he buckled on the golden spurs, put on the knightly
armour--for he had observed that the earl, and the knights that he had
seen in the camp, all kept on full armour, being ever in expectation of
sudden attack.

"Truly you make a handsome figure, Sir Oswald," said Roger, who had
been assisting him. "Little did I think, when I used to rail at you at
your books, that you would grow into so stalwart a man; and that I
should follow you in the field, as your squire. Your armour fits you as
if made for you, save that these cuishes scarce meet your body armour.
In truth, though bad for him, it was lucky for you that the master of
this tent came to his death when he did."

"I like a steel cap better than this helmet, though I say not that it
looks so well."

"Not by a long way," Roger said. "Nought could become you better. What
cognizance do you mean to take?"

"I have not thought about it, yet. There will be time enough for that,
after the war is over."

"Well, at any rate, master, I will today set about getting Sir William
Baxter's off the shield. Methinks that, with some sand from the river
bed, I shall be able to manage it with an hour's rubbing."

"Now, come along, Roger. There is no time to be lost, for I dine at
midday with the Earl of Talbot. Master Pemberton will show us where the
armour is lying."

There was, indeed, a large pile.

Oswald then said, "As you are known, Master Pemberton, you had better
stop here; for it will take some picking before Roger is suited. As it
is but two minutes to twelve, I must hurry back to Lord Talbot's tent."

Some seven or eight knights were already there. Lord Talbot introduced
him to them and, as they dined, Oswald related, at their request, more
particularly how he had got through the Welsh--a task that seemed to
them well-nigh impossible, since the soldiers dared not venture even to
the edge of the forest, so thickly were the Welsh posted there.

"That man-at-arms must be a stalwart fellow, indeed," said one, "to
kill three Welshmen with nought but a quarterstaff."

"If you had seen the man, and the staff, Sir Victor, you would not be
surprised," Lord Talbot said. "He stands some six feet four, and has
shoulders that might rival Samson's. As to his quarterstaff, I marked
it. It was of oak, and full two inches across; and a blow with it, from
such arms, would crack an iron casque, to say nothing of a Welsh
skull."

Chapter 18: Glendower.

For the next ten days