The Four Masters tell us briefly that the Tuatha De Dananns gave the sovereignty to Breas, son of Ealathan, "while the hand of Nuada was under cure," and mentions that Breas resigned the kingdom to him in the seventh year after the cure of his hand.
A more detailed account of this affair may be found in one of our ancient historic tales, of the class called _Catha_ or _Battles_, which Professor O'Curry pronounces to be "almost the earliest event upon the record of which we may place sure reliance."[37] It would appear that there were two battles between the Firbolgs and Tuatha De Dananns, and that, in the last of these, Nuada was slain.

According to this ancient tract, when the Firbolg king heard of the arrival of the invaders, he sent a warrior named Sreng to reconnoitre their camp.

The Tuatha De Dananns were as skilled in war as in magic; they had sentinels carefully posted, and their _videttes_ were as much on the alert as a Wellington or a Napier could desire.

The champion Breas was sent forward to meet the stranger.

As they approached, each raised his shield, and cautiously surveyed his opponent from above the protecting aegis.