Tudor Jenks

“ If so, we must set up more of our engines of war, for I fear the tower. If they can once bring the tower close enough to our walls, they will be able to sweep the ramparts of defenders, perhaps, and then make an assault by means of lowering a bridge upon the walls. You have surely heard of that means of taking a fortified place?"
"Yes," Edgar replied, "my father has told me of it. But, Hugh, I find that while I remember to have heard of the different engines used against us, I unhappily forget the means used to defend against them. What can we do against a tower, in case they shall build it?" ”

“ Further back, at the very edge of the wood, more men were at work felling trees and chopping them—as was known by the sharp strokes of axes, and the occasional crash of a tree falling against the limbs of others, and then striking the ground. Hugh laughed quietly as he saw these signs of activity, and Edgar turned to him inquiringly, for the old soldier was usually rather serious. ”

“ At the same time, it would be worth while to set miners to work to undermine part of the wall, so as to open a breach into the outer court, and while these attacks occupy part of your force, I will take some of the stoutest men-at-arms, and attempt a side attack. You have men enough besides all these to build a tower from which your crossbow-men can sweep the battlements of their defenders. It will never do to leave your men idle. ”

“ There is no grumbler like your idle soldier, and some fine day you will awake to find your forces have tired of the work, and have marched quietly away during the night."
"If the scoundrels break faith with me, I will follow them all over England, if necessary, and hang them every mother's son!" ”

“ Within the castle walls the garrison were quite as busily employed. The men who were not needed upon the walls, were set to work under Hugh's direction in constructing a rampart across the courtyard. The general plan of the castle was square, and there was a tower at each corner. The largest and strongest was, of course, the donjon, or keep; and this stood at the northeast corner on the highest point of the precipice over the river. Hugh thought that the besiegers would in time be able to destroy the first or outer wall, and would then gain admittance to the outer court or bailey. ”

“ They descended from the tower to the ramparts, and then went down a flight of steps that led them into the court. Here they found the Friar bending over a bit of crystal into which he seemed to be gazing. When he saw them coming toward him, he slipped the crystal into a pouch he carried at his belt, and rose, coming several paces toward them.
"The besiegers are hard at work," he said as he approached. "I saw them with the first light this morning."
"Yes," Edgar replied; "and Hugh thinks they are cutting material to build a siege-tower from which to make an attack upon the ramparts. ”

“ Hugh explained, "to see all those rogues so hard at work—for all the world as if they were honest joiners. By my faith—I think it is long since many of their palms have touched any but weapons. But they work in earnest, and we shall have task enough to circumvent their ingenuity. ”

“ But with two men like yourselves it is not necessary for me to say that I am only a poor scholar, and no servant of the Evil One. Yet there is a certain black powder which I have learned to make that might well cause me to be considered a dealer in magic. ”

“ If the enemy avoids the first, you can discharge the second as soon as he returns to his work, or by firing the two at once, you make it impossible, or more difficult to watch the flight of both stones. All this may not add to the execution they do, but it will cause the men to be more afraid of the weapons, and will delay their work upon their own devices."
Hugh commended this suggestion, and Edgar gave orders to place two of the largest mangonels upon the ramparts at the point nearest to the enemy's workmen. ”

“ The hired soldiers had hoped that the castle would be taken in a few days, but time was passing without bringing the besiegers materially nearer to their object.
The Count consulted Luke the Lurdane, who strongly advised employing every available man in one way or another. "The garrison has not many men to spare, and by keeping them all busy we may find a weak point. By means of the cat, here before the gate, you can fill the moat, push on to the wall and attack it with a battering-ram. ”

“ Attacks the Wall—The Crane Prepared—The Intrenchment in the Courtyard—The Friar Talks of the "Black Art"—The Wonderful Powder—An Experiment by the Friar—Hugh Is Affrighted— Activity of the Besiegers—A Siege-Tower Begun—The Friar's Device—The "Cat" Is Almost Destroyed. ”