essary to
support the army, but had abstained from wasting the country,
destroying villages and towns, and slaughtering the country people;
and, so far from embittering the animosity between the two nations, he
had produced a better state of feeling; and a truce was, in
consequence, concluded for a year, at Kelso, by special commissioners
from both kings, on the 21st of December, 1400.

Chapter 8: Ludlow Castle.

Oswald Forster had not been present when, in June, 1400, the king
arrived at Alnwick. A few days after the coming of the Earl of March,
Hotspur received a letter from Sir Edmund Mortimer, the brother of his
wife; asking him to send a body of men-at-arms, under an experienced
captain who could aid him to drill newly-raised levies; for that one
Owen Glendower had taken up arms against the Lord Grey de Ruthyn, and
that turbulent men were flocking to his standard, and it was feared
that serious trouble might ensue. Percy was in a position to send but
few men, for with war with the Scotch imminent, he could not weaken
himself by sending off a large force. However, he sent for Alwyn
Forster.

"I need twenty picked men, for the service of Sir Edmund Mortimer,
Alwyn. I would send more, were it not for the position of affairs here.
What say you to taking the command of them?"

"I would gladly do so, my lord, if it be that there is a chance of
something more lively than drilling hinds, and turning them into
men-at-arms, which has been my business for years now, without a chance
of striking a blow in earnest."

"I think that there will be a certainty of fighting, Alwyn. The
Welshmen are growing troublesome again, and Sir Edmund thinks that
there may be tough work, on the Welsh marches, and has written to me
for aid.

"With the king coming hither, there is a chance that the Earl of March,
and myself, will open the war by harrying the Douglas's lands. I can
spare no great force, but even twenty tried men-at-arms would, no
doubt, be welcome. As the king is going to march into Scotland, there
is no fear that there will be any serious invasion by the Scots, and
therefore you can be spared for a while. I think not that any of my
knights would care to go in command of so small an array, but I thought
that you might like to take it."

"I shall be right glad to do so, my lord."

"I shall send your nephew with you. He is a shrewd and gallant young
fellow, and I know he would far rather be taking part in active
ser