ewsbury, through which the king passed; and so follow up the course
he took. There should be no great difficulty in doing that, for the
march of so great a body of men must have left many traces behind. They
will, doubtless, have harried the country, for some distance each side
of the line they followed; and it is not likely that I should meet any
of the Welsh, until I was near the army. Then, of course, great caution
would have to be used; for it is like enough that there are parties of
Glendower's men hanging on its skirts, to cut off stragglers, and
plunder any waggons whose horses may have fallen by the way."

"'Tis a terribly dangerous service," Sir Edmund said, gravely; "but in
truth, I see no other way of forwarding this letter; which, for aught I
know, may be of high importance. But if this is a desperate enterprise,
it is also one that will bring you great credit, if safely carried
through. I will myself, if you go, give you a letter to the king,
saying that you have volunteered for this desperate undertaking, from
your loyalty to his person, and because it is possible that the letter
may contain matter of the highest importance, to him and the realm in
general. I shall add that you have already greatly distinguished
yourself, in service against the Welsh, and are the trusty esquire of
my brother-in-law, Sir Henry Percy."

"I quite feel, Sir Edmund, that the enterprise is a dangerous one; but
I am nevertheless determined, with your permission, to undertake it. My
henchman and myself have, together, gone through dangers as great; and
may pass through this, as well."

"I will give you my answer in half an hour, Master Oswald, when I have
talked it over with my knights, and heard their opinions as to whether
any better plan can be devised."

Oswald bowed and retired and, seeking out Roger, told him of the offer
that he had made.

"Well, master, if you are bent upon this enterprise, you will not find
me backward; and indeed, I am so sick of this six months of idleness,
and of seeing others marching to Wales to fight, while we do nothing
here; that, by Saint Bride, were you to ask me to go into Glendower's
stronghold, and pluck him by the beard, I would willingly go with you."

Oswald laughed.

"'Tis not so bad as that, Roger, and yet 'tis a service of great
danger. How think you that we had best set about it, on horse or on
foot?"

Roger looked surprised at the question.

"It would surely be better to go