The winter passed quietly. Oswald's work was light. He more than once
rode home for a few days, and once paid a visit to Hiniltie.

Here a number of men were at work. The exterior walls had in no way
suffered, and the shell of the central building had so far resisted the
fire, that it was not necessary to rebuild it. The roof and floors had
been replaced, and the defences considerably strengthened. A portcullis
had been placed above the door; so that, in case of the outer wall
being carried, or the gate forced, it could at once be lowered. A
projecting battlement had been thrown out over this, with openings
below, through which boiling lead and pitch could be poured on an enemy
trying to break in. Flanking turrets, for archers, had been built at
each corner of the house; and the exterior walls had been strengthened
by towers, in the centre of each face, and on either side of the
gateway.

"We shall be safe now, I think, Oswald," said Allan, who had almost
recovered. "The place can hardly be taken by a sudden attack, even by
all the forces the Bairds could bring against it; and we could get help
from Jedburgh, long before they could gain even the outside wall. My
father and I are going, in a fortnight, to fetch the girls. I rode over
there a week or two since, and found them looking very well and happy,
with your people; but of course they are anxious to get back again,
especially as you are so seldom at home."

"If you will fix the day before I go, I will try to be there to meet
you. I suppose, as soon as spring sets in fairly, we shall be having
troubles again, and it is certainly as well that Janet and Jessie
should be at home again before they begin; for although Yardhope is
strong enough to resist any attack by the Bairds, or any other border
rangers, it can scarcely hold out against a regular invasion."

Four days after his return to Alnwick, Oswald was sent for by Percy.

"The Scots do not seem to be moving yet," the latter said, "but
Glendower is ever increasing in strength, and boldness. I have received
startling news this morning. A party of Welshmen were seen near Ruthyn,
and Earl Grey, with a body of mounted men, rode out against them. They
retired at once, and he, briskly pursuing, fell into an ambush and was
captured.

"'Twould have been thought that Glendower would have put his chief
enemy to death, at once, but it was not so, and it is said he holds the
earl to ransom. Glendower has plenty of men,