t Master Forster at Chester," the earl said. "He commanded a score
of Percy's men, and rode with us when we captured Glendower's house.
The knights with him told me that he and his little band had done
excellent service, in the fight when the Welsh made their first
irruption; and that Sir Henry Percy had written in the warmest terms to
Mortimer, saying that the gentleman stood high in his regard, and that
he had the most perfect confidence in him, and had selected him for the
service since he was able to write well, and could, therefore,
communicate freely with him as to the troubles on the Welsh border."

"And have you been at Mortimer's ever since that time?" the king asked.

Oswald noticed that each time Mortimer's name was mentioned, the king's
brow was somewhat clouded.

"Not so, your majesty. I returned to the north, with Percy's men, a few
days after the capture of Glendower's house. I came back to Ludlow in
the spring."

"Why did Sir Henry Percy despatch you there again?" the king asked,
sharply.

"From what he said, sire, it was because he was anxious to know whether
the rebellion was growing, fearing that there might be some
correspondence between Glendower and the Scots; and that, if it should
come to a point when you might have to lead the whole force of the
south to put the Welsh down, the Scots might make a great irruption
into the northern counties, and it would be needful for him to keep a
larger body of men than usual under arms; as the earl, his father, and
the Earl of Westmoreland, would have to stand the whole brunt of the
matter, for a time, without aid from the south."

The king's brow cleared.

"It was a thoughtful act of Sir Henry," he said; "and 'tis like enough
that the Scots will, as you say, take advantage of our troubles here;
and it is well, therefore, that the Lords of the Northern Marches
should hold themselves in readiness.

"What think you, Talbot? It seems to me that the bold service this
esquire has performed merits reward."

"I think so, indeed," the earl said. "It was a singular act of
courage."

The king drew his sword from his scabbard.

"Kneel, sir," he said.

And, as Oswald knelt, the king laid the sword across his shoulder, and
said, "Rise, Sir Oswald Forster."

Oswald rose.

"I thank you, my Lord King," he said, "and trust that I may live for
many years to do worthy knightly service to my liege, who has so highly
honoured me."

"My lord," the king said to