ped in at the
gate. "I found that although Robin is fast, some of those horsemen had
the turn of speed of me, and that it was impossible that I could get
through; so deeming that I should do more service by coming to strike
a blow here than by having my throat cut out in the fields, I made the
best of my way back."

"Quite right, Martin!" Walter said. "I should have been grieved had you
thrown your life away needlessly. I saw from the first that your escape
was cut off. And now, men, each to his place; but first pile up the
stones against the gate, and then let each man take a good meal, for it
is like enough to be long before we get a chance of doing so again."

Again ascending to the walls Walter saw that the first body of
men-at-arms he had perceived was followed at a distance by a strong
force of footmen having with them some large wagons.

"I fear," he said to Ralph, "that they have brought machines with them
from Amiens, and in that case they will not be long in effecting a
breach, for doubtless they know that the walls are but weak. We shall
have to fight stoutly, for it may be days before the news of our leaguer
reaches the camp. However, I trust that the prince will, by tomorrow
night, when he finds that two days have elapsed without the coming of
my usual messenger, suspect that we are besieged and will sally forth to
our assistance. And now let us to breakfast, for we shall need all our
strength today, and you may be sure that French will lose no time in
attacking, seeing that assistance may shortly arrive from Calais."

There were but few preparations to be made. Each man had had his post
assigned to him on the walls in case of an attack, and piles of stones
had been collected in readiness to cast down upon the heads of those
attempting an assault. Cauldrons were carried up to the walls and filled
with water, and great fires were lighted under them. In half an hour
the French infantry had reached the spot, but another two hours elapsed
before any hostile movement was made, the leaders of the assailants
giving their men that time to rest after their long march. Then a stir
was visible among them, and they were seen to form in four columns, each
about a thousand strong, which advanced simultaneously against opposite
sides of the castle. As soon as their intentions were manifest Walter
divided his little force, and these, gathering in four groups upon
the walls, prepared to resist the assault. To four of his