es
in the north. Many of them chose to remain, and certain of his men knew
of women-folk they wished to bring hither, so that Brian saw he would
not lack for farmers and settlers. Enough fodder was obtained to keep
his horses for a time; but as this did not satisfy him, he set forth
after four days on a cattle-raid to the northeast, riding past the
Manturks toward Ashford with ninety men.

He was gone on that raid five days; found to his great joy that his
strength had returned to him, and also found a small party of Royalist
horse near Lough Corrib. These had been buying up cattle for the Galway
garrison, and had collected fifty head; but on Brian's approach they did
not stay for dispute, but fled.

So Brian cheerfully sent the fifty head of cattle home with as many men,
and with the others swept around through the mountains. With him were
two of Cathbarr's axmen, and they led him to the hold occupied by
Murrough O'Flaherty of the Kine, where Brian stayed half a day. He
concluded a friendship with the mountaineers, promising them powder in
exchange for cattle, and they promised, in turn, that within three weeks
they would fetch a hundred kine down to Castle Bertragh.

Having thus assured himself of both food and stock for his farms, he
rode home again, to find great news awaiting him.

First, there had come a galley from Gorumna with wine and stores. Nuala
sent word that her men in Galway had informed her the Dark Master was
there, but in no high favor with Lord Burke and the other commanders.
Second, one of Turlough Wolf's men had come in with news which had
caused Cathbarr to have the men in all readiness against Brian's return.

The Dark Master was indeed in Galway town, and had made small head with
his suit for men, having related that Vere and his pikemen were lost.
However, he had been promised some help, provided he could gather any
force of his own and would hold Bertragh for the Royalists. Cromwell had
been driven back at Waterford, but Cork had risen for him, and his men
had entered there.

So the Dark Master was going to the north to get him men in Sligo, as
Turlough had predicted he would do, and his plan was to raise a force,
bring down those Donegal pirates with whom he was in alliance, and set
on Bertragh by sea and land, as Brian himself had aimed at doing.
Turlough said that he was following, but would leave men at Swineford
and Tobercurry with further news of what happed.

"Good!" cried Brian