e bonfires, nightly, on the hilltops. He doubts not
that the troubles will soon be suppressed, but admits that much blood
may have to be spilt, ere it is done.

"I can bear testimony to the bonfires, for from the top of the keep a
dozen can be seen, any night, blazing among the hills."

"Of course, sir, your messenger, asking Lord Percy to send a body of
men-at-arms here, was despatched before Glendower's attack on Lord
Grey?"

"Certainly; but it is three months, now, since Parliament refused
Glendower's appeal for justice against Lord Grey; and rumours have been
busy, ever since. Some said that he was travelling through the valleys,
accompanied by some of the harpers, who have always taken a leading
part in stirring up the Welsh to insurrection. Some avow that he has
retired to a fortress, and was there weaving designs for the overthrow
of Lord Grey, and even of the whole of the English castles. Some say
that he claims to be a descendant of Llewellyn, and the rightful king
of Wales.

"There is some foundation for this, for I have talked to some of the
better class of Welsh; who have, like Glendower, studied in our
universities. The Welsh are, above all things, fond of long pedigrees,
and can trace, or pretend to trace, the lineage of all their principal
families up to Noah; and some of them admit that there is some ground
for the claim Glendower is said to have made.

"Still, all these rumours make me feel uneasy. As we have had many
years of quiet here, it has not been necessary to keep up more than a
sufficient number of men-at-arms for the defence of this castle. I
might have increased the force, for the people of these parts bear a
deep animosity against the Welsh, and dread them greatly; as they may
well do, from the many wrongs and outrages they have suffered at their
hands. One reason why I have not taken on many men, since the talk of
coming troubles began, is that, close to the border as we are, many
have connections with the Welsh by business or marriage; and these, if
enrolled in the garrison, might serve as spies, and give warning of any
movement we might undertake. I had hoped that Percy could have spared
me a hundred good men-at-arms. I would rather have had his men than
others, because they have been trained in border warfare, by the
constant troubles in Scotland; and would, moreover, come to me with a
better heart than others, since Sir Henry's wife is my sister, and it
is, therefore, almost a fam