ade
by the Scots in Cumberland and Durham, the Earl and Hotspur could, at
present, do nothing. The invasion was, indeed, one of the most
disastrous that had ever taken place; and after having almost
devastated the two counties, Douglas, with the united force, and an
enormous train of waggons laden with plunder, great quantities of
cattle, and other spoil, turned north again, at the end of the second
week of September.

In the meanwhile, Percy's force had been steadily growing. He had early
resolved that upon the return of the Scots the battle must be fought,
and contented himself with sending small bodies, of well-mounted
knights and horsemen, to hover in the neighbourhood of the Scotch army;
and to keep him informed of their intentions, and the route they seemed
disposed to take.

Douglas had carried his devastations up to the walls of Newcastle, but
had not attempted to attack that strongly-defended town. He had,
indeed, gathered as much spoil as could possibly be taken along; and he
moved north in a quiet and leisurely way, being greatly hampered by the
enormous train of loaded waggons.

As soon as the Earl of Northumberland and his son saw that he intended
to march up through Northumberland, instead of returning by the line
that he had come through Tynedale, they set their force in motion and
marched out; leaving a sufficient strength to hold Alnwick, should
Douglas attack it. Being joined, two days later, by the Earl of Dunbar,
they posted themselves in a position whence they could march to
intercept the Scots, upon any road they might follow on their way
north.

On the 12th, they learned for certain that the Scots were following the
road that would take them through Wooler. Moving instantly, the Earl
with his forces came up to them, posted on a hill, a mile to the
northwest of Homildon. He at once seized a hill facing it, and disposed
his knights, men-at-arms, and spearmen along the crest.

Hotspur would straightway have charged down, and attacked the Scots in
their position; but Dunbar put his hand on his bridle, and urged him,
strongly, to await the assault; and to provoke the Scots into taking
the offensive by galling them with his archers, in which he was far
superior to them; while, on the other hand, they were much stronger in
spears and horsemen.

Hotspur, seeing the goodness of the advice, assented to it; and ordered
the archers to descend, at once, into the valley between the two hills;
and to la