Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 2, 2025
To his amazement Cathbarr did not follow him, but stood waiting for him to recover; he had not looked for such courtesy on the west coast. He sprang back into his defense, desperate now. Again the ax whirled, seeming a part of the giant himself, and Brian knew that he was lost if he waited for it.
So you bring me before the Dark Master ax in hand, reduced to your service instead of his, my men added to yours oh, it is a jest, brother, a jest! I think that O'Donnell will slay us both on the spot!" "Not if your axmen are true," retorted Brian. Cathbarr laughed again. "They fear me and they love me, brother," he cried, gazing back at the file of horsemen.
"That I am," laughed Brian, "and soon, for I am overweary with riding. Try it, Cathbarr, and you will be glad of it." "Not I! Since there is no bracken here the floor is good enough for me. Eh, but this sea-woman will have a thought in her mind over your message, brother!"
The road wound a hundred yards below, and Cathbarr had already fallen on the vanguard. The Scots were riding forward to whelm him when Brian's men drove down with a wild yell and smote the length of their flank. Brian hewed his way to the side of Cathbarr, and then the sword and ax flashed side by side.
"Unless, indeed, you break that oath you swore this morning." "Not I," returned Brian shortly. "I am not given to light oaths or light pacts, Bird Daughter. I think I shall get me a ship and go cruising some day." "Come with me," she said, rising, "and you may win food and wine without begging from your overlord. Well, now for that chamber Cathbarr fixed up for me. Beannacht leath!"
But not until these things have been done, for Brian O'Neill will give fealty to none no, not even to the Bird Daughter herself." Thus he thought in his proud bitterness, reckoning not on what the future was to bring forth. However, he had lost his idea that Nuala might love Cathbarr, and had great gladness of it.
Now there was work to be done, and Brian soon found himself too busy to bother his mind with thoughts of bitterness. Cathbarr had done no little drinking, so that his wound was turning bad, and in no little alarm Brian banished all liquors from him and tended him carefully. Taking a lesson from Red Murrough, he washed out the wound with vinegar, and found that this had its effect.
He was forced against the body of Cathbarr, and swirl after swirl of pain went over him at each touch on his burns. The giant grunted once or twice, for he had many slight wounds also, but with the rope gripped in hands and feet, he lowered away steadily. At length they reached the ground, and the scattered rocks along the shore were but a few yards away.
He realized well that his men must be drawn together by fighting, that they must learn a perfect confidence in him, and that they must earn their sustenance for the time being. Cathbarr already knew of old Turlough's mission, and of course approved, since in his eyes Brian could do no wrong. What was more, reflected Brian, he could not make this alliance empty-handed.
Brian saw Turlough behind that tale, but Cathbarr was no man to carry it off with success. "Well," laughed the Dark Master, "none the less shall Brian be slain. Carry back that word to Nuala O'Malley." Cathbarr's mighty chest heaved like a barrel near to bursting. Brian was minded to break his promise, but Murrough's pistol was at his head, and he could but lie quietly and watch.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking