ily quarrel upon which they have entered.

"Had I known, when I wrote, that the king was on his way north, I
should have taken steps to raise my strength elsewhere, as of course
Percy would have occasion to use every lance he could muster. Lord Grey
has sent off a messenger to the king, begging him to denounce this
fellow as an outlaw; and should he be troublesome, he himself may,
after he has done with the Scots, send hither a force; for although we
may hope, with the aid of the levies of the border counties, to drive
back the Welsh in whatever force they may come, 'tis another thing to
march into the mountains. The matter has been tried, again and again,
and has always taxed the power of England to the utmost.

"'Tis of no use lamenting over spilt milk but, for my part, I regret
that Parliament did not give a fair hearing to Glendower's complaint
against Lord Grey. The refusal to do so was a high-handed one. It has
driven this man to desperation, and has enlisted the sympathies of all
Welshmen who have English neighbours; for they cannot but say, among
themselves, 'If he is to be plundered and despoiled, and his complaints
refused a hearing, what is to prevent our being similarly despoiled?
'Tis surely better to take up the sword, at once, and begin again the
fight for our independence.'

"As it is, it may cost thousands of lives, immense efforts, and vast
trouble before things are placed on their former footing.

"Doubtless, the captain of the men-at-arms you have brought is a good
soldier, since Percy says that he is captain of his garrison at
Alnwick!"

"He bears a high reputation in Northumberland, Sir Edmund. I may say
that he is my uncle, and 'tis from his recommendation that Lord Percy,
in the first place, took me into his household."

"I will go down and speak with him," the knight said. "I gave orders,
as soon as I heard who had arrived, that proper entertainment should be
given to all; yet it is but right that I should, myself, go down to
thank them for having come so far; and to welcome their captain, whose
experience will be of no small use to my own men, who have never been
engaged in border war. Some have fought in France, but under conditions
so different that their experience will aid them but little; save,
indeed, if the Welsh grow so strong and so bold that they venture to
attack this castle."

Percy's men, when the knight descended, had indeed sat down to supper
with the retainers of the cas