are heard
throughout the night. For myself, I believe not these tales, though I
would not take upon myself to say they are false, since everyone knows
that there are men who have dealings with the powers of darkness.
Still, I should have, myself, to see these things, before I gave
credence to them. That, however, makes no difference in the matter;
true or not, they seem to be believed by the Welsh, and cannot but
increase his power.

"Well, we shall soon hear what reply he makes to the proclamation, of
which he will certainly hear, within a few hours of its posting."

The answer, indeed, was not long in coming; for, within a week, a copy
of the reply sent by Glendower to the king appeared, side by side with
every proclamation put up, none knowing who were daring enough to affix
them. In this, Glendower no longer spoke of his grievance against Lord
Grey; but declared that, with the will of the people, he had assumed
the sovereignty of Wales, to which he was legally entitled, by his
descent from her kings. He called upon every Welshman in England to
resort, at once, to his standard.

"The die is cast, now," Sir Edmund said, as he read the paper affixed
to the castle gate. "It is no longer a question whether Glendower is
wrongfully treated by Lord Grey; it is a matter touching the safety of
the realm, and the honour of our lord the king. There is, I have now
learned, some foundation for Owen's claim to be the representative of
the kings of Wales, through his mother, Elinor. She was the eldest
daughter of Elinor the Red, who was daughter and heiress of Catharine,
one of the daughters of Llewellyn, the last Prince of Wales. For aught
I know, there may be others who have a better claim than he; but at
least he has royal blood in his veins.

"At present, that matters little. He has usurped the title of King of
Wales, and is evidently a most ambitious and dangerous fellow; and none
can doubt that this scheme has not just sprung from his brain, but has
long been prepared, and that his quarrel with Lord Grey has but
hastened the outbreak.

"I shall myself ride to Ruthyn, and consult with Lord Grey as to the
measures to be taken. It may be that our forces may be sufficient to
crush the movement, ere it gains strength; though I greatly doubt it.
Still, it would be well that we should act in concert.

"Sir John Burgon and Sir Philip Haverstone, do you take half a dozen
men-at-arms, and ride through the country, bidding all t