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." "He is a strange man, Sir Henry, and subject, I fancy, to changeable moods.

When I was brought before him he was in a happy one, over the success he had gained; and it may be that he took a liking for me.

At any rate, he fixed my ransom at a very small sum." "Which I will, of course, pay," Hotspur said, "since you were my squire, and were at Ludlow on my service." "I thank you much, Sir Henry, but 'tis so small a sum that I myself discharged it, without difficulty." "'Tis strange, most strange, that you should have gone into the lion's den, and have come out unscathed.

Strange, indeed, that Glendower, who, as we know, is greatly in want of money, should have fixed your ransom at a low sum.

How much was it, Sir Oswald ?" "I will tell you the story, Sir Henry, though I would tell no one else; for my freedom is due to something that happened, nigh two years ago, when I was first with Sir Edmund Mortimer.