to
last Roger and himself for three days. This was divided in halves and
placed in bags, which would be slung over their shoulders. The horses
had already been sent up to the castle and, after sleeping for a few
hours, the two left the town and, turning to the right, ascended the
hill.

Oswald carried his sword and dagger. Roger, in addition to these, had a
heavy oaken quarterstaff.

"This," he said, "may be of service in mountain work, and may suffice
to crack the skulls of any half-dozen Welshmen we may fall in with."

Both had put on plain leather jerkins and cloth caps, and wore,
underneath, their own suits with the Percy cognizance embroidered on
them, in order that they might present themselves in proper attire,
should they arrive at the king's camp. The weather was already becoming
cold, and the double suit was therefore not uncomfortable. As the dress
of the Welsh, in the towns and valleys, was very similar to that worn
by English villagers; they would attract but little attention, should
they have cause to take to the road, for any short distance.

Keeping within the edge of the belt of trees, they followed the valley
down past the ruins of Montgomery, and passed Newtown without entering
it. Many times during the morning they heard loud shouts, from the
woods in which they were, answered by similar cries from the other side
of the valley; and were obliged to move with great caution, for it was
evident that a considerable number of Welsh were in ambush in the
woods, in readiness to attack any party who might be proceeding up or
down the valley.

Towards noon, they were obliged to leave the edge of the forest, and to
ascend to the brow of the hills; as it was certain that any parties of
the enemy, who might be in the forest, would be assembled near its
edge, in readiness to pour suddenly down.

More than once they heard voices, but a short distance away; and
paused, for a time, to allow parties of men to cross ahead of them.
Their greatest danger lay in crossing the side valleys, but as the
Welsh would be expecting no one to come down these, they succeeded in
crossing without being observed.

They were well content when, just as night was falling, they came down
upon Llanidloes. Crossing the wooden bridge over the stream, they
entered the town boldly; for, looking down upon it, they had seen many
men in armour in the streets, and knew that the place was occupied by
the English.

At the gate at the end