You are clever with your arms, I
will freely admit; as you ought to be, seeing that you practise for two
hours a day with the men. But strength counts as well as skill, and you
want both when you ride against the Bairds; besides, at present you
have still much to learn about the paths through the fells, and across
the morasses. If you are ever to become a leader, you must know them
well enough to traverse them on the darkest night, or through the
thickest mist."
"I think that I do know most of them, Father."
"Yes, I think you do, on this side of the border; but you must learn
those on the other side, as well. They are, indeed, of even greater
importance in case of pursuit, or for crossing the border unobserved.
Hitherto, I have forbidden you to cross the line, but in future Mat
Wilson shall go with you. He knows the Scotch passes and defiles,
better than any in the band; and so that you don't go near the Bairds'
country, you can traverse them safely, so long as the truce lasts."
For years, indeed, Oswald, on one of the hardy little horses, had
ridden over the country in company with one or other of the men; and
had become familiar with every morass, moor, fell, and pass, down to
the old Roman wall to the south, and as far north as Wooler, being
frequently absent for three or four days at a time.
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