CHAPTER X.
IN BERTRAGH CASTLE.
Now, of what befell after that nail had been driven through his hand,Brian learned afterward; though at the time he was unconscious andseemed like to remain so. Hardly had he sagged forward limply when twomen came riding up to the gates demanding instant admittance. One ofthese was of the Dark Master's band, the other was a certain ColonelJames Vere, of the garrison which held Galway for the king.
O'Donnell, who suddenly found himself with greater things on hand thanthe nailing of a prisoner, ordered Brian left where he lay for thepresent, and had the drawbridge lowered in all haste. Colonel Vere, whohad late been in rebellion against his gracious majesty, was now joinedwith Ormond's men against the common enemy, and was in command of thatforce of five hundred pikemen which had been marching to the west.
Knowing this, the Dark Master made ready to set his house in order,since it was known that Vere's men were only a few hours away. Hardlyhad the garrison gone to their posts, leaving Brian in the center of alittle group about the hall doorway, when Colonel Vere rode in and wasreceived in as stately fashion as possible by the Dark Master. It wasnot for nothing that O'Donnell had trimmed his sails to the blast, sincehe was on very good terms with all in Galway.
"Welcome," he exclaimed with a low bow as Vere swung down from hissaddle. "Your men received the provision I sent off yesterday?"
"Aye, and thankful we were!" cried the other cheerily, for he was ared-faced man of forty, a Munsterman and half-English, and loved hisbottle. "Hearing certain news from one of your men I made bold to rideahead in all haste, O'Donnell."
"News?" repeated the Dark Master softly. "And of what nature, ColonelVere?"
"Why, of one Brian Buidh, or Yellow Brian." At this the Dark Masterbegan to finger the Spanish blade he had taken from Brian, and for asecond Vere was very near to death, had he known it.
"What of him, Colonel Vere?"
"Why, the rogue had the impudence to come down on a convoy of powder andstores, last week, going from the Archbishop at Ennis to Malbay, for ouruse. Not only this, but a hundred of our rascally Scots deserted to him,he slipped past us at Galway, and I was in hopes you could give me wordof him when I hit over this way. You're something of a ravager yourself,sink me if you aren't!" and he dug the Dark Master jovially in theribs.
"Yes," murmured O'Donnell thoughtfully, "so they say, Colonel Vere. Butonly when Parliament men come past, you understand. So you heard thatthis Yellow Brian was here?"
"Aye, and that you were doing him to death," coolly responded Vere, andhis eyes flickered to the white form on the stones. "Zounds! What'sthis?"
"Yellow Brian," responded the Dark Master dryly. "What do you want withhim?"
"Eh? Why, I'll take him back to Galway and hang him! I've a dozen of theScots he was fool enough to let loose, and when my men come up they'llidentify him readily enough."
"Unless he's dead," chuckled O'Donnell. "Well, if you want him you mayhave him and welcome. So now come in and sample some prime sack I tookfrom the O'Malleys last year."
"With all the honors," responded Vere gallantly, and as they strode pastBrian the Dark Master hastily directed that he be washed and tended andbrought back to his right mind as soon as might be.
This order, and the conversation preceding it, gave Red Murrough somecause for thought. So it was that when Brian wakened once more in hiscell, as evening was falling, he found the fetters on him indeed, butRed Murrough had bound up his wounds, dressed his sundered hand-bones,and was sitting watching him reflectively. It had occurred to the DarkMaster's lieutenant that there might be something made out of this man,who seemed wanted in several places at once.
Therefore it was that while Brian made an excellent meal for a manswathed from crown to knees in bandages, Red Murrough poured into hisear the tale of what had chanced in the courtyard, and why it was thathe was not at this moment nailed to the castle door. Brian collected hisenergy with some effort.
"Well, what of it?" he asked weakly.
"Just this, Yellow Brian," and Murrough stroked his matted red beardeasily. "O'Donnell will make a good thing out of handing you over to theroyalists, who mean to hang you in style, it seems. Now, it is in mymind that it might advantage you somewhat if you were not moved thencefor a few days--indeed, you might even escape, for I think you are notwithout friends."
"Eh?" Brian stared up at him wonderingly. "What does it matter to you?"
"Nothing, whether you live or die. But you are in my care, and if Ireport that you are in too bad shape to be moved--which you arenot--then this Colonel Vere will camp outside our castle until you arehanded over to him. You will gain a few days in which to get your witsback, and the rest is in your hands."
"I had not thought you loved me so much," and despite his agony Brianforced out a bitter laugh.
"Not I! Faith, I had liefer see you nailed--but a service may be paidfor."
"I have no money," Brian closed his eyes wearily.
"No, but you have friends," and Murrough leaned forward. "Promise me aclerkly writing to the Bird Daughter's men, or to your own men, orderingthat I be paid ten English pounds, and it is done."
"With pleasure," smiled Brian wryly. "Also, if I escape, I will spareyour life one day, Red Murrough."
"Good. Then play your part." And Murrough departed well pleased with hisacumen.
And indeed, the man carried out his bargain more than faithfully. Onevisit assured the Dark Master that this broken, burned, cloth-swathedman was helpless to harm him further, and after that he gave Brianlittle thought.
As Murrough had reckoned Brian's swoop on the convoy had given him somenotoriety, and more than once Brian himself remembered Cathbarr's darkpresage after he had let the ten Scots go free to Ennis; Colonel Verewas anxious to carry him back to Galway for an example to otherfreebooters, and he was quite content to bide at Bertragh Castle untilhis prisoner could travel.
For that matter the other officers of his command were quite as contentas he himself, since all were men from the south-country who loved goodwines, and the Dark Master had better store of these than the emptyroyalist commissariat.
As for the Dark Master, Murrough reported to Brian that he also was wellcontent. Cromwell was sweeping like an avenging flame from Kilkenny toMallow and Ormond was helpless before him; both king's men and IrishConfederacy men were pouring out of the South in despair, but the twohad finally joined forces and the final stand would take place in theWest. In fact, it seemed that things were dark for Parliament, despiteCromwell's activity, and the Dark Master was only one of many such whocounted strongly on the rumors that the new king, Charles II, was on hisway to Ireland with aid from France.
And indeed he was at that time; but Charles, then and later, was moreapt at starting a thing than at finishing it.
Red Murrough lost no time in getting his "clerkly writing," luckily forhimself. On the morning after his agreement he brought Brian a quill,and blood for lack of ink, and sheepskin. Brian wrote the order for tenpounds, promising to honor it himself if he escaped.
This, however, did not seem likely, and even Murrough frankly statedthat it was impossible. But Brian was tended well, and his perfecthealth was a strong asset. His head had been little more than scorched,and the scalp-wound stayed clean; after the first day there came afestering in his broken hand, but Murrough washed it out with vinegarwhich ate out the wound and cleansed it, after which he bound it firmlyin wooden splints and it promised well.
More than once Brian laughed grimly at the care he was getting, to thesimple end that he should hang over Galway gates as a warning to theCity of the Tribes and to all who entered the ancient Connacian town.For in that day Galway was a second Venice, and its commerce made richplundering for the O'Malley's both of Gorumna and of Erris in the North,though the war had somewhat dimmed the glory of the fourteen greatmerchant families.
Brian wondered often what had become of Cathbarr and his two hundredmen, and Murrough could give him little satisfacti
on. It was known thatthe force had slipped away from Cathbarr's tower and had vanished; Brianguessed that Turlough had either led them north, or else into thewestern mountains where the O'Flahertys held savage rule. However, itwas certain that neither the Dark Master nor the royalists had scatteredthem as yet.
So Brian lay in his tower four days and might have lain there four-scoremore by dint of Red Murrough's lies, had it not been that on the fourthevening Colonel Vere managed to stay unexpectedly sober. Being thussober, it occurred to him that he had best make sure he had the rightman by the heels. So he ordered his ten Scots troopers in from the campoutside the walls, and the Dark Master sent for Brian to be identified.
"I'll have you carried down," said Red Murrough on coming for him. "Playthe part, _ma boucal_, and when these royalists get into their cupsagain they'll forget all that is in their heads. Here's a cup of winebefore ye go, and another for myself. _Slainte!_"
"_Slainte_," repeated Brian, and went forth to play his part.
When the four men, with Red Murrough at their head, carried him downinto the great hall, Brian found it no little changed. Tables were setalong the walls, each of them being some ten feet in length by two wide,of massive oak, and in the center was another at which sat O'Donnell,Colonel Vere, and one or two other officers. Besides these there were ascore more of the royalist officers mingled with the Dark Master's men,and it seemed that there would be few sober men in that hall bymidnight, from the appearance of things. Only the ten Scots stood calmand dour before the fireplace.
After that first quick glance around, Brian lay with his head back andhis eyes closed, careful not to excite O'Donnell's suspicion that he wasstronger than he seemed. He was set down in front of the ten Scots, andthere was an eager craning forward of men to look at him, for his namewas better known than himself.
"Zounds!" swore Vere thickly. "The man has a strong and clean-cut face,O'Donnell! Strike me dead if he does not look like that painting ofO'Neill, the Tyrone Earl, that hangs in the castle at Dublin! Though forthat matter there is little enough of his face to be seen. You must haveborne hardly on him with your cursed tortures."
"I fancy he is an O'Neill bastard," returned the Dark Master lightly.Brian felt the red creep into his face, but he knew that he was helplessin his chains, and he lay quiet. "Is he your man, Vere?"
"How the devil should I know?" Vere turned to the troopers and spoke inEnglish. "Well, boys, is this the fellow we're after? Speak up now!"
"It's no' sae easy tae ken," returned one cautiously. "Yon man has thelook o' Brian Buidh, aye."
"Devil take you!" cried Vere irritably. "Do you mean to say yes or no?Speak out, one of you!"
"Weel, Colonel," answered another cannily, "Jock here has the right ofit. I wouldna swear tae the pawky carl, but I'd ken the een o' him fullweel. An I had a peep in his een, sir. I'm thinkin' I'd ken theirde'il's look. Eh, lads?"
Since it seemed agreed that they would know Brian better by his hardblue eyes than by what they could see of his face, the exasperated Verecommanded that he be made open them if he were unconscious.
"Run your hand down his body, Murrough," ordered the Dark Mastercynically.
Red Murrough leaned over Brian, and the latter opened his eyes withoutwaiting for the rough command to be obeyed. Instantly the Scots brokeinto a chorus of recognition as Brian's gaze fell on them. Vere lookedat him with an admiring laugh.
"Sink me, but the man has eyes! Well, so much the better for the ladies,eh? Now that this is over, give the lad a rouse and send him back to hiscell."
He waved the Scots to begone, and rose cup in hand. Smiling evilly, theDark Master joined him in the toast to Brian, and a yell of delightbroke from the crowd as they caught the jest and joined in. O'Donnellwas just motioning Murrough to have Brian taken away, when there came asudden interruption, as a man hastened up the hall. It was one of Vere'spikemen.
"There is a party of four horsemen just outside our camp, colonel. Oneof them bade us get safe-conduct for him from O'Donnell Dubh, upon hishonor."
"Eh?" the Dark Master snarled suddenly. "What was his name, fool?"
"Cathbarr of the Ax, lord."
A thrill shot through Brian, and he tried feebly to sit up. The DarkMaster flashed him a glance. The hall had fallen silent.
"His business?"
"He bears word from one called the Bird Daughter, he said."
While the royalists stared, wondering what all this boded, O'Donnell bithis lips in thought. Finally he nodded.
"Let the man enter, and tell him that he has my honor for hissafe-conduct."
Vere nodded, and the pikeman departed. Instantly the hall broke intouproar, but leaving the table, the Dark Master crossed swiftly toBrian, and bent over him.
"Either swear to keep silence, or I have you gagged."
"I promise," mumbled Brian as if he were very weak. The Dark Masterordered him carried behind one of the tables close by, and a cloak flungover him. When it had been done, Brian found that he could see withoutbeing seen, which was the intent of O'Donnell.
Meanwhile the Dark Master was telling Vere and the other officers ofCathbarr, it seemed, and Vere hastily collected his wine-strickensenses.
"Nuala O'Malley, eh?" he exclaimed when the Dark Master had finished."She is the one who has held Gorumna Castle and would make no treatywith us, though she has more than once sent us powder, I understand."
"I will talk with you later concerning her," returned O'Donnell. "She isallied with Parliament, they say, and it might be well for all of us ifships were sent against her place from Galway, and she were reduced."
Brian saw that things were going badly. The Dark Master seemed to beplaying his cards well, and was doubtless thinking of throwing off thecloak and openly allying himself with the royalist cause. In this way hecould secure help against Gorumna in the shape of Galway ships and men,and it was like to go hard with the Bird Daughter in such case.
However, Vere had no power to treat of such things, as Brian well knew.Also, Nuala had told him herself that her ships had not preyed on thecommerce of Galway's merchants, but only on certain foreign carackswhich free-traded along the coast. Therefore the Galwegians were not aptto make a troublesome enemy in haste, even if she were proved to be inalliance with Cromwell.
None the less, the Dark Master was plainly thinking of making an effortin this direction, and Brian knew that the Bird Daughter was in no shapeto carry things with a high hand in Galway town.
He saw Vere and the Dark Master talking earnestly together across thetable, but could not hear their words--and it was well, indeed, for himthat he could not. As he was to find shortly, O'Donnell's quick brainhad already grasped at what lay behind Cathbarr's coming, or somethingof it, and he had formed the devilish scheme on the instant--that schemewhich was to result in many things then undreamed of.
"If I had followed Turlough's rede, there when I first met this devil,"thought Brian bitterly, "I had slain him upon the road, and that wouldhave been an end of it. Well, I think that I shall heed Turlough Wolfnext time--if there is a next time."
Brian looked out from his shelter with troubled eyes, for there wassomething in the wind of which he had no inkling. He saw Vere break intoa sudden coarse laugh, and a great light of evil triumph shot acrossO'Donnell's face. Then the Dark Master gained his feet, gathered hiscloak about his hunched shoulders, and sent Murrough to stand guard overBrian with a pistol and to shoot if he spoke out.
"Surely he cannot be going back on his word, passed before so many men?"thought Brian bitterly. "No, that would shame him before all Galway, andhe is proud in his way. But what the devil can be forward?"
To that he obtained no answer. The Dark Master shoved his table backtoward the fireplace, and placed his chair in front of it beside that ofColonel Vere. It seemed to Brian that the stage was being set for somegrim scene, and a great fear seized on him lest harm was in truth meanttoward Cathbarr.
No doubt the giant had been in communication with the Bird Daughter,
andit had been ascertained that the galley had come to grief at BertraghCastle. A sudden thrill of hope darted through Brian. Was it possiblethat Cathbarr had led down his men and placed them in readiness toattack? Yet such a thing would have been madness--to set a scant twohundred against Vere's pikemen and the Dark Master's force combined!
But Brian knew that Turlough Wolf was at large, and Turlough's brain wasmore cunning than most.
If he could only get free, he thought, he might still be able to dosomething. He could ride, though it would mean bitter pain, and hissword-arm was still good--but he had got no farther than this when therecame a tramping of feet, and in the doorway appeared Cathbarr, hismighty ax in hand, with the O'Donnells around him as jackals surround alion.