as yet, come
within sight of the town; but, throughout the night, the sky to the
west had been red with the flames of the burning villages and
homesteads.

The male inhabitants were all under arms. Many had already sent their
wives and children, in waggons, towards Ludlow; but, as the town had a
strong wall, the men were determined upon making a stout defence.

They crowded round the newly arrived troops, with loud cheers; which
were raised, again and again, when they heard that, by midday, four
hundred footmen would arrive to their assistance. It had been arranged
that Sir Philip Haverstone should remain in the town, to take charge of
the defence; and that the mounted men should, under Sir John Burgon,
endeavour to check the Welsh plundering parties in the open. Sir
William Bastow was to remain, to assist Haverstone in the defence of
the town. There was no great fear of this falling; as, before the day
was out, four or five thousand men would be assembled at Ludlow, and
would be able to march to its relief. These matters being arranged, Sir
John Burgon led his little troop out of the town.

The accounts of the Welsh forces were very conflicting, but the balance
of opinion was that there were not less than four or five thousand of
them. Beyond the fact that they were skirting the hills, and advancing
towards Knighton, the terrified fugitives could say nothing, save of
their own experiences. It was evident, however, that the Welsh force
was not keeping together; but, after crossing the border, had broken up
and scattered over the country, burning and slaying. Some of the bands
had approached to within five miles of the town; and they might, not
improbably, come in contact with fresh bands of the enemy, crossing the
hills near the source of the Severn. As soon as they had sallied from
the castle, and left the town behind them, Sir John halted his party.

"Now, men," he said, "there is one thing that you should
remember--these Welshmen are not to be despised. Doubtless you will be
able to ride over them, but do not think that, when you have done so,
you have defeated them. They will throw themselves down on the ground,
leap up as you pass over them, stab your horses from below, seize your
legs and try to drag you from your saddles, leap up on to the crupper
behind you, and stab you to the heart. This is what makes them so
dangerous a foe to horsemen, and at Crecy they did terrible execution
among the French chivalry.