ant fighting, they had succeeded in
keeping them from taking the house at least. The garden they could not
retain; but Warrenton, having established himself at one of the upper
windows, had so shrewdly flown his arrows, that Ford himself had been
wounded and one of his men killed outright.

Night had fallen upon them in this way, and the dame thought that it
would be a good scheme for one of her maids to now endeavor to slip out
and arouse the village to their help. One of the women therefore essayed
the journey; but was so clumsy as to attract the enemy's attention. She
was seized and made to confess how the house was protected and where it
was most likely to fall before a sharp assault. Being a witless wench,
she told them truly, and Master Ford then bade her help them collect
sticks and leaves in order that they might be able to fire the place as
a last resource.

Those within had thought that the girl had managed to evade danger, and
cheerfully waited for help from the village.

A determined attack was commenced at daybreak; and Ford and his men
succeeded in gaining possession of the kitchens without loss. Another of
the servants was captured, also a second maid-servant was injured by an
arrow, so seriously as to die within twenty minutes.

Warrenton kept the stairs and barricaded the inner door from the
kitchens by putting tables and chairs against it. At length a parley was
called, and Ford shouted his conditions through the keyhole. The
besieged then learned that the distant village was still unaware of
their peril. Ford offered to let them all go forth free, if now they
would yield up the house to him.

Mistress Fitzooth had a mind to accept, but Warrenton counselled no.
After a long argument Ford swore that he would burn the house over their
heads if they did not surrender it within an hour; and, going back to
the garden, he began to bring in the loose dry pieces of wood and sticks
he and his men had collected in the night.

At three hours after noon, Ford, having given one more warning to them,
had bidden his fellows do the worst. In a few moments the smell of
burning filled the house; and Mistress Fitzooth became as one
distraught.

"We had two women left to us," Warrenton continued, "and a lad, who was
worth as much as a man to me. I bade them open the door softly, and rush
forth whilst the wretches were employed at their fiendish work in the
rear. This we did, and so gained, unperceived, the little