noon
Two days later , Oswald started for his promised visit to the Armstrongs . It was not considered necessary that he should be accompanied by any of the troopers , for Hiniltie lay but a few miles across the frontier . In high spirits he galloped away and , riding through Yardhope , was soon at Alwinton ; and thence took the track through Kidland Lee , passed round the head of the Usmay brook , along the foot of Maiden Cross Hill , and crossed the frontier at Windy Guile . Here he stood on the crest of the Cheviots and , descending , passed along at the foot of Windburgh Hill ; and by noon entered the tiny hamlet of Hiniltie , above which , perched on one of the spurs of the hill , stood the Armstrongs ' hold . It was smaller than that of Yardhope , and had no surrounding wall ; but , like it , was built for defence against a sudden attack . Adam Armstrong was on good terms with his neighbours across the border . Although other members of his family were frequently engaged in forays , it was seldom , indeed , that he buckled on armour , and only when there was a general call to arms .