noon
Brian had lost in all fifty men in that battle , while the Dark Master had given Cathbarr a goodly thrust through the shoulder , which had let out most of the giant 's vanity and promised to give the huge ax some time to rest and rust . So , then , Brian found himself heading two hundred and fifty men of his own , with Nuala 's hundred O'Malleys , when they rode down again to Bertragh Castle . This had been left in charge of a hundred men under Red Murrough , who had not been slain , but only wounded by Cathbarr 's fist , that night in the great hall . Having left a party to bring in the wounded in wagons from the farms , they arrived before the castle shortly after noon . Cathbarr was left in charge of the camp , and Brian rode up to the gates with Nuala and her two kinsmen , with a flag of truce . Murrough and his men were put into consternation by the news Brian gave them . After much stroking of his matted beard , Murrough proposed to surrender the castle on condition that he hold his post of lieutenant .