III
A Palisade Is Built—The Franciscan Friar— Union against Disunion— A Message from the Count—The Answer— The Besiegers Arrive—The Palisade Garrisoned — An Attack by Storm— The Advance of the Besiegers—Luke's Narrow Escape—The Attack Repulsed.
CHAPTER III
Count Ferrers also realized that his attempt to capture the young lord of the Castle of the Red Lion was the same as a declaration of war. He sent out emissaries in all directions to gather his forces, and succeeded in hiring several large bands of freebooters—soldiers to whom fighting was a trade, to be carried on for the benefit of any master who could offer them either payment or a fair chance of booty. The country folk who traveled by the Count's castle reported that there were many camps in the fields roundabout and that he had collected a little army of certainly more than five hundred men. The bad character of these soldiers was soon proved by the flight from their homes of all the people within a radius of several miles, and this proved fortunate for the Mortimers since some fugitives came to the country nearer to the Red Lion Castle, and drove before them their sheep, cattle, and other domestic animals, many of which were were bought from the frightened peasants and added to the resources of the castle, being pastured upon the plateau near the gates, and some few within the courtyard itself. At the first alarm, they could all be made secure within the stable-sheds erected for them inside the walls.
By the direction of Edgar, prompted by Hugh, the approach to the main gate was defended by a strong palisade of tree trunks set upright in deep pits. It was not expected that this defense would last long against a vigorous attack, but Hugh explained, when Edgar made this objection, that it would cause delay in reaching the main defenses, would shelter a few archers for some hours, and that before these men were dislodged the enemy would be sure to have suffered some loss.
"Every hour we gain," Hugh explained, "is worth much. The saving of the castle may result from an extra half-day."
"But the castle is too strong to be taken," Edgar objected.
"Stronger places than these Norman keeps have been taken before now," Hugh answered. "It is an old soldier's maxim to hope for the best and make ready for the worst. So, if you will, we will put up the palisade."
Another addition to the castle defenses was the wooden hoardings. Timbers were thrust through the walls, holes having been left for the purpose, and upon these timbers projecting huts were made of heavy logs. These could be entered from the battlements, and enabled the defenders to obtain a better outlook and a wider range for their weapons. If these were destroyed, the battlements still remained behind, as strong as ever.
The butchers of the town were now invited to take up their residence in the castle, and they were busy from morning to night slaughtering cattle, skinning them, preserving the meat, and stowing it away. The younger villagers were trained in the use of pikes, and those who could shoot were enrolled as bowmen. Jackets of boiled leather or quilted woolen were provided for as many as possible, since the garrison of the castle was inferior to its needs and these men must serve as soldiers.
One morning it was announced to Edgar that a Franciscan friar was at the gate asking admission. Edgar ordered that he be brought in, and was at once struck with the man's intelligent expression and dignified bearing. To Edgar's inquiry what he wanted, the Friar said that he was an old scholar, who was in sore need, and begged an asylum in the castle. Edgar smiled at the old man's request, and pointing to the joiners who were at work upon the defenses of the stronghold, answered:
"It will be, perhaps, a simpler matter to take you in than for you to let yourself out when you choose. I should not be surprised to see the van of an attacking force appear at the edge of the woods even while we are yet talking. We have reason to expect a siege. When it may begin and, still more, when it may end, is impossible to foresee."
"And from whom do you fear an assault?" the Friar inquired, as he looked about him at the workmen.
"We do not fear it, but we expect it from the Count de Ferrers," Edgar replied. "He has already shown himself an enemy, and he has heretofore made a claim to this castle."
"I have seen him, and I asked him but yesterday for shelter," said the Friar, frowning as he spoke. "He bade me begone 'for a black rat fit for nothing but to gnaw grain that might keep a soldier.' Yet even a brother of St. Francis may be of use to a knight, did he but know it. I am a man of some learning, and I have some skill in arts that are unknown to common folk. If you will not grudge me a bit of bread and place to bestow a thin old man used to discomfort, I shall study to repay you. As to the siege, I can bear a hand at a lever or point a catapult in case of need."
"But a man of your cloth" Edgar began.
"A fico for my cloth!" answered the Friar. "I am a student, not a priest. A lover of books must hide under the cowl if he would be free of the helmet. Besides, the books are in the cloisters, and the scholar must be where his food grows, as birds follow the berries southward."
"Welcome, then, good Friar," said Edgar heartily. "A head can often do more in warfare than a lance or battle-ax." Seeing Hugh passing, Edgar called him, and handed over the Friar to the old soldier's keeping, asking as he did so: "What is your name, Franciscan?"
"Roger Bacon," was the answer, and then he followed Hugh, who saw him safely bestowed in a little turret-room that looked over the river. Friar Bacon's face brightened as he surveyed these quarters, meagerly though they were furnished. He seemed especially pleased that there was a fireplace in the corner, and a cupboard opposite. Hugh watched the Friar closely, but was evidently pleased with his behavior, for he called a page and sent the boy for some bread, meat, and wine.
That afternoon the Friar, who seemed about fifty-five years old, walked down to the village and returned with a large bag full of various odd contrivances which he installed about his little cell. With him was a farmer's lad bearing a large chest, curiously bound with iron, and with a strong lock. When Hugh saw these he smiled, and on his next meeting with the young lord of the castle said: "We have done bravely in giving a lodging to the Friar. I believe him either an astrologer or a seeker after the philosopher's stone, so he may serve us either as prophet or money-changer. Seriously, my lord, he is evidently a man of experience and of sound sense; and I am mistaken if we do not have reason to be glad of harboring him."
"I hope so," Edgar replied. "I liked the man's eye, but if he be a good Friar I fear it will be long before we shall see a second."
When the Lady Amabel met Friar Bacon she recalled what Edgar had told her of the strange objects in the Franciscan's cell, and after a few words asked him: "Friar Bacon, my good cousin tells me that you have in your cell means of studying the stars. Can you truly read our fortunes in them? Can you tell what will be the fate of this castle, should it be attacked by de Ferrers?"
"I make no claim to high rank in astrology, nor to read the stars, young lady," replied the Friar seriously. "I do but study them as a part of the works of the great Creator of all things,—that I may know, as far as a man may, the laws he has set upon them. And I make no claim to other prophecy than is within the power of every man who can read the chronicles and learn from them that as the past has been the future shall be. Should Count de Ferrers set up his engines against these walls—as in truth I believe he will do—I have faith he cannot prevail against them. So I would prophesy; and my reasons are many. Chief among them, however, is this: Within these walls loyalty and good will defend the right, while without, force, craft, and greed are allied to aid the wrong. It will be union against disunion, devotion against selfishness. And the right will prevail."
Amabel was impressed by the Friar's words, still more by his modesty; and thereafter she was the Franciscan's stanch friend. In return he taught her many things, for he was very learned, not only in languages, but in science and the arts. He proved to be also a man of much practical sense, suggesting to the workmen many means of lightening their labors. He talked freely with the chief inmates of the castle, but was rather reserved toward the common people, who were in awe of his learning. Indeed, he was by the serving-women declared to be a magician, and deeply skilled in the Black Art—a belief that was much strengthened by the curious apparatus in his cell, and the strange odors and unaccountable sounds that came from his workroom at all hours.
It was too busy a time for much speculation about the newcomer, for signs of the coming storm now multiplied, and all doubts that may have lingered in hopeful minds were ended at last by the arrival of a messenger from the Count de Ferrers.
A few days after the arrival of the Franciscan, a small troop of horsemen bearing the Ferrers banner, emerged from the wood opposite the main entrance of the Castle of the Red Lion, and rode slowly forward until they were perhaps a hundred paces from the outer palisade or barbican. Then a single horseman, Luke the Lurdane, rode still nearer, alone, and when challenged by the warder declared that he was the bearer of a written message from the Count de Ferrers to the young lord of Mortimer Castle. Edgar was informed of the message, and sent Hugh of Cambray to receive it.
When opened it read as follows:
"The Count de Ferrers, rightful feudatory of the keep now wrongfully withheld from him by Francis, Baron Mortimer, commands that the said keep, together with all that appertains to the lordship thereof be surrendered at once to him. Should the said Francis, Baron Mortimer, or any claiming through him refuse the summons, the said Count de Ferrers will possess himself of the castle and will inflict such punishment upon the refactory inmates as their contumacy deserves."
Friar Bacon laughed aloud upon reading this strange composition, saying that it read more like the writing of a starveling clerk than like a herald's summons; whereupon, Edgar gladly turned over the message to the Franciscan to write an answer. This the Friar did briefly enough:
"Edgar, son of Francis, Baron Mortimer, holds his father's castle by right, and will defend it against the wrongful claim of Guy, Count de Ferrers."
This reply being delivered to Luke the Lurdane (who received it in his left hand, the right being still, to Hugh's satisfaction, supported in a sling from his shoulder), that worthy retainer rode back to his little party, and all disappeared into the shade of the woods.
"How soon," Edgar inquired of Hugh, as the two walked away together, "must we expect the beginning of this attack?"
"To-morrow morning at dawn," Hugh replied. "The Count would never have sent the summons until he was ready to follow it; but his men will never begin by a night attack, since they must sleep off the effects of their cups after dinner. They will not be ready before sunrise—if they do come so early."
The night before the expected attack was an anxious one within the castle walls. Just at nightfall a heavy mist began to gather over the river, and when darkness came on this changed to a light rain. Through the night the rain increased, falling upon the roof with a thundering sound which kept many of the inmates awake. Toward morning, however, the rain ceased, and just before dawn it seemed that it was ominously still.
Edgar arose early, and was soon out upon the battlements, where he was told by a sentry that there had been no disturbance during the night. Edgar remained upon the walls awaiting the coming of the gray morning light, for he expected that with sunrise he would see the van of the Ferrers forces. And so it proved. The first rays of the rising sun had hardly touched more than the highest branches of the thick woods opposite the castle, when there appeared, at the opening of the road through the forest, a dark mass of men that poured forth upon the plateau like a swarm of ants coming out of an ant-hill, They did not approach very near to the castle itself, and were not apparently very well disciplined since they scattered in irregular groups, and did not seem to be aware what they should do first. Many of them lay down on the ground under the trees, wherever they could find a dry spot; many more went toward the village and began to plunder the houses. There was no one in the village, since the peasants had all gone away the night before, as soon as they had reason to be sure of an attack.
When it became lighter, it could be seen that these first-comers were archers, crossbowmen, and an irregular rabble armed with pikes, axes, and even with clubs. Then the tramp of horses was heard coming nearer and nearer, and soon there came out of the woods a number of horsemen,—the regular retainers of the Count de Ferrers,—and following these a troop of soldiers, men in mail and well-armed, though their equipments were dingy, showing long service. These were the men the Count had hired, promising them, besides their pay, a share of the plunder when the Red Lion Castle should surrender. After these came a wagon-train and packhorses, bearing stores and materials for the siege. The Count did not expect that he would have to withstand many attacks from the forces in the castle, and certainly expected no interference from without, and consequently had brought few provisions of any kind, since he was so near his own castle that he could keep up communication with it throughout the siege. In fact, the Count did not believe the siege would be long. His spies had seen something of the preparations made by Edgar, but they knew that the garrison was not very strong and had not been re-enforced. So, although the Count brought certain machines and supplies with him, he really hoped and expected to capture the castle by a vigorous assault.
When Hugh came upon the walls and stood by the young lord's side, he carefully surveyed the arangements of the Count's forces, and then remarked, as if relieved:
"Good! The Count thinks that he will be able to take this little place by storm! That will waste his time, and he will lose some men as well."
"How do you know?" Edgar asked. "Is it because he has begun no siege-works?"
"Yes," Hugh replied, "and also because the men do not lay aside their weapons. See—those men at the rear are bringing forward scaling-ladders, and beams with which they hope to cross the moat. They have no great skill to guide them, I am thinking, or they would know that they should first destroy the palisade so that they would not be galled by a flank-fire. My lord, shall we make ready to receive them?"
"By all means, Hugh," Edgar replied. "I am ready to be guided by you in the whole matter. In the arts of war, I am little more than a boy. What is my experience to yours?"
"Nothing—very likely," the veteran replied; "and yet the men of the castle will fight far better under your command than under mine. I am but one of themselves—though possibly a little wiser than some of them. For you and your lady mother they will fight to the end. So order the archers into the palisade, place the rest of the forces along the battlements, and let us give the worthy Count a welcome that will make him loth to come again!"
Edgar gave the orders Hugh advised, and they were at once carried out. Hugh crossed the drawbridge at the head of about forty of the best bowmen in their force, and these ranged themselves around the inside of the palisade—ready to shoot through the spaces between the tree-trunks. The palisades themselves made an excellent defense against the arrows and bolts of the enemy, and yet offered little obstruction to their own. Besides their bows, Hugh's men carried swords with which they could protect themselves at close quarters. The drawbridge was left down in case they should be forced or ordered to retreat.
Luke the Lurdane reported to the Count the fact that the archers had advanced into the palisade, and suggested that it would be well to set up one of the siege-engines in order to knock the palisade to pieces.
"There is no need," said the Count. "Let the rogues stay in their hen-coop. We shall be over the walls and in the castle before they can do us any harm worth the mention. Why, Luke, you would spend the morning putting together your mangonels, rams, and other big machines, and meanwhile I could take the castle, and have every inmate thrown out to you over the battlements!"
"At least let us send a flight of arrows against them," Luke suggested. "We may wing one or two, and dash their courage a little. I learned in the Holy Land not to leave an enemy on the flanks of an attacking party, if I learned little else there."
"No, Luke, no," answered the Count. "You may be right when the forces are more nearly equal; but here we are more than ten to one, and we may afford a few of these hired rascals. They don't mind being killed, Luke—it's their trade, man!"
Luke shrugged his shoulders and walked away to make ready for the attempt to storm the castle. It is true that the Castle of the Red Lion was not a great stronghold, but it had been carefully designed and was capable of being strongly held by a resolute garrison. Luke believed that the Count de Ferrers had greatly underestimated the strength and resources of the place, and was making a serious mistake in believing the defense was in the hands of young Edgar—a brave young fellow, but one without training in actual war. As Luke examined the palisade and the hoardings erected along the walls and on the towers, he could see that they were not the design or work of a novice. Still, having made his protest, there was nothing for him to do except to attempt the attack by storm, as the Count had ordered. As Luke studied the front of the castle, he decided that the wisest plan of attack was by an advance along the whole front, including the palisade thrown out in front of the drawbridge. By occupying the attention of the whole garrison at once, it was possible they might gain the top of the wall at some point, or, by throwing down a part of the palisade, could make an entry there and capture the drawbridge by a dash before it could be closed against them. He arranged his line of battle accordingly, just out of bowshot, in three ranks. The first rank carried fascines—great bundles of brush cut from the forest, and clods of earth with which to fill up the moat. The second rank carried axes, halberds, or poles with hooks on the ends, and the scaling-ladders for surmounting the walls. The third rank was made up of the crossbowmen and archers, and the men-at-arms in mail, carrying their swords and battle-axes.
Meanwhile the garrison were arranging to repel the attack. The bowmen inside their palisade stuck their swords and arrows in the ground before them where they could be seized in an instant, strung their bows, and stood ready near the palisade. The men in the castle, armed with swords, axes, and pikes were arranged along the battlements and within the wooden galleries that projected out over the moat. Caldrons of boiling pitch, or of quicklime, were brought, and piles of great bowlders and heavy timbers had been placed long before within reach. The garrison were ranged in groups of four and five, under the order of the most trustworthy and ablest soldiers, and there were also a number of archers and crossbow-men placed where they commanded the most important points. By Hugh's advice, Edgar with ten picked men stood within the great gate to repel any attack that might be delivered there; this was an important position, and yet one of comparative safety for the young lord, whose person must be protected.
The men of the garrison were ready before Luke had succeeded in drawing up the attacking forces, and they leaned upon their weapons awaiting the arrival of their foemen.
Suddenly a trumpet sounded, a flight of arrows followed, and then the Count's forces advanced. They came on steadily, slowly at first, and then quickening into a run. No sooner were they within range, than the arrows and bolts of the garrison began to find victims here and there, while much less damage was done by the volleys of the besiegers.
Hugh ordered his men in the palisade to withhold their arrows until the ranks of the attacking party had advanced on each side far enough to be within range from the sides of the palisade. Then these bowmen were ordered to shoot at will, and to make every arrow tell. Three or four of these archers had been especially charged to repel the attack on the front of the palisade, but even these few were enough to protect it, for their aim was so sure and their rate of fire so rapid that the charge divided as it came to that little stronghold of sharpshooters. Luke, it is true, tried bravely to carry out his plan of an attack against the palisade. With a few of his boldest men, he made his way close up to the timbers, and four or five of them at once tried to uproot the palisades. But Hugh and his men received this attack by hacking briskly with their swords at the fingers and arms of the most audacious workers, and a few wounds received in this way soon put an end to any relish the besiegers had for the task of uprooting the heavy palisades. They were glad to retreat and go around the palisade as the rest had done.
Luke had a narrow escape from capture, for having thrust his sword arm through an opening in the palisade, trying to reach an archer, Hugh caught the arm and by a vigorous pull brought it as far as the shoulder within the inclosure. But the opening was not wide enough to admit Luke's body, and in dodging back to escape a spear-thrust from without, Hugh was forced to release his hold, and Luke escaped, leaving a sleeve in Hugh's hand as a trophy.
After this, there was no serious attempt to take the palisade; and the archers twanged their bows without interference, sending arrows along the enemy's lines, with hardly one wasted. Nearly every arrow brought down one of the Count's men, and this side attack was not to be borne. Though the foremost men reached the moat and flung their fascines and clods into it. they were not followed with any spirit. Only a single ladder was raised against the wall, and this was unhooked and flung to the ground before any of the besiegers had mounted more than half-way upon it.