He was, however, on bad terms with the Bairds, partly because his wife was a sister of Forster's, partly because of frays that had arisen between his herdsmen and those of the Bairds, for his cattle wandered far and wide on the mountain slopes to the south, and sometimes passed the ill-defined line, beyond which the Bairds regarded the country as their own.

Jedburgh was but ten miles away, Hawick but six or seven, and any stay after the sun rose would speedily have brought strong bodies of men from these towns, as well as from his still nearer neighbours, at Chester, Abbotrule, and Hobkirk.
Oswald's approach was seen, and two of his cousins--Allan, who was a lad of about the same age, and Janet, a year younger--ran out from the house to meet him.
"We have been expecting you for the last ten days," the former exclaimed, "and had well nigh given you up." "I hold you to be a laggard," the girl added, "and unless you can duly excuse yourself, shall have naught to say to you." "My excuse is a good one, Janet.

My father made a foray, a fortnight since, into the Bairds' country, to rescue some of the cattle they had driven off from our neighbours, some days before.

There was a sharp fight, and Allan Baird was killed; and since then we have been expecting a return visit from them, and have been sleeping with our arms beside us.

Doubtless they will come someday, but as it is evident they don't mean to come at present, my father let me leave." "In that case we must forgive you," the girl said.