returned from Ludlow and,
save for our adventure with the Bairds, we have had a quiet time,
since."

"Think you there will be work with the Welsh again, master?"

"I think so, indeed, Roger. They say that Glendower's forces are
greatly increasing, and he has captured Lord Grey, and holds him to
ransom. The king must regret, now, that Parliament refused to listen to
Glendower's complaints, because he had been one of Richard's men, and
had perhaps spoken more hotly than was prudent, touching the king's
murder."

"But they say that Richard is still alive, and that he is with the
Scots."

"They may say so, Roger, but think you that it is likely? The king's
figure was well known to hundreds of men. Why does he not show himself?
Even in Scotland there are many nobles who, during the truces between
the kingdoms, have been to London, and have known King Richard; and had
this man been he, they would have recognized him, at once. Besides,
think you that when the king had Richard caged, in Pomfret, there was
any chance of his getting free again? It may suit Albany, at present,
to set up some puppet or other, in order to cause uneasiness to Henry,
and to render Richard's friends here unwilling to obey the orders of
the king, and to take the field against the Scots; but had he been
Richard, 'tis not in Scotland that he would have shown himself, but in
France, where he would gladly have been received, as Anne of Bohemia's
husband, and would have had aid and support to urge his claims."

"Well, master, I care not what takes us to Wales. At any rate, I am
glad to journey thither; for it seems, at present, as if there, only,
is there a chance of giving and taking hard knocks. How is it that you
do not take a party of men-at-arms, as you did last time?"

"Mortimer has plenty of men, without them, and the handful that Percy
can spare would be of little use. I am going principally because
Hotspur is anxious to be kept well informed of what happens in the
west, for he feels sure that, if Glendower's power increases, it will
be needful to send a strong English army there. The Scots will make a
great invasion, and it will behove all the northern counties, and
lords, to hold themselves in readiness."

They travelled fast and, in five days after leaving Alnwick, arrived at
Ludlow.

"Welcome back again, Master Oswald!" Sir Edmund said, when he arrived.
"I thought that maybe Sir Henry Percy would send you hither. Matters
here are beco