n of dividing his forces had prevented the besieged from
making a sortie. He now ordered a general escalade. Scaling ladders
were not to be used, but the backs of the combatants were to serve for
the purpose. No sooner was the order given than, rushing up together,
with masses of snow they filled up the ditch; and then one sprang on the
back of the other, and others mounted above them; then Ernest, seeing a
good ladder formed, climbed up it to the top, though he was nearly
knocked over by the shower of snowballs which assailed him; the top of
the castle, also, was so slippery that he had the greatest difficulty in
getting hold of it, and his position was anything but pleasant.
Meantime, Tom Bouldon, one of the besieged, who was burning to
distinguish himself, seeing all the rest of the party engaged, telling
Lemon that he had a dodge, and to look out for him, slipped over the
parapet amid a shower of snow, so that he was unseen, and then, climbing
up the side of the ditch, scampered off to get hold of one of the
standards of the enemy, the sentinel left to guard it having deserted
his post that he might join in the attack. He seized it, and was
hurrying back, scarcely restraining a shout of triumph, when Ernest saw
him.

"Tom, you traitor, let go that!" he sung out; but as he was mounted on
the backs of four other boys, and fighting away at the top of the wall,
he could not enforce his commands.

Tom, hearing him, scuttled away to the other side, where Buttar was
endeavouring to effect a breach. Two boys made chase after him, but he
got up to the wall before them, and throwing the flag into it, he sprang
up on the backs of some of the besiegers, who did not find out in time
that he did not belong to their party; and Lemon being on the watch for
him, lent him a helping hand, and got him safe into the castle. Then he
seized the flag he had brought so gallantly off, and went round the
castle walls, waving it in the faces of the besiegers, and crowing as
lustily as any young cock. Frank, when he discovered what had been
done, felt like a general who has unwarily allowed his camp to be
attacked; and now, seeing that the other two standards were unprotected,
sent back a guard to each.

It may appear strange that Bouldon should have so easily got into the
castle; but in his case he had a friend to help him, while in the case
of the besiegers everybody was opposed to them. So strong was the
castle, and so manfully wa