Chapter 5: A Mission.
For the next three or four months, Oswald was but little at the castle;Percy utilizing his services, in the manner most agreeable to him, bysending him on errands to various knights and gentlemen, in differentparts of Northumberland, and to the fortified places held by theEnglish across the Border. A fortnight after his contest with Sinclair,Sir Henry formally appointed him one of his esquires.
"You are young," he said, "for such a post; but as you have shown thatyou are well able to take care of yourself in arms, and as I perceiveyou to be shrewd and worthy of confidence, your age matters but little.As my messenger, you will be more useful travelling as one of myesquires, than as one without settled rank; and I can not only sendwritten communications by you, but can charge you to speak fully in myname, and with my authority."
Oswald was not slow in finding out the advantages that the positiongave him. On the first errands on which he had been sent, he had beentreated as but an ordinary messenger, had been placed at dinner belowthe salt, and herded with the men-at-arms. As an esquire of Lord Percy,he was treated with all courtesy, was introduced to the ladies of thefamily, sat at the high table, and was regarded as being in theconfidence of his lord. His youth excited some little surprise, butacted in his favour, because it was evident that Percy would not havenominated him as one of his esquires, had he not shown particularmerit. In his journeys, he often passed near Yardhope, where therebuilding of the wall and keep was being pushed on with much vigour;the inhabitants of the villages in the valley lending their assistanceto restore the fortalice, which they regarded as a place of refuge, incase of sudden invasion by the Scots. His parents were both greatlypleased at his promotion, especially his mother, who had always beenanxious that he should not settle down to the adventurous, anddangerous, life led by his father.
"By our Lady," John Forster said, "though it be but six months sinceyou first left us, you have changed rarely. I speak not of your finegarments, but you have grown and widened out, and are fast springingfrom a boy into a man; and it is no small thing that Percy should havethought so well of you as to make you one of his esquires, already."
"It was from no merit of mine, Father, but because he thought that, ashis messenger, I should be able to speak in his name with moreauthority than had I been merely the bearer of a letter from him."
"'Tis not only that," his father replied. "I received a letter but twodays since from my brother Alwyn, written by the hand of a monk of hisacquaintance, telling me that Lord Percy was mightily pleased with you;not only because you had set yourself to read and write, but from theway in which you had defeated one of his esquires in a bout at arms.Alwyn said that he doubted not that you would win knightly spurs, assoon as you came to full manhood. So it is clear that merit hadsomething to do with your advancement, though this may be also due, tosome extent, to the cause you assign for it. The monk who wrote theletter added, on his own account, that he had been your preceptor; andthat, though he had often rated you soundly, you had made wonderfulprogress."
"The monk is a good teacher," Oswald laughed; "but he would have made abetter man-at-arms than he will ever make a monk. I believe it pleasedhim more that I worsted Sinclair--which indeed was a small thing to do,seeing that he had no idea of fighting, save of charging straight at afoe--than at the progress I made at my books. He commands thecontingent that the monastery sends, when Percy takes the field torepel an invasion; and, could he have his own will, would gladlyexchange a monk's robes for the harness of a man-at-arms. I would wishfor no stouter companion in the fray."
The speed with which he had performed his journeys, and theintelligence which he showed in carrying out his missions and reportingon their issue, earned for the lad an increasing amount of liking andconfidence, on the part of his lord. It was not only that he deliveredthe replies to Hotspur's messages accurately; but his remarks, upon thepersonal manner and bearing of those to whom he was sent, were of stillgreater value to Percy. Naturally, all had promised to have theircontingent of fighting men ready, in case of serious invasion by theScots; but Oswald was able to gather, from their manner, whether thepromises would surely be fulfilled; or whether, in case of trouble, theknights were more likely to keep their array for the defence of theirown castles than to join Percy in any general movement.
One day, when Oswald had been engaged six months at this work, whichhad taken him several times into Cumberland and Westmoreland, as wellas the north, Lord Percy summoned him to his private apartment.
"Hitherto you have done well, Oswald, and I feel now that I can trustyou with a mission of far higher importance than those you havehitherto performed. 'Tis not without its dangers, but I know that youwill like it none the less for that reason. You are young, indeed, forbusiness of such importance; but it seems to me that, of those aroundme, you would be best fitted to carry it out. Your manner of speech haschanged much, since you came here; but doubtless you can fall at willinto the border dialect, which differs little from that on the otherside; and you can pass, well enough, as coming from Jedburgh, or anyother place across the border.
"All the world knows, lad, that George, Earl of March and Dunbar, wasmightily offended at Rothesay breaking off the match with his daughter,and marrying the child of his rival Douglas; but now I am going to tellyou what the world does not know, and which is a secret that would costmany a life, were it to be blabbed abroad, and which I should not tellyou, had I not a perfect confidence in your discretion. The anger ofMarch--as he is mostly called on this side of the border, while inScotland they more often call him Earl of Dunbar--goes beyond meredispleasure with the Douglas, and sullen resentment against Rothesay.He has sent a confidential messenger to me, intimating that he is readyto acknowledge our king as his sovereign, and place himself and hisforces at his disposal.
"I see you are surprised, as is indeed but natural; but the Marcheshave ever been rather for England than for Scotland, although they havenever gone so far as to throw off their allegiance to the Scottishthrone. It is not for us to consider whether March is actingtreacherously, to James of Scotland; but whether he is acting in goodfaith, towards us.
"It was easy for him to send a messenger to me, since Scotland tradeswith England, and a ship bound for London might well touch at one ofour ports on the way down; but the presence of an Englishman, atDunbar, would not be so readily explained. His messenger especiallyenjoined on me not to send any communication in writing, even by themost trustworthy hand; since an accident might precipitate matters, anddrive him to take up arms, before we were in a position to give himaid. Therefore, in the first place, I wish you to journey to Dunbar, tosee the earl, and deliver to him the message I shall give you, andendeavour to inform yourself how far he is to be trusted. Say what hewill, I can scarce bring myself to believe that he will really throwoff his allegiance to Scotland; save in the event of a great Englisharmy marching north, when doubtless he would do what most Scotch nobleshave always done, namely, hasten to give in his submission, and makethe best terms he can, for himself. 'Tis a business which I like not,although it is my duty to accept a proposal that, if made in goodfaith, would be of vast value to the king.
"You must, after seeing the earl, return here with all speed, to bearme any message March may give you, and to report your impressions as tohis sincerity, and good faith. 'Tis a month since I received hismessage. Since then, I have communicated with the king, and havereceived his authority to arrange terms with March, to guarantee him inthe possession of his lordships, to hand over to him certain tracts ofthe Douglas country which he bargained for, and to assure him of oursupport. But he must be told that the king urges him to delay, atpresent, from taking any open steps; as, in the first place, he isbound by the truce just arranged, for the next two years; and in thesecond because, having no just cause of quarrel with Scotland, andbeing at present but newly seated on the throne, he would havedifficulty in raising an army for the invasion of that country. Theking is ready to engage himself not to renew the truce, a
nd to collectan army, in readiness to act in concert with him, as soon as it isterminated.
"The earl has sent, by his messenger, a ring; which, on being presentedat Dunbar, will gain for the person who carries it immediate access tohim; and I shall also give you my signet, in token that you are comefrom me. You will carry, also, a slip of paper that can be easilyconcealed, saying that you have my full authority to speak in my name.You yourself can explain to him that I have selected you for themission because of your knowledge of border speech, and because a youthof your age can pass unobserved, where a man might excite attention andremark, and possibly be detained, until he could render a satisfactoryaccount of himself.
"Here are the conditions, set down upon paper. Take it, and commit themto heart, and then tear the paper into shreds, and burn them. As far asRoxburgh you can, of course, ride as my squire; but beyond, you musttravel in disguise. This you had better procure here, and take withyou; for although the Governor of Roxburgh is a trusty knight, it werebest that no soul should know that you go on a mission to March; and Ishall simply give you a letter to him, stating that you are engaged ina venture in my service, and that your horse and armour are to be keptfor you, until your return."
Thanking Lord Percy for the honour done him, in selecting him for themission, and promising him to carry it out, to the best of his power,Oswald retired and, making his way up to an inner room, set aboutlearning the contents of the paper given him, which was, indeed, a copyof the royal letter to Percy. When he had thoroughly mastered all thedetails, and could repeat every word, he followed Sir Henry'sinstructions, tore the letter up, and carefully burned every fragment.Then he went out into the town, and bought garments suited fortravelling unnoticed in Scotland, the dress being almost identical onboth sides of the border, save for the lowland Scotch bonnet.
On his return, he found that Lord Percy had sent for him during hisabsence, and he at once went to his apartments.
"I have been thinking over this matter further," Sir Henry said. "Theabbot came in, just as you left me; and, among other things, hementioned that friar Roger had again fallen into disgrace, having goneso far as to strike the sub-prior on the cheek, almost breaking the jawof that worthy man; and that, finding discipline and punishment of noavail with him, he was about to expel him, in disgrace, from thecommunity. He said that he had only retained him so long on account ofmy goodwill for the fellow, and from the fact that he would, as I hadoften urged, be most valuable as leader of the abbot's forces, in caseof troubles with the Scots, but that his last offence has passed allbearing.
"For the time I could say nothing, for discipline must be maintained,in a monastery as well as in the castle; but after the abbot had leftme, and I was walking up and down in vexation over the affair--for Ilike the rascal, in spite of his ways, and there is no one else whocould so well lead the contingent of the monastery--a thought occurredto me. I like not your going altogether alone, for the times arelawless, and you might meet trouble on the road; and yet I did not seewhom I could send with you. Now it seems to me that this stout knavewould make an excellent companion for you.
"In the first place, you like him, and he likes you; secondly, a monktravelling north on a mission, say from the abbot to the prior of amonastery near Dunbar, could pass anywhere unheeded; and in the thirdplace, although as a peaceful man he could carry no military arms, hemight yet take with him a staff, with which I warrant me he would be amatch for two or three ordinary men; and lastly, I may be able toconvince the abbot that he can thus get rid of him from the monastery,for some time, and avoid the scandals he occasions, and yet hold himavailable on his return for military service.
"What say you, lad?"
"I should like it much, Sir Henry. I could wish for no stoutercompanion; and although he may be quarrelsome with his fellows, it is,methinks, solely because the discipline of the monastery frets him, andhe longs for a more active life; but I believe that he could be fullytrusted to behave himself discreetly, were he engaged in outdoor work,and there can be no doubt that he is a stout man-at-arms, in all ways."
"I should not trust him, in any way, with the object of your mission.If I obtain the abbot's consent, I shall simply send for him, rate himsoundly for his conduct, but telling him I make all allowances for hisnatural unfitness for his vocation; and that I have, as a matter ofgrace, obtained from the abbot permission to use his services for awhile, and to suspend his sentence upon him, until it be seen how hecomports himself; and, with that view, I am about to send him as yourcompanion, on a commission with which I have intrusted you, to the townof Dunbar. I shall hint that, if he behaves to my satisfaction, I maypersuade the abbot to allow him to remain in my service, until the timecomes when he may be useful to the convent for military work; he stillundertaking to drill the lay brothers, and keep the abbot's contingentin good order; and that, when the troubles are at an end, I will obtainfor him full absolution from his vows, so that he may leave themonastery without the disgrace of being expelled, and may then takeservice with me, or with another, as a man-at-arms.
"I wish you to be frank with me. If you would rather go alone, mattersshall remain as they are."
"I would much rather that he went with me, my lord. From the manyconversations that I have had with him, I am sure that he is shrewd andclever, and that, once beyond the walls of the monastery and free touse his weapon, he would be full of resource. There is doubtless muchlawlessness on both sides of the border, and although I should seem butlittle worth robbing, two travel more pleasantly than one; and the monkhas taken such pains with me, and has been so kind, that there is noone with whom I would travel, with greater pleasure."
"Then I will go across to the monastery, at once, and see the abbot;and I doubt not that he will grant my request, for, much and often asbrother Roger has given him cause for anger, I know that he has a sortof kindness for him, and will gladly avoid the necessity for punishingand disgracing him. If all is arranged, the monk shall come over here,and see you."
An hour later, Brother Roger came in to the captain's quarters.
"So you have been in trouble again, Brother Roger," Alwyn Forster saidwith a laugh, as he held out his hand to him.
"That have I, and an hour ago I was lying in a prison cell, cursing myhot temper; and with, as it seemed, the certainty of being publiclyunfrocked, and turned out like a mangy dog from a pack. It was not,mind you, that the thought of being unfrocked was altogetherdisagreeable; for I own that I am grievously ill fitted for myvocation, and that fasts and vigils are altogether hateful to me; butit would not be a pleasant thing to go out into the world as one whohad been kicked out, and though I might get employment as aman-at-arms, I could never hope for any promotion, however well I mightbehave. However, half an hour ago the cell door was opened, and I wastaken before the abbot, whom I found closeted with Hotspur.
"The latter rated me soundly, but said that, for the sake of Otterburn,he had spoken for me to the abbot; and that as he would, for thepresent, be able to make use of me in work that would be more to myliking, the abbot had consented to reconsider his decision, and wouldlend me to him for a time, in hopes that my good conduct would, in theend, induce him to overlook my offences; and that, in that case, hemight even be induced to take steps, of a less painful description thanpublic disgrace, for freeing me of my gown.
"I naturally replied that I was grateful for his lordship'sintercession; and that, outside monkish offices, there was nothing Iwould not do to merit his kindness. He told me that I was to reportmyself to your nephew, who would inform me of the nature of the serviceupon which I was, at first, to be employed."
"It is to undertake a journey with me," Oswald said. "I am going on amission for our lord, to Dunbar. The object of my mission is one thatconcerns me only, but it is one of some importance; and as the roadsare lonely, since March and Douglas quarrelled, and order is but badlykept on the other side of the border, he thought that I should be allthe better for a companion. Assuredly, I could wish for none betterthan y
ourself, for in the first place you have proved a true friend tome; in the second, you have so much knowledge, that we shall not lacksubjects for conversation upon the journey; and lastly, should I getinto any trouble, I could reckon upon you as a match for two or threeborder robbers."
"Nothing could be more to my taste," the monk said joyfully. "I did notfeel quite sure, before, whether I was glad or sorry that my expulsionwas put off, for I always thought that it would come to that some day;but now that I learn for what service Hotspur intends me, I feel as ifI could shout for joy.
"Get me a flagon of beer, good Alwyn. I have drunk but water for thelast twenty-four hours, and was in too great haste, to learn what wasbefore me, even to pay a visit to brother Anselm, the cellarer, who isa stanch friend of mine.
"And do I go as a man-at-arms, Master Oswald? For, as your mission isclearly of a private character, disguise may be needful."
"No, Roger, you will go in your own capacity, as a monk, journeying ona mission from the abbot to the head of some religious community, nearDunbar. I doubt not that Lord Percy will obtain a letter from theabbot, and though it may be that there will be no need to deliver it,still it may help us on the way. As you are going with me, I shallattire myself as a young lay servitor of the convent."
"I would that it had been otherwise," the monk said, with a sigh. "Ishould have travelled far more lightly, in the heaviest mail harness,than in this monk's robe. Besides, how can I carry arms, for use incase of necessity?"
"You can carry a staff," Oswald said, laughing; "and being so big aman, you will assuredly require a long and heavy one; and, even if itis heavily shod with iron, no one need object."
"That is not so bad, Master Oswald. A seven-foot staff, of thethickness of my wrist; with an iron shoe, weighing a pound or two, is acarnal weapon not to be despised. As you doubtless know, our bishops,when they ride in the field, always carry a mace instead of a sword, sothat they may not shed blood; though I say not that the cracking of aman's skull is to be accomplished, without some loss thereof. However,if a bishop may lawfully crack a man's head, as an eggshell, I see notthat blame can attach to me, a humble and most unworthy son of thechurch, if some slight harm should come to any man, from the use of sopeaceful an instrument as a staff. And how about yourself, youngmaster?"
"I can carry a sword," Oswald replied. "In times like these, no mantravels unarmed; and as I go as a servitor, and an assistant to yourreverence, there will be nothing unseemly in my carrying a weapon, todefend you from the attack of foes."
"You can surely take a dagger, too. A dagger is a meet companion to asword, and is sometimes mighty useful, in a close fight. And, mark me,take a smaller dagger also, that can be concealed under your coat. Imyself will assuredly do the same. There are many instances in which atrifle of that kind might come in useful, such as for shooting the lockof a door, or working out iron bars."
"I will do so," Oswald said, "though I hope there will be no occasion,such as you say, for its use."
"When do we start, Master Oswald?"
"Tomorrow, at daybreak. We shall ride as far as Roxburgh. I shall go onmy own horse, which, though as good an animal as was ever saddled, hasbut a poor appearance. You had best purchase a palfrey, as fat andsleek as may be found, but with strength enough to carry your weight. Ishall be amply provided with money; and if you find a bargain, let meknow, and I will give you the means. Mind, buy nothing that looks likea warhorse, but something in keeping with your appearance."
That evening, Oswald had another interview with Percy, and received hisfinal instructions, and a bag of money.
"Be careful with it, lad," he said; "not so much because of the usethat it may be to you, but because, were you seized and searched byrobbers, and others, the sight of the gold might awake suspicions thatyou were not what you seemed, and might lead to a long detention. Keepyour eye on Brother Roger, and see that he does not indulge too much inthe wine cups, and that he comports himself rather in keeping with hisattire, than with his natural disposition; and if you have anydifficulty in restraining him, or if he does not obey your orders, sendhim back, at once. Will you see him again this evening?"
"He is waiting for me in my apartment, now, my lord, having come forthe money for the purchase of a palfrey, which I bade him get."
"Send him to me, when you get there."
When the monk appeared before Hotspur, the latter said, "See here,monk, I have saved you from punishment, and become, as it were, yoursurety. See that you do not discredit me. You will remember that,although my young esquire may ask your advice, and benefit by yourexperience, he is your leader; and his orders, when he gives them, areto be obeyed as promptly as if it were I myself who spoke, to one of mymen-at-arms. He is my representative in the matter, and is obeying myorders, as you will obey his. The mission is one of importance, and ifit fails from any fault of yours, you had better drown yourself in thefirst river you come to, than return to Northumberland."
"I think that you can trust me, my lord," the monk said, calmly. "I ama very poor monk, but methinks that I am not a bad soldier; andalthough I go in the dress of the one, I shall really go as the other.I know that my duty, as a soldier, will be to obey. Even as regards mypotations, which I own are sometimes deeper than they should be,methinks that, as a soldier, I shall be much less thirsty than I was asa monk. If the enterprise should fail from any default of mine, yourlordship may be sure that I shall bear your advice in mind."
"I doubt not that you will do well, Roger. I should not have sent youwith my esquire, on such a business, had I not believed that you wouldprove yourself worthy of my confidence. I know that a man may be a goodsoldier, and even a wise counsellor, though he may be a very bad monk."
The next morning the pair rode out from the castle, at daybreak. Rogerwas dressed in the usual monkish attire of the time, a long loose gownwith a cape, and a head covering resembling a small turban. He rode acompactly built little horse, which seemed scarce capable of carryinghis weight, but ambled along with him as if it scarcely felt it. Oswaldwas dressed as a lay servitor, in tightly-fitting high hose, shortjerkin girt in by a band at the waist, and going half-way down to theknee. He rode his own moorland horse, and carried on his arm a basketwith provisions for a day's march. He wore a small cloth cap, whichfell down to his neck behind. His uncle accompanied him to the gate,which was, by his orders, opened to give them egress.
"Goodbye, lad," he said. "I know not, and do not wish to know, theobject of your journey. It is enough for me that it is a confidentialmission for Hotspur, and I am proud that you should have been chosenfor it, and I feel convinced that you will prove you have merited ourlord's confidence.
"Goodbye, friend Roger! Don't let your love of fisticuffs and hardknocks carry you away, but try and bear yourself as if you were stillin the monastery, with the abbot keeping his eye upon you."
Brother Roger laughed.
"You make a cold shiver run down my back, Alwyn. I was feeling as if Ihad just got out of a cold cellar, into the sunshine, and could shoutwith very lightness of heart. I am not in the least disposed to quarrelwith anyone, so let your mind be easy as to my doings. I shall bediscretion itself; and even if I am called upon to strike, will do soas gently as may be, putting only such strength into the blow as willprevent an opponent from troubling us further."
So, with a wave of the hand, they rode on.
"I had better strap that staff beside your saddle, and under yourknee," Oswald said, when they had ridden a short distance. "You carryit as if it were a spear, and I have seen already three or four peoplesmile, as we passed them."
Roger reluctantly allowed Oswald to fasten the staff beside him.
"One wants something in one's hands," he said. "On foot it does notmatter so much, but now I am on horseback again, I feel that I ought tohave a spear in hand, and a sword dangling at my side."
"You must remember that you are still a monk, Roger, although enlargedfor a season. Some day, perhaps, you will be able to gratify yourdesires
in that way. You had best moderate the speed of your horse, foralthough he ambles along merrily, at present, he can never carry thatgreat carcase of yours, at this pace, through our journey."
"I should like one good gallop," Roger sighed, as he pulled at therein, and the horse proceeded at a pace better suited to the appearanceof its rider.
"A nice figure you would look, with your robes streaming behind you,"Oswald laughed. "There would soon be a story going through the country,of a mad monk.
"Now, we take this turning to the right, and here leave the main northroad, for we are bound, in the first place, to Roxburgh."
"I thought that it must be that, or Berwick, though I asked noquestions."
"We shall not travel like this beyond Roxburgh, but shall journeyforward on foot."
"I supposed that we should come to that, Master Oswald, for otherwiseyou would not have told me to provide myself with a staff."
They journeyed pleasantly along. Whenever they approached any town orlarge village, Oswald reined back his horse a little, so that its headwas on a level with Roger's stirrup. They slept that night atKirknewton, where they put up at a small hostelry. Oswald had intendedgoing to the monastery there, but Roger begged so earnestly that theyshould put up elsewhere, that he yielded to him.
"I should have no end of questions asked, as to our journey across theborder, and its object," Roger said; "and it always goes against myconscience to have to lie, unless upon pressing occasions."
"And, moreover," Oswald said, with a laugh, "you might be expected toget up to join the community at prayers, at midnight; and they mightgive you a monk's bed, instead of a more comfortable one in the guestchambers."
"There may be something in that," Roger admitted, "and I have so oftento sleep on a stone bench, for the punishment of my offences, that Iown to a weakness for a soft bed, when I can get one."
However, Oswald was pleased to see that his follower behaved, at theirresting place, with more discretion than he could have hoped for;although he somewhat surprised his host, by the heartiness of hisappetite; but, on the other hand, he was moderate in his potations, andtalked but little, retiring to a bed of thick rushes, at curfew.
"In truth, I was afraid to trust myself," he said to Oswald, as theylay down side by side. "Never have I felt so free, sinceOtterburn--never, indeed, since that unfortunate day when I waswounded, and conceived the fatal idea of becoming a monk. Two or threetimes, the impulse to troll out a trooper's song was so strong in me,that I had to clap my hand over my mouth, to keep it in."
"'Tis well you did, Roger, for assuredly if you had so committedyourself, on the first day of starting, I must have sent you back toAlnwick, feeling that it would not be safe for you to proceed with mefarther. When we get upon the Cheviots, tomorrow, you may lift yourvoice as you choose; but it were best that you confined yourself to aLatin canticle, even there, for the habit of breaking into songs of theother kind might grow upon you."
"I will do so," Roger said, seriously. "Some of the canticles haveplenty of ring and go, and the words matter not, seeing that I do notunderstand them."
The next morning they resumed their journey, crossed the Cheviots,which were here comparatively low hills; and, after four hours' riding,arrived at Roxburgh.
"Why do we come here?" Roger asked. "It would surely have been muchshorter had we travelled through Berwick, and along the coast road."
"Much shorter, Roger; but Sir Henry thought it better that we should goinland to Haddington, and thence east to Dunbar; as, thus entering thetown, it would seem that we came from Edinburgh, or from some westernmonastery; whereas, did we journey by the coast road, it might beguessed that we had come from England."
As before, they put up at a hostelry; and Oswald then proceeded, onfoot, to the governor's house. Some soldiers were loitering at thedoor.
"What do you want, lad?" one of them asked, as he came up.
"I have a letter, which I am charged to deliver into the governor's ownhands."
"A complaint, I suppose, from some worthy prior, who has lost some ofhis beeves?"
"Maybe the governor will inform you, if you ask him," Oswald replied.
"I shall pull your ear for you, when you come out, young jackanapes,"the soldier said, hotly.
"That danger I must even risk. Business first, and pleasureafterwards."
And while the other soldiers burst into a fit of laughter, at theastonishment of their comrade at what he deemed the insolence of thisyoung servitor of a monastery, he quietly entered. The guard at thedoor, who had heard the colloquy, led him into the governor's room.
"A messenger with a letter desires speech with you, Sir Philip," hesaid.
"Bid him enter," the knight said, briefly.
Oswald entered, and bowed deeply. He waited until the door closedbehind the attendant, and then said:
"I am the bearer of a letter, sir, from Lord Percy to you."
The knight looked at him in surprise.
"Hotspur has chosen a strange messenger," he muttered to himself, as hetook the missive Oswald held out to him, cut the silk that bound itwith a dagger, and read its contents. As he laid it down, he rose tohis feet.
"Excuse my want of courtesy," he said. "Lord Percy tells me that youare one of his esquires--no slight recommendation--and that you areintrusted with somewhat important a mission, on his part, to Dunbar, astill higher recommendation--for assuredly he would not have selectedyou for such a purpose, had you not stood high in his regard. But,indeed, at first I took you for what you seemed, as the bearer of acomplaint from some abbot; for in truth, such complaints are notuncommon, for whenever a bullock is lost, they put it down to my men.
"Where are your horses that Percy speaks of? You will, I hope, take upyour abode here, as long as you stay in the town."
"Thank you, Sir Philip; but I shall go forward in the morning. I havealready put up at the Golden Rose. It would attract attention, were Ito come here, and it were best that I remain as I am; and indeed, Ihave brought no clothes with me, save those I stand in."
"Well, perhaps, as you do not wish to attract attention, it were bestso; and I pray you inform Lord Percy of the reason why you declined myentertainment."
"I shall be glad, Sir Philip, if you will send down a couple of yourmen to fetch the horses up to your stables; as I shall start, as soonas the gates are open, tomorrow morning."
"I will do so, at once."
And the governor rang a handbell on the table.
"Send two of the men up here," he said, as an attendant entered.
A minute later a door opened, and two soldiers came in, and saluted.One of them, to Oswald's amusement, was the man with whom he hadexchanged words, below.
"You will accompany this gentleman to the Golden Rose, and bring backtwo horses, which he will hand over to you, and place them in thestables with mine.
"Are you sure, Master Forster, that there is nothing more that I can dofor you?"
"Nothing, whatever, I thank you, sir; and I am greatly obliged by yourcourtesy, and with your permission I will take my leave. I hope toreturn here in the course of a week, or ten days."
So saying, Oswald shook hands with the governor and went downstairs,followed by the soldiers, who had not yet recovered from their surpriseat seeing Oswald seated, and evidently on familiar terms with theirlord. Oswald said nothing to them, until he arrived at the Golden Rose.Then he led the way to the stables, and handed the horses over to them.
"I suppose that that pulling of the ear will be deferred, for a time?"he said, with a smile, to the soldier who had made the remark.
The man sheepishly took hold of the bridle.
"I could not tell, sir--" he began.
"Of course you could not," Oswald interrupted. "Still, it may be alesson, to you, that it is just as well not to make fun of people,until you are quite sure who they are. There, I bear no malice; getyourselves a stoup of wine, in payment for your services."
"I thought that there was something out of the way
about him," theother man said, as they walked up the street with the two horses; "orhe would never have turned upon you, as he did. It is evident that heis someone of consequence, and is here on some secret business orother, with Sir Philip. It is well that he did not bear malice, for youwould have got it hot, from the governor, had he reported what you saidto him."