"
"That was a private business, Roger, and he would know that I would
much rather that, when knighthood came, I should receive it for service
in the field. The king regards our coming here as a service to himself,
and therefore rewarded me; but I would rather that it should have been
for service in the field, against the enemy, than for tramping through
the forest."
"Yes, but a forest full of Welshmen," Roger said, "who are more to be
feared, in that way, than when met in open fight."
"Earl Talbot spoke very kindly of me, and said that he had heard that,
with Percy's men, I had done good service in that fight with the Welsh,
near Knighton."
"That was certainly pretty hot work, master--I shall get to say Sir
Oswald, in time; but at present my tongue is not used to it. What are
we to do now?"
"The king asked Lord Talbot to provide me with armour, and a horse; so
we must wait until he comes this way."
It was half an hour before the earl came out.
"The letter was of importance," he said, "and it is well that it was
brought on.
"Now, Sir Oswald, let us see to your matter. Two days ago Sir William
Baxter was killed, by a sudden attack of the Welsh, while he was
burning a village.
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