soldier; and
although I go in the dress of the one, I shall really go as the other.
I know that my duty, as a soldier, will be to obey. Even as regards my
potations, which I own are sometimes deeper than they should be,
methinks that, as a soldier, I shall be much less thirsty than I was as
a monk. If the enterprise should fail from any default of mine, your
lordship may be sure that I shall bear your advice in mind."

"I doubt not that you will do well, Roger. I should not have sent you
with my esquire, on such a business, had I not believed that you would
prove yourself worthy of my confidence. I know that a man may be a good
soldier, and even a wise counsellor, though he may be a very bad monk."

The next morning the pair rode out from the castle, at daybreak. Roger
was dressed in the usual monkish attire of the time, a long loose gown
with a cape, and a head covering resembling a small turban. He rode a
compactly built little horse, which seemed scarce capable of carrying
his weight, but ambled along with him as if it scarcely felt it. Oswald
was dressed as a lay servitor, in tightly-fitting high hose, short
jerkin girt in by a band at the waist, and going half-way down to the
knee. He rode his own moorland horse, and carried on his arm a basket
with provisions for a day's march. He wore a small cloth cap, which
fell down to his neck behind. His uncle accompanied him to the gate,
which was, by his orders, opened to give them egress.

"Goodbye, lad," he said. "I know not, and do not wish to know, the
object of your journey. It is enough for me that it is a confidential
mission for Hotspur, and I am proud that you should have been chosen
for it, and I feel convinced that you will prove you have merited our
lord's confidence.

"Goodbye, friend Roger! Don't let your love of fisticuffs and hard
knocks carry you away, but try and bear yourself as if you were still
in the monastery, with the abbot keeping his eye upon you."

Brother Roger laughed.

"You make a cold shiver run down my back, Alwyn. I was feeling as if I
had just got out of a cold cellar, into the sunshine, and could shout
with very lightness of heart. I am not in the least disposed to quarrel
with anyone, so let your mind be easy as to my doings. I shall be
discretion itself; and even if I am called upon to strike, will do so
as gently as may be, putting only such strength into the blow as will
prevent an opponent from troubling us further."

So, wit