Both Sides the Border | Page 3

the dispossessed
families, while their followers found wives among the native
population.
The frequent wars with the Scots, in which every man capable of
bearing arms in the Northern Counties had to take part; and the
incessant border warfare, maintained a most martial spirit among the
population, who considered retaliation for injuries received to be a
natural and lawful act. This was, to some extent, heightened by the fact
that the terms of many of the truces specifically permitted those who
had suffered losses on either side to pursue their plunderers across the
border. These raids were not accompanied by bloodshed, except when
resistance was made; for between the people, descended as they were
from a common stock, there was no active animosity, and at ordinary
times there was free and friendly intercourse between them.
There were, however, many exceptions to the rule that unresisting
persons were not injured. Between many families on opposite sides of
the border there existed blood feuds, arising from the fact that members
of one or the other had been killed in forays; and in these cases bitter
and bloody reprisals were made, on either side. The very border line

was ill defined, and people on one side frequently settled on the other,
as is shown by the fact that several of the treaties contained provisions
that those who had so moved might change their nationality, and be
accounted as Scotch or Englishmen, as the case might be.
Between the Forsters and the Bairds such a feud had existed for three
generations. It had begun in a raid by the latter. The Forster of that time
had repulsed the attack, and had with his own hand killed one of the
Bairds. Six months later he was surprised and killed on his own
hearthstone, at a time when his son and most of his retainers were away
on a raid. From that time the animosity between the two families had
been unceasing, and several lives had been lost on both sides. The
Bairds with a large party had, three months before, carried fire and
sword through the district bordering on the main road, as far as Elsdon
on the east, and Alwinton on the north. News of their coming had,
however, preceded them. The villagers of Yardhope had just time to
take refuge at Forster's hold, and had repulsed the determined attacks
made upon it; until Sir Robert Umfraville brought a strong party to
their assistance, and drove the Bairds back towards the frontier.
The present raid, from which the party was returning, had been
organized partly to recoup those who took part in it for the loss of their
cattle on that occasion, and partly to take vengeance upon the Bairds.
As was the custom on both sides of the border, these expeditions were
generally composed of members of half a dozen families, with their
followers; the one who was, at once, most energetic and best
acquainted with the intricacies of the country, and the paths across fells
and moors, being chosen as leader.
Presently, Oswald Forster saw one of the party wave his hand; and at
his order four or five of the horsemen rode out, and began to drive the
scattered cattle and horses towards the house. Oswald at once ran
down.
"Father is all right, Mother. He has just given orders to the men, and
they are driving all the animals in, so I suppose that the Bairds must be
in pursuit. I had better tell the men to get on their armour."

Without waiting for an answer, he told six men, who were eating their
breakfast at the farther end of the room, to make an end of their meal,
and get on their steel caps and breast and back pieces, and take their
places in the turret over the gate into the yard. In a few minutes the
animals began to pour in, first those of the homestead, then the
captured herd, weary and exhausted with their long and hurried journey;
then came the master, with his followers.
Mary Forster and her son stood at the top of the steps, ready to greet
him. The gate into the yard was on the opposite side to that of the
doorway of the fortalice, in order that assailants who had carried it
should have to pass round under the fire of the archers in the turrets,
before they could attack the building itself.
She gave a little cry as her husband came up. His left arm was in a sling,
his helmet was cleft through, and a bandage showed beneath it.
"Do not be afraid, wife," he said cheerily. "We have had hotter work
than we expected; but, so far as I am concerned, there is no great harm
done. I am sorry to