uccess that he came to be
regarded as one of the first captains of the age.

At Otterburn, his impetuosity cost him his freedom; for, pressing
forward into the midst of the Scotch army, he and his brother Ralph
were taken prisoners, and carried into Scotland. He had just been
appointed, by King Henry, sheriff of Northumberland, and governor of
Berwick and Roxburgh, and received other marks of royal favour.

Although of no remarkable height, his broad shoulders and long, sinewy
arms testified to his remarkable personal strength. His face was
pleasant and open, and showed but small sign of his impetuous and fiery
disposition.

"So this is the young springal," he said, with a smile; as, with a
quick glance, he took in every detail of Oswald's figure and
appearance. "By my troth, you have not overpraised him. He bears
himself well, and is like to be a stout fighter, when he comes to his
full strength. Indeed, as the son of John Forster of Yardhope, and as
your nephew, good Alwyn, he could scarce be otherwise; although I have
not heard that either his father, or you, ever showed any disposition
for letters."

"No indeed, Sir Henry; nor have we, as far as I have ever seen, been
any the worse for our lack of knowledge on that head. But with the lad
here, it is different. Under your good patronage he may well hope to
attain, by good conduct and valour, a promotion where book learning may
be of use to him; and therefore, when he expressed a desire to learn, I
did my best to favour his design."

"And you did well, Alwyn. And since he has gained so much, in so short
a time, it were a pity he should not follow it up; and he shall, if it
likes him, so long as he is in this castle, have two hours every
morning in which he can visit the fighting monk, until he can read and
write freely.

"Now, young sir, the question is, how can we best employ you? You are
too old for a lady's bower, but not old enough, yet, for an esquire."

"Nor could I aspire to such a position, my lord, until I have proved
myself worthy of it. My uncle told me that he had suggested that I
might be useful as a bearer of messages, and orders; and as I know
every foot of the border, from near Berwick to Cumberland, methinks
that I might serve you in that way. I ride lightly, know every morass
and swamp, and every road through the fells; and have at times, when
there was peace, crossed the Cheviots by several of the passes, to pay
visits to my mother's sister