hat, after the meeting last March of the
Commissioners on both sides, when the Lords of the Marches plighted
their faith to each other, and agreed to surrender all prisoners
without ransom, and to forgive all offenders, we should have had peace
on the border. As you know, there were but three exceptions named;
namely Adam Warden, William Baird, and Adam French, whom the Scotch
Commissioners bound themselves to arrest, and to hand over to the
English Commissioners, to be tried as being notorious truce breakers,
doing infinite mischief to the dwellers on the English side of the
border. And yet nothing has come of it, and these men still continue to
make their raids, without check or hindrance, either by the Earl of
March or Douglas."

"There are faults on both sides, wife," her husband said.

"I do not deny it, gudeman; but I have often heard you say these three
men are the pests of the border; and that, were it not for them, things
might go on reasonably enough, for no one counts a few head of cattle
lifted, now and again. It is bad enough that, every two or three years,
armies should march across the border, one way or the other; but surely
we might live peaceably, between times. Did not I nearly lose you at
Otterburn, and had you laid up on my hands, for well-nigh six months?"

"Ay, that was a sore day, for both sides."

"Will you tell me about it, Uncle?" Oswald asked. "My father cares not
much to talk of it; and though I know that he fought there, he has
never told me the story of the battle."

"We are just going to sit down to dinner, now," Adam Armstrong said,
"and the story is a long one; but after we have done, I will tell you
of it. Your father need not feel so sore about it; for, since the days
of the Bruce, you have had as many victories to count as we have."

After dinner, however, Armstrong had to settle a dispute between two of
his tenants, as to grazing rights; and it was not until evening that he
told his story.

"In 1388 there were all sorts of troubles in England, and France
naturally took advantage of them, and recommenced hostilities, and we
prepared to share in the game. Word was sent round privately, and every
man was bidden to gather, in Jedburgh forest. I tell you, lad, I went
with a heavy heart, for although men of our name have the reputation of
being as quarrelsome fellows as any that dwell on the border, I am an
exception, and love peace and quiet; moreover, the children were but
young