The tenants of Mortimer, with aid from the earl and Hotspur, have raised the sum that Glendower demanded as ransom; and now the king has laid on them his order, that this money is not to be paid." "By our Lady," Roger exclaimed wrathfully, "this is too much! Sir Edmund is a noble gentleman, and that the king should refuse to allow his friends to ransom him passes all bounds." "So the earl and Hotspur consider," Oswald said, "and, ere long, you will see that they will hoist the banner of the young Earl of March, and proclaim him King of England." "'Tis good," Roger exclaimed, slapping his hand on his leg.

"To me it matters nought who is King of England, but I always held that it was hard that King Richard should be deposed, and murdered, by one who was not even his lawful successor.

I am not one to question the conduct of my lord, but I always thought that the Percys were wrong in bringing this usurper over." "They feel that themselves, Roger, and consider the ingratitude of the king to be a punishment upon them, for having aided him to the throne." "But what has this to do with your journey, master ?" "It has much to do with it, Roger, seeing that I am on my way to Glendower, to offer him alliance with the Percys." "A good step!" Roger exclaimed.

"We know that these Welsh can fight." "Moreover, Roger, it may bring about the freeing of Mortimer; for the evil feeling the king has shown against him will surely drive him to raise all his vassals, and those of the young earl, in Herefordshire and elsewhere; and thus the Percys will gain two powerful allies, Glendower and Mortimer; and as they advance from the north, the Welsh and Mortimer will join them from the west.

When victory is gained, there will be peace on the Welsh marches.