Tudor Jenks

“ While the Count and Luke and their men stood thus at bay, hoping to retain the advantage they had secured, until a stronger force of besiegers could come to their assistance, and while the garrison faced them, ready to make another attempt to drive them out of the keep, both parties keeping close behind their shields to avoid the occasional arrows that came from the bowmen of one side or the other, suddenly there was heard from the upper landing the voice of Friar Bacon in a sepulchral tone, saying: "Put out the lights, put out the lights, that I may invoke the powers of darkness!" ”

“ The Friar smiled sadly, as he answered, "Those same tricks have already cost me dear in my life, and I shall have yet more reason to regret them before I die. To know more than the rest of the world is in some eyes an unforgivable sin. ”

“ Edgar, in the room with the Friar, told him the story of Amabel's journey, and also of the force that was encamped across the river ready to come to their relief, and it was agreed that in the morning Hugh should go with one or two trusty followers, and with Edgar to consult with the Earl of Huntingdon upon the raising of the siege. "So long as you are in command," Edgar concluded, "I shall have no fear of the Count. You seem to keep in your magic cupboard a trick for every need." ”

“ In all the land who dares withstand
The Boar of Sable Hue."
Steadily, not very fast, they rode out, and then spread right and left into a battle-line. The movement was executed with so much precision that Luke the Lurdane, sitting his horse at the Count's side, turned pale and murmured, "This is the end!" He saw that they had to deal with veteran soldiers under perfect control, and he dreaded the result. There were not many moments for fear or for preparation. The Earl's horsemen came on, gradually increasing their speed, until they were within forty or fifty yards. ”

“ In gleaming steel from head to heel,
And our plumes all afloat in their glee.
Our lances are long,
Our good blades strong.
Our keen shafts cleave the blue——
In all the land
Who dares withstand
The Boar of Sable Hue? ”

“ The young knight rode back along the column, giving the Earl's orders to the officers, and then returned. The road was masked by the woods just before coming to the plateau upon which stood the castle. And when they neared the opening of the woods, Edgar dashed forward. Riding just beyond the head of the road he saw the Mortimer standard still floating from the top of the keep, and then, glancing toward the left, he could see that the Count had drawn up all his force just at the edge of the woods. He returned and reported to the earl, whose face lighted up. ”

“ The besiegers had seized the torches from sconces in the hall, and the light of these showed Hugh that the men posted at the door of the hall shared in the panic of the rest. Speaking in a low voice, he said: "Come!—let us make a sally!" He dashed forward, sword in hand, followed by Edgar and the young knight. Falling upon the sentinels, they drove them from the doorway, and then attacked the disorderly mass of men who had retreated from the stair. ”

“ They mean that you shall not return. What say you, Lord Edgar, shall we not try conclusions with these fellows ourselves? With my son and yourself, stout Hugh of Cambray, and the men of the garrison you brought with you, we ought to clear the way. There is no need to bring our main body into action. Come, forward!" and the Earl set spurs to his charger, followed only by those whom he had invited.
When they were in sight of the bridge they saw a small body, led by Luke the Lurdane, drawn up on the other side to dispute their passage. ”

“ A Sudden Alarm—Lady Mortimer's Quick Wit—The Besiegers within the Keep—Their Repulse at the Stairway—A Fight in the Hallway—Luke's Escape and Treachery—The Castle's Greatest Peril—Out with the Lights—An Awful Vision—The Castle Saved—A Sortie—Hugh's Marksmanship—The Earl's Camp—The Song of the Earl's Company—The Riding to Raise the Siege—A Fight at the Bridge— The Earl Leads the Attack— The Bridge Taken—The Battlefield Is Reached—The Wave of Horsemen—The Rout of the Besiegers—The Fate of the Count and of Luke the Lurdane—Thanksgiving of the Garrison. ”