Did not I nearly lose you at Otterburn, and had you laid up on my hands, for well-nigh six months ?" "Ay, that was a sore day, for both sides." "Will you tell me about it, Uncle ?" Oswald asked.

"My father cares not much to talk of it; and though I know that he fought there, he has never told me the story of the battle." "We are just going to sit down to dinner, now," Adam Armstrong said, "and the story is a long one; but after we have done, I will tell you of it.

Your father need not feel so sore about it; for, since the days of the Bruce, you have had as many victories to count as we have." After dinner, however, Armstrong had to settle a dispute between two of his tenants, as to grazing rights; and it was not until evening that he told his story.
"In 1388 there were all sorts of troubles in England, and France naturally took advantage of them, and recommenced hostilities, and we prepared to share in the game.

Word was sent round privately, and every man was bidden to gather, in Jedburgh forest.

I tell you, lad, I went with a heavy heart, for although men of our name have the reputation of being as quarrelsome fellows as any that dwell on the border, I am an exception, and love peace and quiet; moreover, the children were but young, and I saw that the fight would be a heavy business, and I did not like leaving them, and their mother.