Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/113

Rh by the Count in person, Luke set a number of the artificers at work constructing two more mangonels, for which the forest furnished the wood- work, while the metal parts and the ropes had been brought from the Ferrers' castle. Luke also took care that work should be given to all the idle hands, planning a lofty tower of woodwork that could be advanced near the walls of the castle at a later period of the siege. For this purpose he had the timbers all cut and made ready for framing as soon as he should decide upon the best place for it. All these enterprises kept the Count's soldiers busy, and put an end to their grumbling, of which there had been plenty.

Within the castle walls the garrison were quite as busily employed. The men who were not needed upon the walls, were set to work under Hugh's direction in constructing a rampart across the courtyard. The general plan of the castle was square, and there was a tower at each corner. The largest and strongest was, of course, the donjon, or keep; and this stood at the northeast corner on the highest point of the precipice over the river. Hugh thought that the besiegers would in time be able to destroy the first or outer wall, and would then gain admittance to the outer court or bailey. Their next step would be to break into the main court or inner bailey; and for that reason