"In that case we must forgive you," the girl said. "Some rumours of the
fray have reached us, and my father shook his head gravely, when he
heard that another Baird had been killed by the Forsters."

"It was not only us," Oswald replied. "There were some of the Liddels,
and the Hopes, and other families, engaged. My father was chosen as
chief; but this time it was not our quarrel, but theirs, for we had
lost no cattle, and my father only joined because they had aided us
last time, and he could not hold back now. Of course, he was chosen as
chief because he knows the country so well."

"Well, come in, Oswald. It is poor hospitality to keep you talking
here, outside the door."

A boy had already taken charge of Oswald's horse and, after unstrapping
his valise, had led it to a stable that formed the basement of the
house.

"Well, laddie, how fares it with you, at home?" Adam Armstrong said,
heartily, as they mounted the steps to the main entrance. "We have
heard of your wild doings with the Bairds. 'Tis a pity that these feuds
should go on, from father to son, ever getting more and more bitter.
But there, we can no more change a borderer's nature than you can stop
the tide in the Solway. I hear that it was well nigh a pitched battle."

"There was hard fighting," Oswald replied. "Three of our troopers, and
eight or ten of the others were killed. My father was twice wounded,
one of the Hopes was killed, and a Liddel severely wounded. But from
what they say, the Bairds suffered more. Had they not done so, there
would have been a hot pursuit; but as far as we know there was none."

"The Bairds will bide their time," Armstrong said gravely. "They are
dour men, and will take their turn, though they wait ten years for it."

"At any rate they won't catch us sleeping, Uncle; and come they however
strong they may, they will find it hard work to capture the Hold."

"Ay, ay, lad, but I don't think they will try to knock their heads
against your wall. They are more like to sweep down on a sudden, and
your watchman will need keen eyes to make them out before they are
thundering at the gate, or climbing up the wall. However, your father
knows his danger, and it is of no use talking more of it. What is done
is done."

"And how is your mother, Oswald?" Mistress Armstrong asked.

"She is well, Aunt, and bade me give her love to you."

"Truly I wonder she keeps her health, with all these troubles and
anxieties. We had hoped t