orse instantly, found the Bird Daughter at his side,
and with a score of men behind them they rode out of the battle in
pursuit. It proved useless, however, for the Dark Master had the better
horseflesh; after half an hour he was gaining rapidly, and with a bitter
groan Brian drew rein at last.

"No use, Nuala," he said. "I must wait until my strength has come back
to me, for I have done too much and can go no farther."

The girl reined in beside him, and her hand went out to his, and he
found himself gazing deep into her eyes.

"For what you have done, Brian," she said simply, "thanks. Now let us
ride back, for I think there is work before us, and we shall see the
Dark Master soon enough."

"I am not minded to wait his coming," quoth Yellow Brian darkly, and
they returned.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK. Don't forget this magazine is issued weekly,
and that you will get the continuation of this story without waiting a
month.

Nuala O'Malley

by H. Bedford-Jones

Author of "Malay Gold," "The Ghost Hill," "John Solomon, Supercargo,"
etc.

This story began in the All-Story Weekly for December 30.

CHAPTER XIII.

BRIAN RIDES TO VENGEANCE.

"Then you are intent on this vengeance, master?" asked Turlough
thoughtfully.

"Yes," answered Brian. "I here take oath that I will never cut hair nor
beard again until I have seen the Dark Master dead."

"You are not like to have a chance at your hair very soon," laughed out
Lame Art O'Malley. "But that is a good oath, Yellow Brian."

"Then I think this is a better plan," spoke up Turlough Wolf. "Give me
ten men, Brian, and I will go to Galway. I will soon get traces of
O'Donnell; and if he goes into the north to get men of his own sept"
(tribe or family), "as I think most likely, I will send back word, and
we can follow him."

"Do it," said Brian, and Turlough was gone that night.

This discussion took place in the hollow, where the fight was soon over
after the flight of the Dark Master. Out of the six hundred who had left
the castle, two hundred had been O'Donnell's men. Half of these remained
and took service with Brian at once. Of the four hundred pikemen, three
hundred had gone down fighting like the stubborn south-country men they
were, and the rest took service with Nuala O'Malley. They were most of
them Kerry men, and well disposed toward ships and piracy.

Brian had lost in all fifty men in that battle, while the Dark Master
had given Cat