ince we left Worcester, I have come to
know the greater part of the esquires here."

"I arrived but an hour ago," Oswald replied, "having made my way
through the Welsh, on foot, with that tall fellow you saw without."

"That was a dangerous deed, truly," Pemberton said, in tones of
surprise. "May I ask why you essayed so perilous a feat?"

"I was the bearer of a despatch for the king. I was an esquire to Sir
Henry Percy, but have for some time been staying with his
brother-in-law, Sir Edmund Mortimer.

"Had Sir William a man-at-arms, who served as his servant? For I shall
make my man-at-arms, who has gone through many adventures with me, has
fought by my side, and saved my life, my second squire."

"Yes, a very good and trusty fellow."

"Then of course I shall keep him on. Now, will you tell my man to come
in?

"Roger," he said, "You doubtless heard the earl's words, and I am now
master of this tent, together with the armour, horses, and clothes of
Sir William Baxter. Master Henry Pemberton will act as my squire,
during the campaign. You will be my second squire."

"Well, master, I never looked so high as to become an esquire; and
would rather remain a simple man-at-arms, were it not that it will keep
me near you."

"You will find Roger a good comrade, Master Pemberton. He has been a
man-at-arms at his own choice; for, as he can read and write as well as
any clerk, he might have done better for himself."

Pemberton looked, with some surprise, at Roger. He himself had not
these accomplishments, and he was surprised at finding a man-at-arms so
well endowed.

"As you may tell by his speech," Oswald went on, "he is, like myself, a
Northumbrian; and has done good service in the wars with the Scots."

"That I can well imagine," the squire said, with a smile. "I would
certainly wish for no stouter comrade."

"We must see about arms and armour for you, Roger," Oswald said.

"There will be no difficulty about that. None whatever, Sir Oswald. We
have lost fully three hundred men, since we crossed the border, and a
hundred and fifty since we came here, four days since. There is a pile
of harness and arms, lying by the roadside; and there, methinks, it is
likely it will lie. You have but to go with him, when you have attired
yourself and buckled on spurs, and you can pick and choose among it.
Assuredly, no one will gainsay you."

Oswald now changed his attire. The clothes were handsome, and fitted
him well. Then