Part Two, Chapter I Summary

Richard Crawford paid a visit to Wat Buccleuch to see if he could enlist his help in securing the border. Richard had heard that Wat was sick and thought he was faking illness to avoid involvement in the strife. Buccleuch's home was just twelve miles from the Scottish border with England. Richard was correct in his assumption- Buccleuch feared direct attack from the English if he cooperated with his native Scotland, and he also feared the Scottish government if he failed to fight against the English. Additionally, since hearing of his son Will's dealings with Francis Crawford, Wat knew that if he took up arms against the English he might inadvertently hurt his own son. No one knew which side Francis was aligned with. Even if his son had seemed to pair up with the enemy, or...