Tudor Jenks

“ That afternoon the Friar, who seemed about fifty-five years old, walked down to the village and returned with a large bag full of various odd contrivances which he installed about his little cell. With him was a farmer's lad bearing a large chest, curiously bound with iron, and with a strong lock. ”

“ I am a man of some learning, and I have some skill in arts that are unknown to common folk. If you will not grudge me a bit of bread and place to bestow a thin old man used to discomfort, I shall study to repay you. ”

“ Suddenly a trumpet sounded, a flight of arrows followed, and then the Count's forces advanced. They came on steadily, slowly at first, and then quickening into a run. No sooner were they within range, than the arrows and bolts of the garrison began to find victims here and there, while much less damage was done by the volleys of the besiegers.
Hugh ordered his men in the palisade to withhold their arrows until the ranks of the attacking party had advanced on each side far enough to be within range from the sides of the palisade. ”

“ Why, Luke, you would spend the morning putting together your mangonels, rams, and other big machines, and meanwhile I could take the castle, and have every inmate thrown out to you over the battlements!"
"At least let us send a flight of arrows against them," Luke suggested. "We may wing one or two, and dash their courage a little. I learned in the Holy Land not to leave an enemy on the flanks of an attacking party, if I learned little else there."
"No, Luke, no," answered the Count. "You may be right when the forces are more nearly equal ”

“ Hugh replied, "and also because the men do not lay aside their weapons. See—those men at the rear are bringing forward scaling-ladders, and beams with which they hope to cross the moat. They have no great skill to guide them, I am thinking, or they would know that they should first destroy the palisade so that they would not be galled by a flank-fire. ”

“ By the direction of Edgar, prompted by Hugh, the approach to the main gate was defended by a strong palisade of tree trunks set upright in deep pits. It was not expected that this defense would last long against a vigorous attack, but Hugh explained, when Edgar made this objection, that it would cause delay in reaching the main defenses, would shelter a few archers for some hours, and that before these men were dislodged the enemy would be sure to have suffered some loss.
"Every hour we gain," Hugh explained, "is worth much. The saving of the castle may result from an extra half-day." ”

“ Edgar objected.
"Stronger places than these Norman keeps have been taken before now," Hugh answered. "It is an old soldier's maxim to hope for the best and make ready for the worst. So, if you will, we will put up the palisade."
Another addition to the castle defenses was the wooden hoardings. Timbers were thrust through the walls, holes having been left for the purpose, and upon these timbers projecting huts were made of heavy logs. These could be entered from the battlements, and enabled the defenders to obtain a better outlook and a wider range for their weapons. ”

“ Many of them lay down on the ground under the trees, wherever they could find a dry spot; many more went toward the village and began to plunder the houses. There was no one in the village, since the peasants had all gone away the night before, as soon as they had reason to be sure of an attack. ”