"All quiet, Uncle."
"'Tis well; for although methinks that we could hold the place against
the Welshmen, we could hardly hope that some of our posts would not be
cut off, before they could reach the house. It is well to keep watch,
but the more I think of it, the more I feel that Glendower will scarce
attack us. He could not hold the place, did he gain it; and it might
well be that, after we were turned out again, the place would be
destroyed, seeing that it would need two or three hundred men to be
shut up here, in garrison."
After waiting half an hour, Alwyn again made the round of the posts,
and then went in to rouse the party that were to relieve them. As soon
as these issued out, the sentries were called in, and stretched
themselves for three hours' sleep.
Before day dawned, a messenger rode in from Chirk, bearing Earl
Talbot's orders for the evacuation of the house, as there could be no
advantage in retaining it; and, were it empty, Glendower might return
there, and afford them another opportunity for capturing him.
On the following day the party broke up. Lord Grey rode with his men to
Ruthyn, and the forty men-at-arms from Ludlow returned to that town;
where, a few days later, the news arrived that Glendower, with a large
following, had established himself on the rugged height of Corwen, and
was engaged in strengthening the ancient fortifications on its summit.
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