Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

230 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
AU resistance was soon quelled, and the torches which had been flung ,
down by the affrighted attendants, left the hall in almost total darkness.
" Bring forward a flambeau," shouted Lorn.
When the glare lighted up the apartment, Brian was seen standing at
the further end of the hall clutching his battle-axe with both hands, and
an expression of wild desperation on his features. Cyril and Clement
were holding him back, and Dominick, clutching his girdle, pleaded that
resistance was in vain, j
" Yield, rebel, and your charge !" said Lorn, " Surrender Dunkerlyne i
or die."
" Let Lorn and his slave horde be d d," was the answer of the
chieftain, as he struggled to be free. " Off with your hands. Approach i }
me not, foul tyrant, if you would live to exult o'er your conquest."
" Clamour no more, drunken fool," said Lorn. " Submit, or die the
death. Seize upon the villains. Bind me each one of them."
'' Not so easily done, my lord," exclaimed Brian, breaking away, and
heaving his axe aloft. " My weapon must first drink blood. Tyrant be
wary."
So saying, he delivered a desperate blow, but Lorn parried it swiftly.
Swinging his axe round again. Lorn struck fearfully at the chieftain.
Brian was equal in dexterity, however, and putting the return blow aside,
he whirled his ponderous weapon with fatal desperation to all who came
within its compass. One or two of the jackmen who had rushed to the
assistance of Lorn were felled to the floor.
" Stand back !" shouted Lorru " Leave the old wolf to me."
Obeying the command, all stood by watching the fight with the in-
tensest interest. Eire flashed from the steel, and pieces of armour were
splintered by the hacking blows.
The combat was continued with great fierceness. Blinded with the
blood that ran into his eyes, Brian received a fearful cut. The axe of
Lorn went crashing through the helmet, Brian swung on his feet and
staggered back with a vain attempt to throw aside his clotted locka
Another blow laid the old man prostrate. As he fell he was heard to mut-
ter something faintly about Dermond and revenge. The good friar ran
forward and unhelmed him. He pressed the emblem of salvation to his
lifeless lips. The features gave some nervous twitches, and the blood
flowed from a horrid gash ; the eyes became fixed and glazed ; and the
countenance became calm and composed, as the muscles and wrinkles re-
laxed, giving an air of peace and innocence in death to a man who in life
was terrible and violent,
[End of Book I.] '^
BOOKS KECEIVED.— "Old Celtic Komances," translated from the Gaelic by i';
P. W, Joyce, LL.D., T.C.D., M.R.I. A. ; C. Kegan Paul & Co., London. " Histoey OV
Ireland," vol. ii., by Standish O'Grady j Samson Low & Co., London. "Poems AND
Songs," Gaelic and English, by Mrs Mary Maciiellar ; MaclacUan & Stewart, Edinburgh.
"The Image of the Cross," Hunter, Kose, & Co., Toronto; and "The Dominion
Annual Register, 1878," Dawson Brothers, Montreal. We understand the volume for
1879 is in the press, and will soon be issued. Most of these works we shall hereafter notice
iu the uiual way.