uild them. The harrying of the villages
will not bring the matter a day nearer to a conclusion. It is by
destroying the castles and houses of the better class that an effect
will be produced. The peasants have little to lose. The Welsh gentry
have houses and estates, and the fear of losing these may drive them to
abandon Glendower, and to come over to us. Many did so, after the
king's last invasion. Methinks the best policy would be to spare the
villagers, and give the peasants no cause for complaint, and to war
only against their leaders.

"But as to yourself, sir, there is not the most remote chance of your
getting through; and you had best wait here until the army returns, or
some levies, who may have arrived late at Shrewsbury, come up on their
way to join the king."

"I inquired at Shrewsbury, last night, sir; but I heard that no more
parties were expected, the contingents from all the counties having
joined the king, at Worcester, on the day ordered. My intention is that
I and my man-at-arms will leave our horses here, and go forward on
foot. In that way we can travel, for the most part, through the
forests; and may escape being seen. We have already left our armour
behind us, at Ludlow, so as to be able to move more rapidly. We are
both Northumbrians, and are accustomed to traverse moors and fells;
and, even should we be seen by any straggling party of the enemy, we
shall have a fair chance of outrunning them, and throwing them off our
track. At any rate, it is my duty to endeavour to carry the letter to
the king."

"Is it a matter of life and death?"

"That I know not, sir. A royal messenger brought it, from London, to
Ludlow. He had ridden with relays of horses, but had no means of
getting farther, and begged Sir Edmund Mortimer to forward it. I
myself, an esquire of Sir Henry Percy, was staying as a guest with Sir
Edmund--who is, as you know, my lord's brother-in-law--and I
volunteered to carry it, being anxious to have an opportunity of doing
service to the king."

"It was a bold offer, young man, and doubtless, when you made it, you
were scarce aware how dangerous was the business that you undertook.
Did I think that it would be of any use, I would furnish you with
twenty men-at-arms to ride with you; but I know that such a force
would, in no way, add to your safety. You might get as far as
Llanidloes, or Llanfair, whichever route you might choose, though I
think not that you would do so; but beyond t