d'Oiley. The
Conqueror divided the possessions of the Saxons freely among those who
came over with him, and this man had Oxford Castle given to him. He
rebuilt it in 1071, keeping, perhaps, some of the old fabric. In the
year 1141, the Empress Maud, who had escaped from Devizes on a funeral
bier, covered up as if dead, reached Oxford, and there she was again
besieged. It seemed likely the castle would be taken, and she would be
seized by her enemies, but we are told that she managed to escape again.
Accompanied by three knights, she got out of Oxford to a place of
safety.

At some date in the reign of Henry III., Oxford Castle had its walls
strengthened, and the round tower was rebuilt. It was then, probably,
that the towers were made along the embattled walls, and especially one
of those peculiar towers called a barbican, contrived so as to give an
outlook on approaching foes. These barbicans had a device by which hot
water or stones could be flung down upon any enemy who succeeded in
passing the bridge. King Charles I. was often a visitor to Oxford
Castle, and after the wars between Parliament and King were over, some
other changes were made in the defences of the castle. After the
Revolution, it was allowed to decay gradually.

THE GIANT OF THE TREASURE CAVES.

(_Continued from page 223._)

As soon as tea was over, they started for the Treasure Caves, Estelle
dancing along in front of the tall sailor, eager for the mysteries she
was about to see in those gloomy-looking caves she had so often passed
on her way to the boat. But Jack told her those she had seen were mere
shallow affairs, not worth looking at. The Treasure Caves were at some
little distance beyond the cliff which jutted out into the sea, but they
could reach them at low water through an archway made by the waves in
the rocks.

The cliffs near their home were not too steep to be covered by short
grass, dotted with sea-pinks and stocks, with a shrub, here and there,
of sea-holly. A solitary pine-tree now and again, and the little cluster
at the end of the path, proved that this part of the bay was far above
high-water mark. But the headland reached a greater height, and rose
from the sea. Estelle found, on passing through the archway, that the
coast-line beyond swept round in a grand curve, and the yellow sands
stretched for miles.

The village was on the other side of the little bay. Where she now stood
there was no sign of any habitation.