Another portion of their
army had crossed near Tynehead, and were pouring into Tynedale.
John Forster and his wife had arrived, some days before. Oswald had
found comfortable lodgings for his mother in the town, which was
already crowded with women and children from the border. His father had
left again, at once; but returned, with twenty spears, twelve hours
after the messenger had brought the news.
"I had two or three of my men out," he said to Oswald, as he rode in
and dismounted in the castle yard; "but as soon as I heard that the
Scots had entered Tynedale, I knew that it was time to be off, for they
are sure to send over strong parties to ravage Coquetdale. The road was
well-nigh blocked, in some places, with fugitives. In spite of the
warnings that have been issued, most of the people seem to have thought
that the Scots could never come in their direction, and the news has
caused a panic.
"However, near the border the Scots will find but little plunder. We
have had so many invasions that no man is foolish enough to spend money
on aught that he cannot easily carry away, and the raiders will, there,
find but empty houses. They may sweep in some of the cattle from the
hills, to supply them with food on their march; but more than this they
will not take, as they go south, as it would be but an encumbrance.
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