I am
glad, indeed, to see that it was the latter.
"I hear that the king's army is falling back. A messenger brought me
news from my kinsman. He said that it was but a rumour that had reached
him; but that it seemed likely enough, for it was said that they had
suffered terribly, both from the weather and the attacks of the Welsh."
"That rumour is true, Sir Henry, and also that the army is retiring."
"And they have done no more than they did before?"
"No more, indeed, Sir Henry. They have burnt many villages, and slain
many Welshmen; but they have done nothing, whatever, towards subduing
Glendower."
Chapter 19: The Battle Of Homildon Hill.
"But how have you made your way back, ahead of the army?" Hotspur
asked, after Oswald had given him full information as to the military
operations.
"Roger and I were left for dead, in that fight I have told you of, near
Llanidloes; and we fell into the hands of the Welsh, and were taken
before Glendower, who treated us well, and put me to ransom, with the
engagement that I was not again to bear arms, in Wales."
"That was a strange leniency, on his part," Hotspur exclaimed; "for I
hear he puts to the sword all who fall into his hands, without any
regard for the rules of civilized war.
Pages:
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471