o go out into the world, for a time."

"Then that is settled, and tomorrow you shall ride to Alnwick and see,
at any rate, if aught comes of the matter.

"Do not cry, Wife. It is your counsel that I am acting upon, and you
have told me you are sure that it is best that he should go. It is not
as if he were taking service with a southern lord. He will be but a
day's ride away from us, and doubtless will be able to come over, at
times, and stay a day or two with us; and once a year, when times are
peaceable, you shall ride behind me, on a pillion, to see how things go
with him at the Percys' castle. At any rate it will be better, by far,
than if he had carried out that silly fancy of his, for putting himself
in the hands of the monks and learning to read and write; which would,
perchance, have ended in his shaving his crown and taking to a cowl,
and there would have been an end of the Forsters of Yardhope.

"Now, put that cold joint upon the table, again. Doubtless the lad has
a wolf's appetite."

There was no time lost. The next day was spent in looking out his
clothes and packing his valise, by his mother; while he rode round the
country, to say goodbye to some of his friends. The next morning, at
daybreak, he started; and, at nightfall, rode into the castle of
Alnwick, and inquired for Alwyn Forster. The two men-at-arms, who had
regarded his appearance, on his shaggy border horse, with scarce
concealed contempt; at once answered, civilly, that the captain would
be found in his room, in the north turret. They then pointed out to him
the stables, where he could bestow his horse; and, having seen some hay
placed before it, and a feed of barley, to which the animal was but
little accustomed, Oswald made his way up the turret, to the room in
which his uncle lodged.

The stately castle, and the beauty, as well as the strength, of the
Percys' great stronghold, had in no small degree surprised, and almost
awed the lad, accustomed only to the rough border holds. It was
situated on rising ground, on the river Aln; and consisted of a great
keep, which dated back to the times of the Saxons; and three courts,
each of which were, indeed, separate fortresses, the embattled gates
being furnished with portcullises and strong towers. Within the circuit
of its walls, it contained some five acres of ground, with sixteen
towers, the outer wall being surrounded by a moat.

The Percys were descended from a Danish chief, who was one of