ill arrange themselves, long before that. Surely, in
time, the Welsh leaders will see that the struggle is a hopeless one;
and that they will lose their homes, and their possessions, and their
lives, if they continue it.

"Brave as the Welsh may be, they cannot withstand the whole strength of
England. They may exist in the forests, for a time; but, with all the
valleys and fertile lands in English hands, they will at last be forced
to submit."

"It would seem so; but Edward said the same thing, of Scotland. He
carried fire and sword through it, time after time; and yet Scotland
has still its king, and holds its own on the border."

"That is so, sir; but Scotland is a large country, whereas Wales is a
small one; and the towns and castles are English, as are all the ports;
and the people themselves, although brave, are wholly without
discipline, and are able to fight only in the mountains; while the
Scots are strong enough to give battle to us on level ground, and have
defeated us, more than once."

"My advice to you is to leave the town at night," the governor said, as
Oswald rose to leave. "There may be many of the Welsh lying round us
now; and doubtless they learn, from their countrymen here, all that is
doing. I will give you a scroll, ordering that you are allowed to pass
out at any time, by night or day."

"Thank you, sir. I had intended to start tomorrow morning, two hours
before daybreak, so as to get well into the forest before sunrise. I
shall, of course, go first to Llanidloes; where, doubtless, a strong
guard will have been left. As far as that I cannot well miss my way, as
I shall have but to keep along the side of the valley."

"That is so. Beyond that, the river is a mere streamlet, and you will
have to make across the hills."

"Do you know, sir, whether the force that went to Llanfair was to
effect a junction with the king?"

"No, I believe not; at any rate, not for the present. The party was to
march west; the king's force was to move south of Plinlimmon; Lord
Talbot's to cross the range of hills, and come down upon the river
Dovey and, if possible, prevent Glendower, if he is still on
Plinlimmon, from making his way to Dinas Mowddwy, or Cader Idris, or up
to Snowdon again. The plan is doubtless as good as another, but I doubt
whether Talbot's force, if ten times as numerous as it is, could
prevent Glendower from slipping away."

That evening Oswald bought a supply of bread and meat, sufficient