s it defended, that it appeared as if it would
effectually hold out to the end of the day.

Time after time Frank returned to the assault, and as often he and his
troops were tumbled over into the ditch. This, also, was Ernest's fate;
indeed he at last gave up all hopes of taking the castle in the way
proposed. Telling the rest of his followers to continue pelting away
with all their might, he called Ellis to his councils. Ellis at once
advised an attempt to undermine the walls. He had run his head into a
soft place, and he thought he might get through. The idea was a bright
one. Ernest immediately went round and got some men from Frank and
Buttar, to assist by the warmth of their snowballing to cover their
proceedings, and then he and Ellis set to work to bore their way
through. The other two commanders were all the time to keep up a series
of incessant assaults, which might fully occupy the attention of the
enemy. No one within the walls suspected what was taking place. They
went on firing away with their snowballs as furiously as ever. No one
seemed wearied. There was something very inspiriting in the work. It
was far pleasanter than real fighting, because all the combatants might
hope to live to fight again, for whichever side fortune might declare
itself.

Lemon seemed to think, at last, that things were growing rather tame, so
he seized his horn and began "too-tooing" away with all his might. It
was answered more loudly than before by the horns of the besiegers,
followed by a hotter shower of snowballs than ever sent by them into the
castle. While Lemon and his followers were busily engaged replying to
it, they found their legs seized by Ernest and Ellis, and several other
boys, while Frank, mounting on the backs of some of his troops, leaped
over the parapet on the opposite side. Lemon was so astonished that he
knew not what order to issue. Buttar--a messenger being sent to summon
him--came round with some followers to the same side, and forced his way
with them through the hole. An attempt was made to throw the daring
besiegers over the walls; but they kicked and shoved against them so
furiously that a large breach was effected, up which the rest of the
assailants poured; while Ernest and Ellis, overcoming all opposition,
forced their way up to the standard, and seizing the flag-staff, hauled
it down at the moment that one side of the castle fell with a tremendous
crash, leaving it utterly defe