"It may be as you say, Mother; but for my part, I would rather enter
the service of the Percys, and gain honour under their banner, than
remain here day after day, merely giving aid in driving the cattle in
and out, and wondering when the Bairds are coming this way, again."
His mother shook her head. Her father and two brothers had both been
slain, the last time a Scottish army had crossed the border; and
although she naturally did not regard constant troubles in the same
light in which a southern woman would have viewed them, she still
longed for peace and quiet; and was in constant fear that sooner or
later the feud with the Bairds, who were a powerful family, would cost
her husband his life.
Against open force she had little fear. The hold could resist an attack
for days, and long ere it yielded, help would arrive; but although the
watch was vigilant, and every precaution taken, it might be captured by
a sudden night attack. William Baird had, she knew, sworn a great oath
that Yardhope Hold should one day be destroyed; and the Forsters wiped
out, root and branch. And the death of his cousin Allan, in the last
raid, would surely fan the fire of his hatred against them.
"One never can say what may happen," she said, after a pause; "but if
at any time evil should befall us, and you escape, remember that your
uncle Alwyn is in Percy's service; and you cannot do better than go to
him, and place yourself under his protection, and act as he may advise
you.
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