three hundred lives will not affect them greatly, when it is clear that
they have murdered twice that number, as well as enriched themselves
with plunder."

"I think not that we shall hear of them, again," Sir John said.
"Glendower has shown us, without doubt, what are his intentions; and he
may now wait to see what comes of last night's work. I expect that he
will keep among the hills, where he can fight to better advantage; for
horsemen are of little use, where there are mountains and forests."

After a consultation between the knights, it was agreed that two
hundred of the footmen were to remain, for two or three days, at
Knighton; in case the retreat of the Welsh might be a feigned one,
intended to lull the inhabitants into a state of security, and then to
make a sudden night attack upon the walls. The whole force remained
until the next morning, and then, leaving Sir Philip Haverstone in
command of the party remaining at Knighton, the rest, horse and foot,
marched back to Ludlow.

"Your band have indeed distinguished themselves, Oswald," Sir John had
said, on the previous evening, as they talked on the events of the day.
"Truly they are as stout men as I have ever seen fighting. And you have
escaped without a wound, though I marked that your armour and clothes
were covered with mire, as if you had been rolling in the road."

"That is just what I have been doing, Sir John. One of them leaped on
to the horse behind me, and pinioned my arms; while two or three others
made at me, with axes and staves. The clasp of the fellow was like an
iron band and, seeing that my only chance was to rid myself of him, I
slung my leg over my horse, and we came down together, he undermost.
Whether the fall killed him or not, I cannot say, but his arms relaxed.
Half a dozen sprang on me, and in another minute I should have been
killed, had not that big trooper of mine come to my aid, and with a
mighty mace dashed out their brains, well-nigh before they knew that
they were attacked."

"A stout fellow, indeed," Sir John said, "and one I should like to have
to ride behind me, on the day of battle. I had marked him before, and
thought that I had never seen a more stalwart knave; though methinks
that he would look better, did he not crop his hair so wondrously
short."

Oswald laughed.

"He does it not to beautify himself, Sir John, but to hide the fact
that the hair on his crown is but of six weeks' growth."

And then he related t