John Forster, before taking off his own
armour, saw that their wounds were first attended to by his wife and
her women.
"I think they will all do," he said, "and that they will live to strike
another blow at the Bairds, yet.
"Now, Oswald, unbuckle my harness. Your mother will bandage up my arm
and head, and Elspeth shall bring up a full tankard from below, for
each of us. A draught of beer will do as much good as all the salves
and medicaments.
"Do you take the first drink, Jock Samlen, and then go up to the
watchtower. I see the men have been posted in the wall turrets. One of
them shall relieve you, shortly."
As soon as the wounds were dressed, bowls of porridge were served
round; then one of the men who had remained at home was posted at the
lookout; and, after the cattle had been seen to, all who had been on
the road stretched themselves on some rushes at one end of the room,
and were, in a few minutes, sound asleep.
"I wonder whether we shall ever have peace in the land, Oswald," his
mother said with a sigh; as, having seen that the women had all in
readiness for the preparation of the midday meal, she sat down on a low
stool, by his side.
"I don't see how we ever can have, Mother, until either we conquer
Scotland, or the Scotch shall be our masters.
Pages:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26