Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/125

Rh at his belt, and rose, coming several paces toward them.

"The besiegers are hard at work," he said as he approached. "I saw them with the first light this morning."

"Yes," Edgar replied; "and Hugh thinks they are cutting material to build a siege-tower from which to make an attack upon the ramparts. We came to see whether there was anything we could do to make ready for it."

"I am sure," said the Friar, "that so old a soldier as Hugh of Cambray has already told you all that I can advise. If I were indeed the magician many think me, I might find another way to circumvent them than those known to the captains skilled in war. But unless you can interfere with the work by means of hurling rocks upon it, or can fire the timbers when it comes nearer, I fear the attack will be delivered and will have to be repulsed upon the walls. I can give only one piece of counsel."

"We shall be glad to hear it." said Edgar eagerly.

"You have noticed." said the Friar, "that when a stone is discharged into the air, the enemy often runs at the sound of the discharge, or even takes cover sometimes before the lever is released, knowing that the engine is ready as soon as he can