y the fact that the
terms of many of the truces specifically permitted those who had
suffered losses on either side to pursue their plunderers across the
border. These raids were not accompanied by bloodshed, except when
resistance was made; for between the people, descended as they were
from a common stock, there was no active animosity, and at ordinary
times there was free and friendly intercourse between them.

There were, however, many exceptions to the rule that unresisting
persons were not injured. Between many families on opposite sides of
the border there existed blood feuds, arising from the fact that
members of one or the other had been killed in forays; and in these
cases bitter and bloody reprisals were made, on either side. The very
border line was ill defined, and people on one side frequently settled
on the other, as is shown by the fact that several of the treaties
contained provisions that those who had so moved might change their
nationality, and be accounted as Scotch or Englishmen, as the case
might be.

Between the Forsters and the Bairds such a feud had existed for three
generations. It had begun in a raid by the latter. The Forster of that
time had repulsed the attack, and had with his own hand killed one of
the Bairds. Six months later he was surprised and killed on his own
hearthstone, at a time when his son and most of his retainers were away
on a raid. From that time the animosity between the two families had
been unceasing, and several lives had been lost on both sides. The
Bairds with a large party had, three months before, carried fire and
sword through the district bordering on the main road, as far as Elsdon
on the east, and Alwinton on the north. News of their coming had,
however, preceded them. The villagers of Yardhope had just time to take
refuge at Forster's hold, and had repulsed the determined attacks made
upon it; until Sir Robert Umfraville brought a strong party to their
assistance, and drove the Bairds back towards the frontier.

The present raid, from which the party was returning, had been
organized partly to recoup those who took part in it for the loss of
their cattle on that occasion, and partly to take vengeance upon the
Bairds. As was the custom on both sides of the border, these
expeditions were generally composed of members of half a dozen
families, with their followers; the one who was, at once, most
energetic and best acquainted with the intricacies of the country