oitir_= M^o/ir i g+ceann a t^ri/ sgo/r go leith bliadhain agus = b^aicea/il se/ sac brach' a s^a/irigh ar an f^ear o/g a ba = la/idire sa da/ p^obal." = "Ce/ gur b^'+aosta e/!" arsa m'+athair. = "Siud an aois a b^i/ se/," arsa *Donnchadh. "C^uala = sibh iomra/dh ar an uair a ba/itheadh *Conall_S^orcha_Bige = thi/os annseo ar d^ruim na h+*Oitreacha_Mo/ire. B^i/ se/ = ag teacht as a' *B|h||un-bheag agus lasta brach' leis i = g+curach. T^a/inig stoirm ceatha air a li/on a' curach = agus ba/itheadh e/. = "Ins an am sin b^i/ ba/s duine tearc le taobh mar = ta/ se/ anois, de b^ri/gh go rabh na daoini/ ni/os gainne = i bh+fad. Agus b^i/ bunadhas b^uachailli/ na *Rosann = cruinn ar an f^aire. Le na c^ois sin b'+as *Gaoth-dobhair = *Sorcha_B^eag agus b^i/ cuid m^o/r de c^uid fear *G^aoth-= dobhair ann fosta. = "Nuair a t^a/inig an oidhche agus t^ra/igh se/, dubhairt = cuid de na comharsannai/ a b^i/ ar an f^ai||/|re na/r b^eag a = rabh caillte agus gur c^o/ir an b^raich a t^abhairt fa/ t^each = agus gan a leigin amudha. B^i/ ma/la amha/in ann a = rabh deich g+clocha fichead do b^raich t^irim ann agus ni/l =

f^ios goide/ an mea/dhchon a b^i/ ann anois, no/ b^i/ an sa/ile = o/lta aige. H+ubhradh go g+caithfidhe an ma/la seo a rann = 'na c^uideannai/ no/ go rabh se/ ro+-+t^rom ag fear ar bith = le baicea/il agus ag bea/thach ar bith le h-+iomchur. B^i/ = *Cormac_D^iarmada as *Gaoth-dobhair ann, agus e/ san = am sin ar f^earaibh la/idire an p^obail. = "`Dar fiadh,` ar seisean, `chan f^uil se/ ro+-+t^rom le = baicea/il. Ma/ ta/ aon b^ea/thach sna *Rosa a iomcho/ras e/, = baiceo/laidh mise e/.` = "B^i/ capall beag caol dubh ag *Ne/illi/n_T^aidhg_O/ig = agus c^uathas fa/ n-+a c^oinne. B^i/ oidhche b^rea/gh g^ealaighe = ann agus e/ 'na lag tra/gha, agus ni/or f^an fear ar t^o/in = toighe i d+teach na faire nar imthigh si/os 'na h-+*Oitreach_= Mo/ire. Agus si/os le *Michea/l_Ruadh i g+cuideachta = na cuideachta. To/gadh ma/la na brach' ar *C^ormac_= D^iarmada. Nuair a leigeadh amach e/, lu/b na = h-+iosgadai/ faoi, agus b'+e/igean an ma/la a b^aint de = n-+a d^ruim. `Ta/ se/ ro+-+t^rom,` ar seisean. `Ni/ = b^aiceo/laidh fear ar bith e/.` = "`To/gaidh orm+-+sa e/,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh. = "To/gadh. = "`Leigidh amach e/,` ar seisean. = "Leigeadh. C^uaidh fear anonn fa/ c^oinne an bea/thach = a t^abhairt anall go dti/ n-+a t^aobh. = "`Fa/g an bea/thach,` arsa *Michea/l_Ruadh, agus s^iubhail = se/ anonn gur leag se/ ma/la na brach' ar d^ruim an = b^eathaigh. B^i/ teach *S^orcha_Bige ar b^ruach an c^ladaigh = agus leac s^leamhain o/+'n tra/igh ani/os go dti/ an dorus. = Nuair a t^a/inig an bea/thach 'na c^ladaigh c^uaidh *Michea/l_= Ruadh faoi an m^a/la ari/s agus d'+iomchuir suas an leac = e/ gur f^a/g istuigh sa sgiobo/l e/. = "`'Nois,` ar seisean, `ta/ gearra/n ins na *Rosa a = d+tig leis sac '+iomchur agus fear a d+tig leis a b^aicea/il. = Agus, '+mo s^eandhuine 's mar ta/ me/, cuirfidh me/ cu/ig = p^unta de g^eall ar an f^ear agus ar an g^earra/n c^e/adna = i n-+e/adan aon f^ir agus aon g^earra/in sna tri/ p^obal.`" = "Ba m|h||aith an fear t^ri/ sgo/r go leith e/," arsa m'+athair. =

"'+D^uine, b^i/ a c^uid urraidh uilig ann go bh+fuair se/ = ba/s," arsa *Donnchadh. "Ni/or caitheadh ar c^or ar bith e/. = An la/ b^i/ se/ 'na luighe marbh b^i/ d^a/ g^ualainn agus = muinea/l air a c^uirfeadh maise ar do s^u/ile cinn. Is = maith mo c^uimhne ar an la/ b^i/ se/ marbh. C^onnaic me/ = seanduini/ a b^i/ '+tuitim ar a g+cuid batai/, a' teacht un = a' toighe agus a c^aoineadh go h-+a/rd acfuinneach. = "I d+tra/tha na Fe/il' *Eoin a fuair se|/|'| ba/s. B^i/ a = m^eabhair aige go dti/ an bomaite deireannach agus = e/ la/idir urradhanta. B^i/ me/ istuigh a' fa/gha/il b^a/is = do/, agus ar |||m'anam ata/ in mo c^liabh, '+*F^eidhlimidh, = ma/ c^onnaic me/ a d^ath ariamh aroimhe no/ 'na = d^iaidh a ba c^umhaidheamhla liom 'na/ an do/igh ar = imthigh se/. Cupla bomaite sul a bh+fuair se/ ba/s d'+e/irigh = se/ '+le/im amach as a' leabaidh, b^eir ar a b^ata agus = s^iubhail si/os go dti/ an doras. Ba e/ doras na fairrge = a b^i/ fosgailte agus b^i/ maidi/n ann comh deas agus = t^a/inig o/ s^oin. D'+amharc se/ amach ar an f^airrge g^oirm = agus ar na h-+oilea/in agus ar m^e/ilte geala na *Maoile_= Mo/ire. = "`Ta/ ciu/nas fairrge ann,` ar seisean, `mar = b^i/odh fad o/ s^oin.` = "`Seo '+athair,` arsa a nighean leis, `na/ seasuigh i = bh+fad annsin ar eagla 's gur fuacht a g^eobhfa/ da/ f^eabhas = an la/.` = "P^ill se/ ani/os 'na leabtha. B^i/ gearra/n ceangailte = i g+cu/l an b^alla b^ig. '+Teacht thart leis a' g^earra/n do/ = t^arraing se/ an bata agus b^uail se/ fri/d na leasracha e/. = `La/ de do laethe,` ar seisean, `ba tu/ a b^uailfeadh = an buille.` T^a/inig se/ ani/os go colbha na leabtha, = c^aith se/ an bata sa c^lu/daigh agus c^uaidh a luighe. Ni/or = labhair se/ ni/ ba m^o/. Ni/ rabh an paidiri/n leath+-+ra/idhte = go rabh se/ marbh." = "T^ost an seanchuidhe tamall beag. D'+amharc me/ = fe/in air agus b^i/ deo/ra mo/ra geala 'na rith anuas le = na leicne. = "Go n+dea/naidh Dia '+m^aith air ma/ 's+e/ a t^oil fe/in e/," = arsa m'+athair. =

"Ta/ du/il agam gur geal a lo/isti/n anocht," arsa mo = m^a/thair. = "Mur' bh+fuil se/ go maith," arsa *Donnchadh, ag cumailt = a m^uinchille do na s^u/ile, "go bh+fo/iridh Dia ar a la/n = eile. No/ is beag a b^i/ cosamhail leis... Ni/ rabh = mo/ra/n.... A/, ni/ rabh aon duine." =