You might get as far as
Llanidloes, or Llanfair, whichever route you might choose, though I
think not that you would do so; but beyond that, it would be hopeless
for any force, of less than five hundred good fighting men, to attempt
to make their way through.
"From what I hear, there are at least fifteen thousand Welshmen in
arms. Many, doubtless, are with Glendower himself. The rest will be
scattered among the hills, ready to pounce upon any party who may be
moving up the valleys to join the king; and there are plenty of places
where a couple of hundred men could check the advance of an army."
"Then it is all the more necessary, sir, that we should trust to good
fortune, and to making our way unseen. May I pray you to take care of
our horses, till we return to claim them? Should we never do so, there
are doubtless many upon whom you could bestow them; and they are both
rarely good animals, for one was presented to me by Sir Henry Percy,
and the other by Sir Edmund Mortimer."
"I will take care of them, willingly. If you do not return, before the
king marches back; and I find, when he comes, that you did not reach
him; I will use the horses myself, holding them always as your property
should you, at any time, return to claim them.
Pages:
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412