"Unfortunately, in the storm of rain, having no guide, we lost our way;
and were so detained, near two days, in the forest. This morning, the
weather having changed and the sun come out, we learned the direction
that we must take. On the way we fell in with a party of some twenty
Welshmen, who pursued us hotly. We outran all but five. As their shouts
would have brought large numbers upon us, we stopped and slew them; and
though search was hot for us, we succeeded in making our way through,
without adventure, until we came out from the forest, close by."
"Truly it was an adventure of great peril," the earl said, "for the
Welsh are swarming round us; though we see nought of them, when we are
once in the saddle. Assuredly you would never have got through, even as
far as Llanidloes, if you had followed the road on horseback; for the
last party that came along brought word that the Welsh had felled trees
across it, in many places, and had broken down the bridges.
"It was a gallant exploit, sir. I will, myself, take you in to the
king."
Oswald took off his jerkin.
"I am but in poor plight to show myself before his majesty," he said,
as he handed it to Roger.
"Ah! I remember this good fellow," the earl said.
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