ted.

"When we strike, we must strike to win," he said shrewdly. "The Dark
Master has more men than we, and the sea is at his back, and they say he
is a warlock to boot."

The giant stared and crossed himself at talk of warlocks, but Brian
laughed out.

"I have a plan," he said, fingering his sword. "O'Donnell watches all
the hill-paths like a hawk, even now in winter. Those wagons are of no
great use to us, and we can store the goods here in the tower for the
present. Get it done to-night, Cathbarr, and get the accouterments from
two of those largest Scots for yourself and me."

Turlough Wolf chuckled suddenly, and Brian knew that the old man had
pierced to something of his plan. But not all.

"Turlough," he went on as the scheme came to him more clearly, "at dawn
ride out with a hundred men to that hill-road where first we met the
Dark Master. Hide the men in the hills, and be ready to ride hard when
the time comes. Cathbarr, before the dawn breaks have the wagons start
out with twenty of the Scots troopers as escort. Bid as many more as can
lie down in the wagons and cover up close with their muskets. Send a man
or two with them to guide to that hill-road of which I spoke. We will
ride after and catch them up shortly after sunrise."

"Good!" roared out the giant, whose brains lay all in his ax. "And the
Dark Master will swoop down to the feast, eh?"

"He will not," returned Brian dryly. "He will send two or threescore men
upon us, and it is my purpose to take as many of these prisoner as may
be."

Cathbarr stared, and Turlough's gray eyes squinted up at Brian.

"How is this, master?" he asked inquiringly. "It is too good a trap to
waste on prisoners--"

"My plan is my plan," said Brian briefly. "I am not making war on
O'Donnell, but I intend to pay tribute to the Bird Daughter, and that
right soon. While we are gone have a score of men remain here and build
huts on the cliffs, Cathbarr."

Turlough fell to staring into the fire, divining the plan at length, and
Cathbarr went out to fulfil his orders. Brian knew well that there was
danger in the scheme, but he determined to deal with one thing at a
time, and thoroughly. Just at present he was intent on forming an
alliance with Nuala O'Malley, for ships and cannon were needful before
he could nip the Dark Master in his hold. It was going to cost the lives
of men, and he made up his mind not to pause for that. If he was to live
and make head it must be by t