r, the rough ground made them
slow their pace. When they were still three miles from the tower,
however, Brian gave a shout.

"Men, Turlough! Cathbarr has sent out men to meet us!"

So, indeed, it proved, and five minutes later a dozen men met them with
yells of delighted welcome. From these overjoyed fellows Brian quickly
learned that Cathbarr was at the tower and that Nuala O'Malley had just
arrived there.

So, leaving them to follow, he and Turlough went on at their best speed,
and twenty minutes later they topped that same long rise from which
Brian had first gazed down on the little promontory where stood
Cathbarr's tower. But now, as he saw what lay beneath, he drew up with a
shout of amazement.

For around the tower and at the base at the neck of land were camped a
goodly force of men, while at anchor near the tower lay--not Nuala's two
ships alone, but also those other two of her kinsmen!

"Those two O'Malleys have returned from the south," exclaimed Turlough
in wild delight. "That means more men and ships, master--we will cut off
those Millhaven pirates to a man!"

Brian sent out a long shout, but his arrival had already been noted. As
he rode down the slope, men poured from the camp and tower, and ahead of
them all came Cathbarr of the Ax, with Nuala and Lame Art and Shaun the
Little behind him.

"Welcome!" bellowed the giant with a huge laugh, pulling Brian from his
horse with a great hug of delight. "Welcome, brother!"

Brian escaped from his grip and bowed over the Bird Daughter's hand. As
he rose, he saw that her face had lost its ruddy hue, and that her eyes
were ringed with darkness. Before he could speak she smiled and gripped
his hand.

"The birds came safe, and we know all. Yesterday arrived these kinsmen
of mine, and their force is joined to our own, Yellow Brian--"

Brian held up his hand, halting her suddenly, and silence fell on the
men who had crowded around. For a moment he gazed into her deep eyes,
then flung up his head and his voice rang clear and stern in the
stillness.

"Lady Nuala," he said quietly, "I promised you that when I slew the Dark
Master I would tell you my name. Before another day has passed I shall
have slain him; and now I tell you and your kinsmen that I renounce all
fealty to you."

At this the Bird Daughter started, staring in amazement, while an abrupt
oath burst from Lame Art. Brian went on calmly.

"This I do because it is not meet that The O'Neill shoul