Part 27 (1/2)

Oswald, who was thoroughly fatigued with the events of the last thirty-six hours, slept soundly, on an armful of rushes that his host threw down in a corner of the room for him. At eight o'clock, the man who had spoken to him on the previous evening came in.

”I have spoken to William Baird,” he said. ”I told him that you seemed a likely fellow. He called down the monk, and asked him several questions about you; and he told me, at last, that I could bring you up to see him. So come along, at once.”

”Thanks, comrade,” Oswald said, as he slung his long two-handed sword from his shoulder.

”A likely-looking young fellow, indeed,” Baird said to Rotherglen, whom he had sent for to be present; ”over six feet and, I should fancy, has not attained his full width.

”So you would fain take service with me?” he said.

”I want a master,” Oswald replied, ”and from what I hear, I am more likely to see fighting, under you, than under any other on the border.”

”And you were with George Dunbar?”

”I was,” Oswald replied. ”But indeed, the service was not altogether to my taste, for we were always pent up in Dunbar; and, save in a street broil, there was no need to draw a sword. I was glad enough to leave his service, though in truth, I have fared but badly, since.”

”Now do you question him, Rotherglen.”

A number of questions were put to Oswald, concerning the names of the streets, the direction, the name of the princ.i.p.al inns, and the approaches to the castle. All these were satisfactorily replied to.

”He knows Dunbar, there is no question about that.

”And you can use your arms?”

”I think so.”

”We will have a trial,” Baird said. ”A man is no use to me, who cannot use his weapon. Send Robert here.”

In a minute, one of the young Bairds entered. He was a man of about twenty-five, tall and sinewy, and was accounted the best swordsman of his family.

”Cousin Robert,” William Baird said, ”this young fellow would enter our service; but before I take him, I must see that he knows his business.

Do you take a turn with the sword with him.

”No, no, not a two-handed sword; I don't want him to be slain. Take a couple of swords from the wall. Give him another steel cap, and full body armour. That of his own would not keep out a good, downright stroke.”

By the time that Oswald was armed, a number of the Bairds and their friends had a.s.sembled in the hall, hearing of what was going to take place.

”A fine young fellow, truly,” Rotherglen said. ”In height and width, he matches Robert well, though of course your cousin must be the more powerful, seeing that he is some four or five years older than this young fellow; who, when he reaches his age, bids fair to be well-nigh as strong a man as that monk.”

Roger had just entered, with the priest.

”Well, monk,” Baird said, ”we are going to try the mettle of your companion of yesterday.”

”I answer not for his mettle,” Roger said; ”but if he fights as well as he talks, he will not do discredit to himself.”

As they took their places, facing each other, the lookers on, men well qualified to judge of strength and sinew, murmured to each other that it would be difficult to find a better-matched pair. They were about the same height, both stood lightly on their feet, and their figures seemed full of life and activity. Both were smiling, Robert Baird with a smile of confidence, and of a.s.surance in his skill; while Oswald's face expressed only good temper and, as the others took it, a belief that he would, at any rate, be able to make such a defence as would a.s.sure his being taken into the Bairds' service.

The first rally, indeed, proved more than this. Robert Baird had at once taken the offensive, and showered his blows heavily down, while springing backwards and forwards with wonderful quickness and activity; but Oswald's blade ever met his, and he did not give way an inch, even when Baird most fiercely attacked him. Then suddenly he adopted the same tactics as his opponent, and pressed him so hotly that he was, several times, obliged to give ground. Oswald could twice have got in a heavy blow, but he abstained from doing so. He could see that his antagonist was a favourite among his kinsmen, and felt that, were he to discomfit him, he would excite a feeling of hostility against himself.

Both, panting from their exertions, drew a step backwards and lowered their swords.

”Enough!” William Baird said, ”The matter need be pushed no further.