sworn to burn to the ground every stone that stood on the land that had
been their father's, and to slay Nathos, and wed the Star-eyed Deirdre.

So in their great galley they set forth, taking with them fifty men.
Northward they sailed, through narrow sea-lochs, until they reached the
mountains that had been the childhood's home of their dead mother.

On the summit of a high hill stood the castle where she had once dwelt.
Now it was forsaken of all save wandering shepherds and nesting birds, and
here, in all the glory of spring, did the sons of Usna make their home.
Nor was it long before the chiefs of the mountain-lands swore allegiance
to Nathos and did him homage, and he was as a king among the people of his
mother's land.

And while yet the wild thyme bloomed, word was brought to the sons of Usna
that the King of Alba was dead, and that the King who now reigned would
fain sign a bond of friendship with Nathos and his brothers.

And the bond was signed, and for three years the sons of Usna dwelt in
peace and great joy. In the north they rested while yet the mountain-sides
were aglow with the purple and gold of heather and bracken, but ever
before the first frosts came would they sail south to the land that the
brave Usna had ruled, where now they could dwell in safety and in peace.

Thence ofttimes in the young summer would they sail southwards. No bluer
blue, no greener green, had it been given mortal eye to behold. And
throughout the land of Alba was it told of the fame of the sons of Usna,
and no poet or bard had a song so fair as that which sang of the wondrous
beauty of Deirdre.