It will be a grief for us to lose masters we love,
and to have to pay our quittance with money or service to a new lord;
but beyond that, we risk nought save our lives in battle. Therefore I
trouble myself, in no way, as to the matter between the Percys and the
king, which I take it in no way concerns me; and am content to do my
duty, and to render my service, as I have sworn to do."
"It is well, Sir Oswald," Roger said, after a long pause, "that
Glendower gave us those rings; for from all accounts he and his
Welshmen are more furious than ever, and there would be small chance of
our ever reaching him, without them. The chain did its work, last time.
'Tis not every Welshman who would stop to examine it before striking,
and few who could read the inscription, if they did so; while 'tis like
that most of them are well acquainted with Glendower's signet."
"That is so; but nevertheless, Roger, it will be better, when we have
once crossed the border, that you should ride behind me with a white
flag displayed; as a token that we come, not for war, but on a peaceful
mission. 'Tis probable, at any rate, that any band of Welshmen who may
meet us will, in that case, before attacking, stop to inquire on what
errand we come.
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