按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
〃I fear；〃 he said to Ralph； 〃that they have brought machines with them from Amiens； and in that case they will not be long in effecting a breach； for doubtless they know that the walls are but weak。 We shall have to fight stoutly； for it may be days before the news of our leaguer reaches the camp。 However； I trust that the prince will； by tomorrow night； when he finds that two days have elapsed without the coming of my usual messenger； suspect that we are besieged and will sally forth to our assistance。 And now let us to breakfast； for we shall need all our strength today； and you may be sure that French will lose no time in attacking； seeing that assistance may shortly arrive from Calais。〃
There were but few preparations to be made。 Each man had had his post assigned to him on the walls in case of an attack； and piles of stones had been collected in readiness to cast down upon the heads of those attempting an assault。 Cauldrons were carried up to the walls and filled with water； and great fires were lighted under them。 In half an hour the French infantry had reached the spot； but another two hours elapsed before any hostile movement was made； the leaders of the assailants giving their men that time to rest after their long march。 Then a stir was visible among them； and they were seen to form in four columns； each about a thousand strong； which advanced simultaneously against opposite sides of the castle。 As soon as their intentions were manifest Walter divided his little force； and these； gathering in four groups upon the walls； prepared to resist the assault。 To four of his most trusty men…at…arms he assigned the command of these parties； he himself and Ralph being thus left free to give their aid where it was most needed。
The assailants were well provided with scaling…ladders； and advanced with a number of crossbow…men in front； who speedily opened a hot fire on the walls。 Walter ordered his archers to bide their time； and not to fire a shot till certain that every shaft would tell。 They accordingly waited until the French arrived within fifty yards of the wall； when the arrows began to rain among them with deadly effect； scarce one but struck its mark … the face of an enemy。 Even the closed vizors of the knights and chief men…at…arms did not avail to protect their wearers； the shafts pierced between the bars or penetrated the slits left open for sight； and many fell slain by the first volley。 But their numbers were far too great to allow the columns being checked by the fire of so small a number of archers； the front ranks； indeed； pressed forward more eagerly than before； being anxious to reach the foot of the wall； where they would be in comparative shelter from the arrows。
The archers disturbed themselves in no way at the reaching of the wall by the heads of the columns； but continued to shoot fast and true into the mass behind them； and as these were； for the most part； less completely armed than their leaders； numbers fell under the fire of the sixty English bowmen。 It was the turn of the men…at…arms now。 Immediately the assailants poured into the dry moat and sought to raise their ladders the men…at…arms hurled down the masses of stones piled in readiness； while some poured buckets of boiling water over them。 In spite of the loss they were suffering the French raised their ladders； and； covering their heads with their shields； the leaders strove to gain the walls。 As they did so； some of the archers took post in the flanking towers； and as with uplifted arms the assailants climbed the ladders； the archers smote them above the joints of their armour beneath the arm…pits； while the men…at…arms with pike and battle…axe hewed down those who reached the top of the ladders。 Walter and Ralph hastened from point to point encouraging the men and joining in the defence where the pressure was hottest； and at last； after two hours of vain effort and suffering great loss； the assailants drew off and the garrison had breathing time。
〃Well done； my men！〃 Walter said； cheeringly； 〃they have had a lesson which they will remember； and if so be that they have brought with them no machines we may hold out against them for any time。〃
It was soon manifest； however； that along with the scaling…ladders the enemy had brought one of their war…machines。 Men were seen dragging massive beams of timber towards the walls； and one of the wagons was drawn forward and upset on its side at a distance of sixty yards from the wall； not； however； without those who drew it suffering much from the arrows of the bowmen。 Behind the shelter thus formed the French began to put together the machine； whose beams soon raised themselves high above the wagon。
In the meantime groups of men dragged great stones laid upon a sort of hand sledge to the machine； and late in the afternoon it began to cast its missiles against the wall。 Against these Walter could do little。 He had no sacks； which； filled with earth； he might have lowered to cover the part of the walls assailed； and beyond annoying those working the machines by flights of arrows shot high in the air； so as to descend point downwards among them； he could do nothing。
The wall crumbled rapidly beneath the blows of the great stones； and Walter saw that by the following morning a breach would be effected。 When night fell he called his men together and asked if any would volunteer to carry news through the enemy to the prince。 The enterprise seemed well…nigh hopeless； for the French； as if foreseeing that such an attempt might be made； had encamped in a complete circle round the castle； as was manifest by the position of their fires。 Several men stepped forward； and Walter chose three light and active men … archers … to attempt the enterprise。 These stripped off their steel caps and breastpieces； so that they might move more quickly； and when the French fires burned low and all was quiet save the creak of the machine and the dull heavy blows of the stones against the wall； the three men were lowered by ropes at different points； and started on their enterprise。 A quarter of an hour later the garrison heard shouts and cries； and knew that a vigilant watch had been set by the French； and that one； if not all； of their friends had fallen into their hands。 All night long the machine continued to play。
An hour before daylight； when he deemed that the enemy's vigilance would be relaxed； Walter caused himself with Ralph and twelve of his men…at…arms to be lowered by ropes from the wall。 Each rope had a loop at the bottom in which one foot was placed； and knots were tied in order to give a better grasp for the hands。 They were lowered at a short distance from the spot at which the machine was at work； all were armed with axes； and they made their way unperceived until within a few yards of the wagon。 Then there was a cry of alarm； and in a moment they rushed forward among the enemy。 The men working the machine were instantly cut down； and Walter and his party fell upon the machine； cutting the ropes and smashing the wheels and pulleys and hewing away at the timber itself。 In a minute or two； however； they were attacked by the enemy； the officer in command having bade a hundred men lie down t