Tudor Jenks

“ When the column had reached the gap in the wall, they were too near for effective shooting, and they succeeded in laying a rude bridge across from the end of the rampart to the door of the keep. Across this bridge the Count went first, but hardly had he reached the door and began to cut at it with his battle-ax, than he was joined by Luke, who had followed the column, and running nimbly across the rampart, reached the Count's side, crying as he came up: "Let us see who will be foremost to-day, my lord Count!" ”

“ The Count retreated, whereupon Luke, shouting, "Onward, Count Ferrers!" charged furiously forward, striking right and left with his battle-ax. Edgar warded a blow with the blade of his sword, which broke under the heavy ax, and then, dropping his broken sword, ran in upon Luke, seized him by the neck before he could again raise the ax, and hurled him to the ground. Then before Luke could rise, one of the men-at-arms caught a hooked battle-ax in the fallen man's coat of mail and dragged him inward. The door was then shut in the besiegers' faces, and securely barred. ”

“ Then seeing Edgar's real fright and dismay, the Friar said seriously, "My friend, be of good cheer. This is no idle folly, or thoughtlessness. You must know that I am a student of nature's mysteries, but that I use my knowledge, such as it is, only for the best objects. You have been kind and hospitable to a poor old man, and in return I shall do all I can to assist you in holding your father's castle until he returns. They have not scrupled to use deceit against us ”

“ Edgar replied. "I wonder that the Count has not put a guard at the back of the castle, either in boats or on the other shore."
"It does not surprise me." remarked the Friar, "for I have suspected all along that he would be only too glad if the garrison should escape, leaving him to take possession of the castle. I think it is for that reason he has not guarded it. As to relief coming, the Count does not expect a relieving force. He knows that there are few motives that would lead a nobleman to risk a battle for a friend. Besides he is willing to take the chance." ”

“ Edgar and Hugh, I come with Henry of Huntingdon, the son of the Earl. His father is upon the further shore with his forces. But come, let us go into the castle, where I can tell you something of my story. How goes on the siege?"
"We hold only the keep," Hugh answered, "but it is uninjured, and yet defies the Count. Luke the Lurdane is captured, and we can give a good account of all members of the garrison who remain. The Count has captured some of them—about thirty. ”

“ The Friar's own room—being but a small apartment—was set aside for Edgar and himself alone, though few of the rooms had less than four or five occupants, and some had more. The top of the keep, being protected by heavy battlemented walls, gave the garrison room for air and exercise, though there was some danger to them at times when the bowmen of the besiegers would fire a volley upward, hoping to do some damage. ”

“ Edgar, with the stoutest of the men-at-arms, was posted behind the door and at the loopholes on each side. Above were a few men ready to drop stones or to pour boiling oil upon the heads of the besiegers when they were actually in the doorway.
Since every man knew his station beforehand, it took but a few minutes to place every member of the garrison, including the women who now served as sentries on the other side of the keep, ready to bring instant word of a second attack. ”

“ Even the sewing and mending of the men's clothing and the washing of soiled garments or the serving at table sometimes gave employment to the maidens, wives, and widows, who were assisted by the older boys and girls. Now that all were forced to withdraw into the narrow quarters of the keep, every space was filled to overflowing, and strict discipline was necessary in order that the non-combatants might not interfere with the work of the defenders. ”

“ They worked hard all day, and if there was any time to spare from their household duties, they made themselves useful in carying sheaves of arrows or even baskets of stones for the mangonels, or in seeing that the sentries or the men on duty in various portions of the building were provided with food and drink. ”