ode no good. Arms
were freely displayed among them, and Walter saw men passing to and fro
evidently giving instructions.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Master Artevelde," he said, returning to the
room where the council was being held, "but methinks that it would
wise to bar the doors and windows, and to put yourself in a posture
of defence, for a great crowd is gathering without, for the most part
armed, and as it seems to me with evil intentions."

A glance from the windows confirmed Walter's statements, and the doors
and windows were speedily barricaded. Before many minutes had elapsed
the tolling of bells in all parts of the town was heard, and down the
different streets leading towards the building large bodies of armed men
were seen making their way.

"I had rather have to do with a whole French army, Master Walter," Ralph
said, as he stood beside him at an upper window looking down upon the
crowd, "than with these citizens of Ghent. Look at those men with bloody
axes and stained clothes. Doubtless those are the skinners and butchers.
Didst ever see such a ferocious band of savages? Listen to their shouts.
Death to Van Artevelde! Down with the English alliance! I thought our
case was a bad one when the French poured over the walls into Vannes but
methinks it is a hundred times worse now.

"We got out of that scrape, Ralph, and I hope we shall get out of this,
but, as you say, the prospect is black enough. See, the butchers are
hammering at the door with their pole-axes. Let us go down and aid in
the defence."

"I am ready," Ralph said, "but I shall fight with a lighter heart if you
could fix upon some plan for us to adopt when the rabble break in. That
they will do so I regard as certain, seeing that the house is not
built for purposes of defence, but has numerous broad windows on the
ground-floor by which assuredly they will burst their way in.

"Wait a moment then, Ralph; let us run up to the top storey and see if
there be any means of escape along the roofs."

The house stood detached from the others, but on one side was separated
from that next to it only by a narrow lane, and as the upper stories
projected beyond those below, the windows were but six feet distant from
those on the opposite side of the way.

"See," Water said, "there is a casement in the room to our left there
which is open; let us see if it is tenanted."

Going into the next room they went to the window and opened it. It
exactly face