e other end to a projection in the
barbican, he whirled the weighted one around his head, then suddenly
let it fly. Like a bird it soared over the moat, and crossing back of
the right lift-chain swung far down near the water. With a wide
grappling hook he caught it above the ball, and drawing it in tied the
two ends together, forming a great loop around the chain where it was
fastened to the bridge.

Hitherto there had been no opposition from the castle; but now there
was a change.

As Dauvrey whirled another weighted rope behind the left draw-chain, an
arrow whistled from the wall and rapped him hard upon the hauberk near
the gorget, piercing the outer mail, but being stayed by the inner
shirt of Italian steel. The next instant the shafts came thick and
furious, marking De Bury and De Lacy and the squire at every joint and
seam of their harness, but without effect.

"By St. Denis, I fancy not those bolts," exclaimed De Lacy, as a
quarrel from an arbalest glanced along his helmet near the eye hole.
"It came from the left gate tower, methought."

"From the far window," said De Bury.

"Fetch me a bow," De Lacy ordered Royk.

Drawing off his right gauntlet he notched the shaft and waited.
Presently a head rose cautiously in the window and the cross-bow was
laid upon the ledge. Instantly De Lacy's fingers touched his cheek,
the string twanged sweetly, and the arrow flashed across and deep into
the brain of the arbalestier.

The cry he gave as death gripped him was answered by the splash of his
weapon as it sank into the waters of the moat.

"Bravo! my lord!" Raynor exclaimed. "You are a sight for old eyes."

"It was a lucky shot," the Knight replied, handing back the stave.

Meanwhile Dauvrey, minding the arrows rained upon him no more than so
many feathers, had caught the last rope, and so both lift-chains were
encircled by a running loop. In a trice a flagon was fastened to a
strand of each and drawn quickly over until it rested close against the
bridge. All this time the ropes were kept swinging irregularly to
prevent them being cut by arrows from the walls; though the defenders
had ignored them entirely, thinking, doubtless, they were to be used
for crossing and being quite content; for then their assailants' armor
must come off and they be easy marks.

But when the bags went over they scented danger, and the darts began to
hiss about the ropes. And the gate was flung back and the bridge
lowered a