nd for a distance of some twenty feet
back so as to give a postern gate behind each of the corner towers
through which a sortie might be made. Geoffrey and Walter talked
the matter over, and together contrived a plan of operation for the
following day.

"You will have one great advantage," Geoffrey said. "The apprentices are
all accustomed to the use of the bow, while the young nobles will
know but little of that weapon; therefore your shooting will be far
straighter and truer, and even a blunt-headed arrow drawn from the
shoulder will hit so smart a blow that those on the wall will have
difficulty in withstanding them."

After the talk was ended Walter again crossed London Bridge, and made
his way to Ludgate, where he found his late antagonist, whose head had
been plastered up, and was little the worse for the conflict.

"There is no ill-will between us, I hope," Walter said, holding out his
hand.

"None in the world," the young smith said frankly. He was a
good-tempered-looking young giant, with closely-cropped hair, light-blue
eyes, and a pleasant but somewhat heavy face.

"My faith but what a blow was that you gave me; why, one would think
that your muscles were made of steel. I thought that I could hit a good
downright blow, seeing that I have been hammering at the anvil for
the last seven years; but strike as I would I could not beat down your
guard, while mine went down, as if it had been a feather, before yours.
I knew, directly that I had struck the first blow, and felt how firm was
your defence, that it was all up with me, knowing that in point of skill
I had no chance whatever with you.

"I am glad to see that you bear no malice, Ralph," Walter said, "and
hope that we shall be great friends henceforth, that is, if you will
take me as such, seeing that you are just out of your apprenticeship,
while I am not yet half through mine. But I have come to talk to you
about tomorrow. Have you heard that there is to be a mimic siege?"

"I have heard about it," Ralph said. "The city is talking of nothing
else. The news was published at the end of the sports. It will be rare
fun, surely."

"It will be pretty rough fun," Walter replied; "and I should not be much
surprised if some lives are lost; but this is always so in a tournament;
and if knights and nobles are ready to be killed, we apprentices need
not fear to hazard our lives. But now as to tomorrow. I, as the winner
today, am to be the leader of the party,