Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/228

 208 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 58. The supply of water was cut short after the first day's work. One precious well was choked with rubbish, another was commanded by the fire ; and the men were reduced to an allowance of a pint a day. A messenger from France attempted to enter, who had been sent to encourage the defenders to hold out ; but ' he was caught and hanged for his pains/ The bombardment continued for five days, and in that time three thousand balls were thrown into the Castle a feat till then un- approached in the practice of artillery. On the 27th a flag of truce was hung out, and Sir Robert Melville came down to ' parley.' He tried to create a jealousy by desiring to treat alone with the English, but Drury refused to take part in any conference from which the Regent was excluded. Melville then demanded security that the lives and properties of every one in the Castle should be safe. Lord Hume and Maitland required permission to reside in England, and Grange either to remain in Scotland or go abroad, as he pleased. The Countess of Argyle, the Earl's divorced wife, who had taken refuge with them, stipulated also that ' she might not be delivered into her husband's hands/ Morton at once declined to consent to any May 28. . _ J such terms. At dawn next morning a false attack was made at the back of the Castle, while two di- visions of Scots and English stormed and carried the Spur. The Scots were led by Crawford of Jordanhill, the hero of Dumbarton. The loss was heavy for the numbers en- gaged. Twenty English and Scots were killed at the Spur, and eight more on the precipices behind ; but the work