corn could come in by sea. And
the Normans, since the Castle was too strait for all already, lay
encamped in a fair camp by the waterside by St. Sampson's Bay, till
their leader should ordain the order of attack.

Now all was changed in Vale and hill country, for the Moors that so long
had roamed at will, setting their watches and their sentinels on every
headland and navigable inlet, and claiming to be of right the liege
lords of all from Blanchelande to Torteval, from Torteval to Vale, were
now shut up in their great chateau, and their fleets lying in Grand
Havre and Moulin Huet Bay. No longer able to be besiegers, they had
become besieged, and indeed, if they knew all, were already in extreme
case. We saw none of their vile faces in lane or forest-path. The narrow
street of St. Pierre Port was cleared of the swaggerers, with their
clanking metal and heady brawls; while our Normans lay by St. Sampson's
shrine waiting the order to attack, they sat quiet and sullen in their
hold.

And in this sullen calm there was much to fear.

CHAPTER XIX.

How we set forth to attack _Le Chateau du Grand Sarrasin_. Of the
_Normans_' valour, and of the flight of our foes.

Now, for the next two days Samson had under review our islanders, and
the brethren, who in martial accoutrements, and restored moreover
already by good store of food, would fain take part in the great matter
of executing Heaven's vengeance on Le Grand Sarrasin and his troop.
These were bound together in a second regiment auxiliary to the
men-at-arms, and set by Samson of his deep wisdom under Hugo's leading.

Now, all this time the Sarrasin sat still awaiting our assault, like a
sick lion in his cave, and the only sign of life up at his castle was
the green flag on the pole that fluttered in the wind.

And on the third day all was in preparation for the attack. And Samson
had it in mind that he and his Normans would bear the brunt of the
assault, and have our contingent in reserve to fight on the level when
entrance had been made. Now he determined not to attack the Castle on
the side towards Vale, but from the south, where the height was not
great, and there was good cover of brushwood to hide our strength, and
to protect from arrows and balls. We, in a close body, were to lie quiet
to the east within a run, and we were told to await his signal to enter
in the breach to do our share, or, if need were, to swoop on the pirate
swarms unexpectedly, if th