Jedburgh was but ten miles
away, Hawick but six or seven, and any stay after the sun rose would
speedily have brought strong bodies of men from these towns, as well as
from his still nearer neighbours, at Chester, Abbotrule, and Hobkirk.
Oswald's approach was seen, and two of his cousins--Allan, who was a
lad of about the same age, and Janet, a year younger--ran out from the
house to meet him.
"We have been expecting you for the last ten days," the former
exclaimed, "and had well nigh given you up."
"I hold you to be a laggard," the girl added, "and unless you can duly
excuse yourself, shall have naught to say to you."
"My excuse is a good one, Janet. My father made a foray, a fortnight
since, into the Bairds' country, to rescue some of the cattle they had
driven off from our neighbours, some days before. There was a sharp
fight, and Allan Baird was killed; and since then we have been
expecting a return visit from them, and have been sleeping with our
arms beside us. Doubtless they will come someday, but as it is evident
they don't mean to come at present, my father let me leave."
"In that case we must forgive you," the girl said. "Some rumours of the
fray have reached us, and my father shook his head gravely, when he
heard that another Baird had been killed by the Forsters.
Pages:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42