'Tis all very well for great nobles, like
Dunbar and Douglas, to keep men always in arms, and ready to ride, at a
moment's notice, to carry fire and sword where they will. War is not
our business, save when there is trouble in the air, or mayhap we run
short of cattle or horses, and have to go and fetch them from across
the border. It is true that there are always a score or two of us up
there, for somehow the Bairds have enemies, but most of the followers
of the house live on their holdings, raise cattle and mountain sheep,
grow oats, and live as best they can."

"For myself, I would rather live with others," Oswald said. "I am used
to it, and to live in a hut on the moors would in no way be to my
fancy; and if I cannot get a place where I have comrades to talk to,
and crack a joke with, I would rather cross the seas, take service with
an Irish chieftain, or travel to Wales, where I hear men say there is
fighting."

"You need not go very far, if it is fighting that you want," the man
said. "Those who ride with the Bairds have their share, and more, of
it. If you like to stop here a day or two, I will take an opportunity
to talk to William Baird, or to one of his sons, if I find a chance;
but I cannot take you up there, now. At the best of times they are not
fond of visitors, and would be less so than usual, now."

Other armed men had come in, while the conversation was going on. No
further attention was paid to the travellers. The others, sitting down
at a table across the room, talked among themselves.

"I care not for the work," one said presently, raising his voice to a
higher pitch than that in which the others had spoken. "Across the
border, I am as ready for work as another; but when it comes to Scot
against Scot, I like it not."

"Why, man," another said, "what qualms are these? Isn't Scot always
fighting against Scot? Ay, and has been so, as far back as one has ever
heard. It does not take much for a Douglas or a Dunbar to get to
loggerheads; and as to the wild clans of the north, they are always
fighting among themselves."

"Yes, that is all very well," the other said, "and there is no reason
why neighbours should not quarrel, here; but I would rather that they
each summoned their friends, and met in fair fight and had it out, than
that one should pounce upon the other when not expected, and slay and
burn unopposed."

"Ay, ay," two or three others of the men agreed. "It were doubtless
better so, when