h.

An eddy in the veil of smoke that hung over the bay showed Brian that
Lame Art's ship had grappled with that of O'Donnell, and with renewed
confidence thrilling in him, he shouted to his men to get aboard the
O'Malley ship. The Bertragh cannon had ceased to thunder as the ships
came together, but from the ships balls were hailing, musketry was
crackling, and the water was tearing into spurting jets around the
boats.

Brian's men fell to their oars in sorry fashion enough, but they made up
in energy what they lacked in skill. Driving past Nuala's ship, Brian
saw that she had also grappled and that the battle was raging over her
bulwarks, but sorely tempted to turn aside though he was, he waved his
men on.

They rowed close under the ship to which she was fastened, and as they
sped past the O'Donnells saw them, and gave them a scattering volley.
One or two of Brian's men went down, and a cry broke from him as he saw
a round shot heaved over into his third boat, sinking her; then they
were past, and bearing down on Art Bocagh's ship.

"Tyr-owen for O'Malley!"

Cathbarr's bellow rose over the tumult, and his boat crashed into the
waist of the ship just as Brian leaped up into the mizzen-chains. His
feet gained hold on a triced-up port, and as he looked down he saw a
swell heave up the two boats, then bring them down together with a
splintering smash.

The result was dire confusion. None of the men were seamen, but some of
them gained the side of Brian, others scrambled in through the ports,
and more than one of them fell short and went down. Standing in the
sinking boat with the water swirling about his ankles, Cathbarr caught
up his ax and leaped; a moment later Brian was over the bulwarks with
the giant at his side, and the O'Malleys welcomed them with a yell of
joy.

They were badly needed, indeed. The Dark Master had led his men in
furious onslaught across the waist of the ship, and Art Bocagh was being
beaten back to the poop despite his stubborn resistance. Brian saw that
the Dark Master's men far outnumbered Art's, while from the rigging of
each ship musketeers were sending down bullets into the melee. With a
shout, Brian and Cathbarr led their men on the O'Donnell flank, and the
tide of battle turned.

At the first instant the rush of men bore Brian against the Dark Master,
who was fighting like a demon. Brian caught the snarl on the other's
pallid face, and struck savagely; O'Donnell parried the blow