trifle, and up it two men worked their way toward the chains.
They were protected by the flooring from the fire of those at the
barbican, but Dauvrey, foreseeing just such a move, had stationed
archers on each side to meet it; and ere the two had reached the middle
of the span they were pierced by half a score of arrows and rolled back
into the gateway.

"Now!" cried De Lacy. "Up with them"--and seizing the rope nearest him
he gave it a quick twist that flung the bag upon the bridge and against
the chain; and Dauvrey did the same with the other.

At the command two archers had sprung forward with lifted bows and
barbs wrapped with burning tow and oil.

"Shoot!" Sir Aymer ordered; and straight into each bag a blazing arrow
sped.

Then came a sullen roar--a burst of silvery smoke--a rush of flying
bits of iron and splinters; and as those before the barbican leaped
back at the Knight's warning cry, the drawbridge crashed down upon the
causeway, its lift-chains torn clean away.

Instantly De Lacy dashed forward with waving axe; and beside him went
Sir John de Bury, and at his shoulder were Dauvrey and Old Raynor Royk.
And they were none too quick; for already those at the entrance were
trying to remove the planks that formed the flooring. But with a cry
of "Clare! Clare!" Aymer and the others were upon them and they fled
within the walls, swinging the gate shut just as the two Knights flung
themselves against it.

"Keep an eye upward lest they loose a turret and destroy the bridge,"
De Lacy shouted, and fell to work on the gate with his heavy axe, while
Dauvrey made haste to prevent the dropping of the portcullis by driving
a spike into the grooves in which it worked.

But the gate was made of heavy, seasoned oak, studded thick with iron
and bound deep around the edges with well-wrought steel. And though De
Lacy's blows thundered upon it until it swayed and rattled on its
massive hinges, yet it still stood staunch and firm. Presently he
paused, and Giles Dauvrey sprang forward to take his place. But he
stayed him.

"It is too strong to waste good time and strength upon," he said. "We
must use the powder again."

Twice the flagons spoke without material result; but the third tore the
gate from its fastenings, and even before the smoke had risen Sir Aymer
de Lacy and Sir John de Bury hurled it back upon its hinges and dashed
through--to be brought up short by two men in complete armor, who
attacked them fur