med to Brian that the stage was being set for some
grim scene, and a great fear seized on him lest harm was in truth meant
toward Cathbarr.

No doubt the giant had been in communication with the Bird Daughter, and
it had been ascertained that the galley had come to grief at Bertragh
Castle. A sudden thrill of hope darted through Brian. Was it possible
that Cathbarr had led down his men and placed them in readiness to
attack? Yet such a thing would have been madness--to set a scant two
hundred against Vere's pikemen and the Dark Master's force combined!

But Brian knew that Turlough Wolf was at large, and Turlough's brain was
more cunning than most.

If he could only get free, he thought, he might still be able to do
something. He could ride, though it would mean bitter pain, and his
sword-arm was still good--but he had got no farther than this when there
came a tramping of feet, and in the doorway appeared Cathbarr, his
mighty ax in hand, with the O'Donnells around him as jackals surround a
lion.

CHAPTER XI.

THE BAITING OF CATHBARR.

The bearded giant still wore the long mail-shirt that reached to his
knees, and he paused at the doorway with his eyes roving about the hall.
Well did Brian know whom he sought, but it was vain, for Cathbarr could
not see him where he lay.

Then Brian saw that the ax had been changed, and wondered at it. One of
the long, back-curving blades had been rubbed down with files, so that
it was very tapering and thin like an ordinary ax-blade, while the other
was still the blunt, heavy thing it had always been. Brian read the
cunning of Turlough Wolf in that handiwork, and in fact the great ax was
thus rendered tenfold more deadly.

The Dark Master waited quietly until Cathbarr began a slow advance up
the hall, all eyes fixed on him in no little wonder. Then O'Donnell
raised a hand, stopping him.

"Let us have your message, Cathbarr."

The giant halted and dropped the ax-head, leaning on the haft of the
weapon. He took his time about replying, however, and his eyes still
roved about the hall ceaselessly and uneasily. Then of a sudden he gave
over the search, and gazed straight at the Dark Master with a swift
word:

"Have you slain him?"

"Slain who, Cathbarr?" queried O'Donnell, with a thin smile.

"_Duar na Criosd!_" bellowed Cathbarr with sudden fury. "Who but my
friend Brian?"

"Oh!" The Dark Master laughed and eased back in his chair. "No, he's
still alive, Cathba