, and
the paths across fells and moors, being chosen as leader.

Presently, Oswald Forster saw one of the party wave his hand; and at
his order four or five of the horsemen rode out, and began to drive the
scattered cattle and horses towards the house. Oswald at once ran down.

"Father is all right, Mother. He has just given orders to the men, and
they are driving all the animals in, so I suppose that the Bairds must
be in pursuit. I had better tell the men to get on their armour."

Without waiting for an answer, he told six men, who were eating their
breakfast at the farther end of the room, to make an end of their meal,
and get on their steel caps and breast and back pieces, and take their
places in the turret over the gate into the yard. In a few minutes the
animals began to pour in, first those of the homestead, then the
captured herd, weary and exhausted with their long and hurried journey;
then came the master, with his followers.

Mary Forster and her son stood at the top of the steps, ready to greet
him. The gate into the yard was on the opposite side to that of the
doorway of the fortalice, in order that assailants who had carried it
should have to pass round under the fire of the archers in the turrets,
before they could attack the building itself.

She gave a little cry as her husband came up. His left arm was in a
sling, his helmet was cleft through, and a bandage showed beneath it.

"Do not be afraid, wife," he said cheerily. "We have had hotter work
than we expected; but, so far as I am concerned, there is no great harm
done. I am sorry to say that we have lost Long Hal, and Rob Finch, and
Smedley. Two or three others are sorely wounded, and I fancy few have
got off altogether scatheless.

"All went well, until we stopped to wait for daybreak, three miles from
Allan Baird's place. Some shepherd must have got sight of us as we
halted, for we found him and his men up and ready. They had not had
time, however, to drive in the cattle; and seeing that we should like
enough have the Bairds swarming down upon us, before we could take
Allan's place, we contented ourselves with gathering the cattle and
driving them off. There were about two hundred of them.

"We went fast, but in two hours we saw the Bairds coming in pursuit;
and as it was clear that they would overtake us, hampered as we were
with the cattle, we stood and made defence. There was not much
difference in numbers, for the Bairds had not had ti