Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/251

 THE KEEP. 227 formed. Exterior to the wall, throughout the circumfer- ence, was a space varying from 3 feet on the east to 10 feet on the west. Returning to the passage between the first and second walls, 26 feet further eastward, was a flight of steps in the thickness of the second wall. These led to the wide parapeted summit of that wall, along which four men might walk abreast. Westward of the top exit from the VIEW OF KEEP, BY S. HOOPER, JULY 30, 1787. steps is a carefully- constructed stone channel, 8 inches square, passing down through the wall to the little chamber already mentioned within it. This channel was probably used both for oral communication with the constable or guard, and for drainage. After continuing 28 feet further along the top of the second wall there was a descending flight of steps, leading directly to the main external entrance to the Keep. This approach was guarded by a heavily-barred door, and outside it hung a portcullis, which Q 2