He met no one on the road, until he reached the first hamlet on the English side.

Here he stopped to give his horse half an hour's rest, and a feed.

As he dismounted, two or three of the villagers came up.
"Have you heard aught, lad, of any gatherings on the other side of the border ?" "None from where I came; but there was a talk that notices had been sent, through the southern Scottish marches, for all to be in readiness to gather to the banner without delay, when the summons was received." "That is what we have heard," a man said.

"We have made everything in readiness to drive off our cattle to the fells; the beacons are all prepared for lighting, from Berwick down to Carlisle; and assuredly the Scotch will find little, near the border, to carry back with them.
"You are the son of stout John Forster of Yardhope Keep, are you not?
I saw you riding by his side, two months since, at Alwinton fair." "Yes, I was there with him." "He will have hot work, if a Scotch army marches into Tynedale.

The Bairds will be sure to muster strongly, and they won't forgive the last raid on them; and whichever way they go, you may be sure that your father's hold will receive a visit." "It was but a return raid," Oswald said.