The horses
had already been sent up to the castle and, after sleeping for a few
hours, the two left the town and, turning to the right, ascended the
hill.
Oswald carried his sword and dagger. Roger, in addition to these, had a
heavy oaken quarterstaff.
"This," he said, "may be of service in mountain work, and may suffice
to crack the skulls of any half-dozen Welshmen we may fall in with."
Both had put on plain leather jerkins and cloth caps, and wore,
underneath, their own suits with the Percy cognizance embroidered on
them, in order that they might present themselves in proper attire,
should they arrive at the king's camp. The weather was already becoming
cold, and the double suit was therefore not uncomfortable. As the dress
of the Welsh, in the towns and valleys, was very similar to that worn
by English villagers; they would attract but little attention, should
they have cause to take to the road, for any short distance.
Keeping within the edge of the belt of trees, they followed the valley
down past the ruins of Montgomery, and passed Newtown without entering
it. Many times during the morning they heard loud shouts, from the
woods in which they were, answered by similar cries from the other side
of the valley; and were obliged to move with great caution, for it was
evident that a considerable number of Welsh were in ambush in the
woods, in readiness to attack any party who might be proceeding up or
down the valley.
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