nk of nothing better. My brain is deadened by this
terrible misfortune. Had I my own will, I would ride straight to the
Bairds' hold and challenge him and his brothers and sons to meet me,
one after another, in fair combat; and should be well contented if I
could slay one or two of them, before being myself killed."

"I can quite understand that, Uncle. But your death would be, in no
way, an advantage to the girls; nay, would rather render them more
helpless, therefore I pray you to let me carry things out as I have
planned."

His uncle nodded.

"I shall send out a dozen runners to my friends," he said, "and beg
them to be here tomorrow morning, early. Then, when I have talked
matters over with them, I shall ride to Roxburgh and lay the matter
before the governor. I know that I shall get no help from him; but at
least, when he hears of a gathering here, he will know that 'tis with
no evil intention against the English."

Ten minutes later, Oswald's messenger started for Yardhope, with a full
account of the step he was taking, and of the arrangements that had
been made. This done, he had a long talk with Roger.

"Now, Roger," he said, "this will be the most dangerous business in
which we have been concerned; and I should not venture to undertake it,
did I not know that I could rely, absolutely, upon you."

"I will do my best, master, and will adventure my life all the more
willingly, since it is in the service of Allan and Janet Armstrong.
They were always pleasant and friendly with me, at Yardhope, and I like
them for themselves, as well as because they are your cousins. Now,
master, what is to be done?"

"Have you your gown with you, Roger?"

"No, master. I know you always told me to take it with me, thinking
that it might come in useful, and I carried it under my saddle all the
time we were in Wales; but, seeing that this was but a ride to Jedburgh
and back, I thought that there would be no occasion for it."

"That is unfortunate, Roger, for it is upon this that we must depend to
get an entry into the Bairds' hold."

"Well, master, I can doubtless get some rough cloth of the colour, at
Jedburgh; and indeed, there is a small monastery about three miles
hence on the road, and it may be that, if Adam Armstrong will go with
us and say wherefore it is wanted, the prior will let him have one."

"I will see him at once. No time must be lost. While he is away, you
must shave your head again."

Roger's face fell