-at-arms than he will ever make a monk. I believe it pleased
him more that I worsted Sinclair--which indeed was a small thing to do,
seeing that he had no idea of fighting, save of charging straight at a
foe--than at the progress I made at my books. He commands the
contingent that the monastery sends, when Percy takes the field to
repel an invasion; and, could he have his own will, would gladly
exchange a monk's robes for the harness of a man-at-arms. I would wish
for no stouter companion in the fray."

The speed with which he had performed his journeys, and the
intelligence which he showed in carrying out his missions and reporting
on their issue, earned for the lad an increasing amount of liking and
confidence, on the part of his lord. It was not only that he delivered
the replies to Hotspur's messages accurately; but his remarks, upon the
personal manner and bearing of those to whom he was sent, were of still
greater value to Percy. Naturally, all had promised to have their
contingent of fighting men ready, in case of serious invasion by the
Scots; but Oswald was able to gather, from their manner, whether the
promises would surely be fulfilled; or whether, in case of trouble, the
knights were more likely to keep their array for the defence of their
own castles than to join Percy in any general movement.

One day, when Oswald had been engaged six months at this work, which
had taken him several times into Cumberland and Westmoreland, as well
as the north, Lord Percy summoned him to his private apartment.

"Hitherto you have done well, Oswald, and I feel now that I can trust
you with a mission of far higher importance than those you have
hitherto performed. 'Tis not without its dangers, but I know that you
will like it none the less for that reason. You are young, indeed, for
business of such importance; but it seems to me that, of those around
me, you would be best fitted to carry it out. Your manner of speech has
changed much, since you came here; but doubtless you can fall at will
into the border dialect, which differs little from that on the other
side; and you can pass, well enough, as coming from Jedburgh, or any
other place across the border.

"All the world knows, lad, that George, Earl of March and Dunbar, was
mightily offended at Rothesay breaking off the match with his daughter,
and marrying the child of his rival Douglas; but now I am going to tell
you what the world does not know, and which is a secret