nch
that they passed through the sentries unobserved, and reached in
safety the gate from which they had issued. As they neared it they were
challenged from the walls, and a shout of joy was heard when Walter
replied that the countess herself was present. The gates were opened
and the party entered. The news of their return rapidly ran through the
town, and the inhabitants, hastily attiring themselves, ran into the
streets, filled with joy. Much depression had been felt during her
absence, and few had entertained hopes that she would be able to
re-enter the town. She had brought with her from Auray two hundred men,
in addition to the party that had sallied out.

CHAPTER IX: THE SIEGE OF HENNEBON

The besiegers of Hennebon were greatly discouraged at the success of the
enterprise of the countess. They had already attempted several desperate
assaults, but had each time been repulsed with very heavy loss. They
now sent to Rennes for twelve of the immense machines used in battering
walls, which had been left behind there on a false report of the
weakness of Hennebon. Pending the arrival of these, Charles of Blois,
with one division of the army, marched away to attack Auray, leaving Don
Louis to carry on the siege with a force considered amply sufficient to
compel its surrender after the arrival of the battering machines.

In a few days these arrived and were speedily set to work, and immense
masses of stone were hurled at the walls.

Walter continued to act as the countess's especial squire. She had
informed Sir William Caddoudal and Sir John Powis that it was at his
suggestion that she had made the sudden attack upon the French camp, and
he had gained great credit thereby.

The effect of the new machines was speedily visible. The walls crumbled
under the tremendous blows, and although the archers harassed by their
arrows the men working them, the French speedily erected screens which
sheltered them from their fire. The spirits of the defenders began to
sink rapidly, as they saw that in a very short time great breaches would
be made in the walls, and that all the horrors and disasters of a city
taken by assault awaited them. The Bishop of Quimper who was within the
walls, entered into secret negotiations with his nephew, Henry de Leon,
who had gone over to the enemy after the surrender of Nantes, and was
now with the besieging army. The besiegers, delighted to find an ally
within the walls who might save them fro