Tudor Jenks

“ The Count's little army came steadily on, crossed the moat by means of the causeway, clambered through the breach in the outer wall, and then, sheltered behind the remains of the south wall, were re-formed and received their orders for the assault upon the intrenchment—which, besides being guarded by a deep ditch in front, was an earthwork strengthened with heavy timbers, and surmounted by a thickly set palisade, behind which the archers and pikemen were sheltered. ”

“ By turning her head to the right she could see the great bulk of the castle black against the sky, and she saw also by a light column of smoke arising beyond its keep that the remains of the burnt tower still smoldered. Here and there a narrow strip of light showed through a loophole, and as she looked she heard the voice of a sentry announcing that all was quiet. Almost directly in front of her were the tiny points of light that revealed the embers of the camp-fires left by the Count's soldiers. ”

“ Then the farmer turned and gazed curiously at his visitor, who blushed and turned away in confusion.
"We have been so busy harvesting," the farmer went on, "that we knew nothing certain of the stories that came to us. Gaffer Mead of the Mill knew the siege was threatened, for his daughter and her husband left their cottage by the castle to come dwell with him. But we farm-folk are not fond of battlefields, and are glad to remain quiet so long as the soldiery will but leave us to our work. Does the castle hold out, and will it abide the Count's attack? ”

“ The work would not have long resisted stones flung from powerful machines, but offered a strong barrier against a storming-party. It was not so high as the castle walls, but since it was guarded at each end by the yet uncaptured towers, the enemy, in advancing against it, would receive a galling flank fire from the loopholes. All the strength of the position was evident to Luke at a glance, and he advised the Count once more against an open attack. ”

“ You are not one of us. The clothes are right enough, but your talk, your ways, hands, feet—everything would betray you to a keen eye. Besides, alone you might be robbed or murdered, beggar though you seem. ”

“ She arose and put on the costume she had worn from the castle, and going into the kitchen, begged that she might assist in the housework. The good-wife was shocked at the proposal, but the young girl insisted, giving as a reason that she must act the part she had assumed for fear lest some of the neighbors should report her presence in disguise. After the morning meal was finished, Amabel explained more fully the purpose of her expedition, and asked the farmer to advise her. ”

“ These men Hugh himself had trained carefully, and they were under strict discipline, making the volleys they delivered exceedingly effective. They seldom fired at will, but could loose their shafts all together at the word of command, either firing at a single mark or each at his own. It can be understood that thirty stout bowmen, all of whom were fair marksmen, when all sent their arrows against a single part of an advancing line could do great execution. ”

“ But the defenders were ready to take advantage of this opening, and they flung blazing faggots through, pushing them with long poles, and thus succeeded in filling the cat with smoke. In order to extinguish these blazing bundles, the soldiers were forced to stop the ram, and then the defenders shot bolts and arrows through the holes left by the destruction of their intrenchment. ”