Although the breaches of the truces caused, as a rule, but little
bloodshed, being in fact but cattle lifting expeditions, it was very
different in time of war, when wholesale massacres took place on both
sides, towns and villages were burned down, and the whole of the
inhabitants put to the sword. Ten years had sufficed to soften the
memory of these events, especially among young people, but each had
heard numberless stories of wrong and slaughter, and felt that, when
war once again broke out in earnest, there was little hope that there
would be any change in the manner in which it would be conducted.
Oswald rode rapidly, until he had crossed the border. The truce would
not expire for another thirteen days, but the raiders might be at work
at any moment; for assuredly there would be no chance of complaints
being made, on the eve of recommencement of general hostilities. He met
no one on the road, until he reached the first hamlet on the English
side. Here he stopped to give his horse half an hour's rest, and a
feed. As he dismounted, two or three of the villagers came up.
"Have you heard aught, lad, of any gatherings on the other side of the
border?"
"None from where I came; but there was a talk that notices had been
sent, through the southern Scottish marches, for all to be in readiness
to gather to the banner without delay, when the summons was received.
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