an draw no strength from
there. As to Durham, they urge, and with some truth that, as the Scots
have, before now, laid portions of their county waste, they cannot send
their forces so far north as this place; as it would leave them
unprotected, should the enemy march through Tynedale into their county.

"The king has entered Wales with the fighting men of thirty-four
counties, so from him no aid can be expected; and it seems to me that
we shall be quite unable to make head against the invasion; though
assuredly, when we have gathered our forces, and are joined by those
Dunbar will bring us, we will meet them as they return, spoil laden, to
the border."

Well-mounted messengers had been placed on every road by which the
Scots could cross the border; and on the 18th of August, one came with
the news that, twelve hours before, they had crossed into Cumberland at
Kirksop Foot; that they were reported to be ten thousand strong; and
that a dozen villages were already in flames. Another portion of their
army had crossed near Tynehead, and were pouring into Tynedale.

John Forster and his wife had arrived, some days before. Oswald had
found comfortable lodgings for his mother in the town, which was
already crowded with women and children from the border. His father had
left again, at once; but returned, with twenty spears, twelve hours
after the messenger had brought the news.

"I had two or three of my men out," he said to Oswald, as he rode in
and dismounted in the castle yard; "but as soon as I heard that the
Scots had entered Tynedale, I knew that it was time to be off, for they
are sure to send over strong parties to ravage Coquetdale. The road was
well-nigh blocked, in some places, with fugitives. In spite of the
warnings that have been issued, most of the people seem to have thought
that the Scots could never come in their direction, and the news has
caused a panic.

"However, near the border the Scots will find but little plunder. We
have had so many invasions that no man is foolish enough to spend money
on aught that he cannot easily carry away, and the raiders will, there,
find but empty houses. They may sweep in some of the cattle from the
hills, to supply them with food on their march; but more than this they
will not take, as they go south, as it would be but an encumbrance."

In a few days a strong force was collected at Alnwick; but, though
chafing at the news of the terrible devastations, that were being m