opinion, since
you, being but a woman, if a high-born one, would not listen to me if I
did, but will doubtless follow that heart of yours of which you speak to
whatever end is appointed. Settle the matter with your betrothed Joshua
as you will. But we also have a matter to settle with Joshua, who is a
toad with a long tongue that if he seems slow yet never misses his fly.
We took up your cause, and have killed a great number of his people, as
he has killed some of ours. This he will not forget. Therefore it seems
to me that it will be wise that we should make what we can of the nest
that we have built, since it is better to die in battle than on the
gallows. For this reason, then, since we can stay here no longer, for
my part I am willing to go out and fight for you this night, although
Joshua's people being so many and ours so few, I shall think myself
fortunate if I live to see another sun."

This hard and reasoned speech seemed to appeal to the dissentients, with
the result that they withdrew their opposition, and it was agreed that
we should attempt to break our way through the besieging army about one
hour before the dawn, when they would be heavily asleep and most liable
to panic.

Yet, as it chanced, that sortie was destined never to take place, which
perhaps was fortunate for us, since I am convinced that it would have
ended in failure. It is true that we might have forced our way through
Joshua's army, but afterwards those of us who remained alive would have
been surrounded, starved out, and, when our strength and ammunition were
exhausted taken prisoners or cut down.

However that may be, events shaped a different course for us, perhaps
because the Abati got wind of our intention and had no stomach for
a pitched battle with desperate men. As it happened, this night from
sunset on to moonrise was one of a darkness so remarkable that it was
impossible to see anything even a foot away, also a wind blowing from
the east made sounds very inaudible. Only a few of our men were on
guard, since it was necessary that they should be rested till it was
time for them to prepare for their great effort. Also, we had little
fear of any direct attack.

About eight o'clock, however, my son Roderick, one of the watch
stationed in the gateway towers, who was gifted with very quick ears,
reported that he thought he heard people moving on the farther side of
the massive wooden doors beyond the moat. Accordingly some of us went