He was,
therefore, doubtful as to what course to adopt, when this gentleman
volunteered to carry it to you; and this he has accomplished, attended
by but a single follower. Knowing that he could only hope to reach you
on foot, he and his man-at-arms left their horses at Welshpool; and
have made their way through the woods on foot, not without adventure,
having lost their way in the storm, and having slept in the wood for
two days, and killed five Welshmen, scarcely escaping a crowd of others
as they came in."
"A very gallant deed, sir," the king said to Oswald, as the latter bent
upon one knee and handed the letter to him. "By Our Lady, it was no
slight thing to venture through the woods, swarming with these wild
Welshmen. How long have you been an esquire to Percy?"
"Over three years, sire."
"I met Master Forster at Chester," the earl said. "He commanded a score
of Percy's men, and rode with us when we captured Glendower's house.
The knights with him told me that he and his little band had done
excellent service, in the fight when the Welsh made their first
irruption; and that Sir Henry Percy had written in the warmest terms to
Mortimer, saying that the gentleman stood high in his regard, and that
he had the most perfect confidence in him, and had selected him for the
service since he was able to write well, and could, therefore,
communicate freely with him as to the troubles on the Welsh border.
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