Cumberland, we care not whether one noble or another
has the king's ear. We have but just returned, from England."

"Well, man, I may put you in the way of getting a job, if you want
one," the eldest of the party said. "I myself have a small farm, near
Lavingston, and but breed cattle for the Edinburgh market; but I have a
brother, at Lanark, who buys cattle up in the north; and, when there is
peace between the countries, sends the droves down to Carlisle, and
makes a good profit on their sales. I saw him but two hours ago, and he
told me that he was daily expecting a lot of cattle from the north; and
that he intended to send them on, without delay, to Carlisle. If you
say to him that you have seen me, and that I recommended you to call on
him, and see if he wanted any drovers to aid in taking them down; I
doubt not he will take you on, unless he has already engaged men."

"I thank you for the offer," Roger said, "but our home lies near
Roxburgh, and we intend to abide there for a time; for the roads are by
no means safe, at present. Douglas is thinking more of his quarrel with
Dunbar than of keeping down border freebooters. We escaped them this
time; but we heard of their taking heavy toll from some herds that
followed us, and of their killing two or three drovers who offered
objection; so we have determined to abide at home, for a time, to see
how matters go."

After taking a brief view of the town they started, in the afternoon,
to walk to Dalkeith, where they slept; and, leaving there at daybreak,
crossed a lofty range of hills, and came down into Lauderdale. They had
no fear of any interruption such as they had experienced before--as,
had Douglas news of negotiations going on between March and England, he
would not think it necessary to watch the road between Edinburgh and
the border--and late in the evening they arrived at Ancrum, on the
Teviot, having done fully fifty miles, since starting.

Ten miles in the morning took them to Roxburgh. Here they put up at a
small tavern, and Oswald donned the servitor's suit that he had brought
with him from Dunbar; while Roger, to his great disgust, resumed his
monk's gown, which he put on over the drover's suit.

Oswald then went to the governor's. His former acquaintance happened to
be at the door, and endeavoured to atone for his former rudeness, by at
once ushering him to the governor's room.

"Welcome back, Master Forster!" the latter said. "Your mission,
whatever