Both Sides the Border | Page 4

say that we have lost Long Hal, and Rob Finch, and
Smedley. Two or three others are sorely wounded, and I fancy few
have got off altogether scatheless.
"All went well, until we stopped to wait for daybreak, three miles from
Allan Baird's place. Some shepherd must have got sight of us as we
halted, for we found him and his men up and ready. They had not had
time, however, to drive in the cattle; and seeing that we should like
enough have the Bairds swarming down upon us, before we could take
Allan's place, we contented ourselves with gathering the cattle and
driving them off. There were about two hundred of them.
"We went fast, but in two hours we saw the Bairds coming in pursuit;
and as it was clear that they would overtake us, hampered as we were
with the cattle, we stood and made defence. There was not much
difference in numbers, for the Bairds had not had time to gather in all
their strength. The fight was a stiff one. On our side Percy Hope was
killed, and John Liddel so sorely wounded that there is no hope of his
life. We had sixteen men killed outright, and few of us but are more or

less scarred. On their side Allan Baird was killed; and John was smitten
down, but how sorely wounded I cannot say for certain, for they put
him on a horse, and took him away at once. They left twenty behind
them on the ground dead; and the rest, finding that we were better men
than they, rode off again.
"William Baird himself had not come up. His hold was too far for the
news to have reached him, as we knew well enough; but doubtless he
came up, with his following, a few hours after we had beaten his
kinsmen. But we have ridden too fast for him to overtake us. We struck
off north as soon as we crossed the border, travelled all night by paths
by which they will find it difficult to follow or track us, especially as
we broke up into four parties, and each chose their own way.
"I have driven all our cattle in, in case they should make straight here,
after losing our track. Of course, there were many who fought against
us who know us all well; but even were it other than the Bairds we had
despoiled, they would hardly follow us so far across the border to fetch
their cattle.
"As for the Bairds, the most notorious of the Scottish raiders, for them
to claim the right of following would be beyond all bearing. Why, I
don't believe there was a head of cattle among the whole herd that had
not been born, and bred, on this side of the border. It is we who have
been fetching back stolen goods."
By this time, he and his men had entered the house, and those who had
gone through the fray scatheless were, assisted by the women,
removing the armour from their wounded comrades. Those who had
been forced to relinquish their spears were first attended to.
There was no thought of sending for a leech. Every man and woman
within fifty miles of the border was accustomed to the treatment of
wounds, and in every hold was a store of bandages, styptics, and
unguents ready for instant use. Most of the men were very sorely
wounded; and had they been of less hardy frame, and less inured to
hardships, could not have supported the long ride. John Forster, before
taking off his own armour, saw that their wounds were first attended to

by his wife and her women.
"I think they will all do," he said, "and that they will live to strike
another blow at the Bairds, yet.
"Now, Oswald, unbuckle my harness. Your mother will bandage up my
arm and head, and Elspeth shall bring up a full tankard from below, for
each of us. A draught of beer will do as much good as all the salves and
medicaments.
"Do you take the first drink, Jock Samlen, and then go up to the
watchtower. I see the men have been posted in the wall turrets. One of
them shall relieve you, shortly."
As soon as the wounds were dressed, bowls of porridge were served
round; then one of the men who had remained at home was posted at
the lookout; and, after the cattle had been seen to, all who had been on
the road stretched themselves on some rushes at one end of the room,
and were, in a few minutes, sound asleep.
"I wonder whether we shall ever have peace in the land, Oswald," his
mother said with a sigh; as, having seen that the women