Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/103

Rh top thickly with earth. So long as the besiegers kept within their intrenchment, they were comparatively safe, but there was no covering between them and their own lines. In crossing this space they were exposed to the archers and crossbow-men, as well as to the arrows from the catapults. So, in order to keep up a safe communication with his own forces, the Count was compelled to begin the making of a covered way. This he did by constructing what is called a "cat," that is, a long, movable gallery or shed, open at the end furthest from the enemy, and roofed with heavy timbers, that meet above in a sharp angle, making a steep roof. This roof was covered with raw hides or with clods, so that it would not readily take fire. As the shed had no floor, men could dig inside, making a ditch or trench. Then the cat was pushed forward on wheels or rollers, and the ditch was carried further.

Under this cat, the Count had as many men at work as could find room within its walls, and by the end of the day they had completed their trench or covered way.

The besiegers were not allowed to carry on their work entirely without interference. The mangonels on the castle walls showered stones upon the cat's back, and did some damage; but it was not enough to interrupt the work.