"I have driven all our cattle in, in case they should make straight
here, after losing our track. Of course, there were many who fought
against us who know us all well; but even were it other than the Bairds
we had despoiled, they would hardly follow us so far across the border
to fetch their cattle.
"As for the Bairds, the most notorious of the Scottish raiders, for
them to claim the right of following would be beyond all bearing. Why,
I don't believe there was a head of cattle among the whole herd that
had not been born, and bred, on this side of the border. It is we who
have been fetching back stolen goods."
By this time, he and his men had entered the house, and those who had
gone through the fray scatheless were, assisted by the women, removing
the armour from their wounded comrades. Those who had been forced to
relinquish their spears were first attended to.
There was no thought of sending for a leech. Every man and woman within
fifty miles of the border was accustomed to the treatment of wounds,
and in every hold was a store of bandages, styptics, and unguents ready
for instant use. Most of the men were very sorely wounded; and had they
been of less hardy frame, and less inured to hardships, could not have
supported the long ride.
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