the weather was so bad that no operations could
be carried on. Every little stream was swollen to a raging torrent.
Horses, carrying men in full armour, could scarce keep their feet on
the slippery moor; and even the footmen had the greatest difficulty in
getting about; and all excursions were given up, for the Welsh,
barefooted and unweighted with armour, would have been able to fall
upon them to great advantage, and could then evade pursuit, with ease.

The number of sick increased rapidly, and it became necessary to send
another convoy back to Llanidloes; where the guard were to join the
force that had gone there, ten days before, and to escort some waggons
of flour and a number of cattle, that had been brought there from
Welshpool by a strong levy from Shropshire.

Ten knights, a hundred mounted men-at-arms, as many on foot, and fifty
archers were considered sufficient to escort the sick; who, to the
number of two hundred, were closely packed in the ten waggons that were
to return with flour. Three of Lord Talbot's knights were to form part
of the escort, and among these Oswald was chosen by the earl.

It was hoped that the convoy would reach the town without being
attacked, for great pains had been taken to prevent the news of its
approaching departure getting about; for there were many Welshmen in
the camp, employed in looking after the baggage animals, and in other
offices. They had all been hired for the service on the other side of
the border; but it was believed that some of them, at least, must be in
communication with the enemy; who were thereby enabled to gather in
force, to oppose any parties who sallied out from the camp.

The consequence was that, until half an hour before it left, none save
a few of the leaders were aware of the starting of the convoy. Then
orders were rapidly issued. The knights and men-at-arms who had been
selected for the service had but a few minutes to prepare themselves.
The horses were harnessed to the waggons, and the sick and wounded
carried out and placed in them, with the greatest expedition, and the
party set out in less than half an hour after the first order had been
given. It had gone but a quarter of a mile when the shouts among the
woods, on either side, showed that the Welsh were vigilant. Horns were
blown in all directions, the sound growing fainter and fainter, in the
hills.

"We shall not get through undisturbed," one of the knights said to
Oswald, who was ridi