"
Starting early the next morning, Oswald crossed into Montgomeryshire,
by a road through Worktree Forest, so as to avoid both Ludlow and
Welshpool; and kept along by a country track, near the border of
Radnor, so passing south of Llanidloes. As soon as they had left
Radnorshire, Roger fastened to his spear a white cloth they had brought
from Shrewsbury; then they continued their journey west.
It was not until they had crossed the Wye, here an insignificant
stream, that they came upon a native of the country. They were
following a track, between two rough hills covered with brushwood, when
a man, evidently of the better class, stepped out before them.
"Sir Knight," he said in English, "'tis a strange sight to see an
Englishman, with one esquire, travelling alone by so wild and lonely a
road as this; and strange, indeed, that he should bear a flag of truce;
for were you here on your king's business, you would surely be attended
with a braver show. I had notice, two hours ago, brought by one who had
seen you cross the Wye; and in the bushes round lie fifty men who, did
I raise my hand, would let fly their arrows against you. But if you
have reason for your coming this way, assuredly we should not hinder
you.
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