On first starting, they had made a long march
to Welshpool, and thence had proceeded to Newtown. On the way, the
Welsh had rushed down from the hills, and had fallen on the baggage,
slain many of the drivers, and killed so many horses that it had been
necessary to leave some of the waggons behind.
At Newtown they halted, and parties had been sent out in all directions
to harry the country, while a part of the force left at Welshpool
marched upon Llanfair. This was the last news that had come through
from the king.
But from Welshpool they heard, next day, that there had been several
skirmishes with the Welsh, and that heavy rains had made the roads all
but impassable. No more messages had come. This was not surprising, as
it was certain that the Welsh would close in behind the army, as it
advanced; and as there would be no great occasion to send news back,
the king would not care to weaken himself, by detaching escorts of
sufficient strength to make their way down.
"If we could have been sure which way the king had been going, Roger,
it would have been much shorter for us to have made direct for
Llanidloes."
"Certainly it would, Master Oswald; but you see, he might have turned
more to the north, in which case we should have, perhaps, been unable
to gather news of his whereabouts, while we should have run no small
risk of getting our throats cut.
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