Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/127

Rh was effective in delaying the besiegers' work, and thus was well worth all it cost the garrison.

By nightfall the causeway across the moat was completed, and a cheer from the besiegers showed that they were able to push their cat against the wall of the castle, just below the drawbridge. Then there came a long silence while preparations to demolish the walls were being made. Many of those besiegers who had worked in the cat, were now withdrawn to make room for less wearied laborers, and the Count gave orders to prepare a battering-ram. It was already dark, however, and since Luke had taken care that there should be few idle hands in the Count's camp, this piece of work was postponed until the next day.

Meanwhile, the garrison, seeing that the cat now rested against the castle wall, raised the great piece of timber that had been attached to the chain, and, making as little noise as they could, finally hoisted it to the top of the wall. The sentinels below heard the noise and gave the alarm; but it was too late. The great beam was pushed over the edge, and hung at the end of the chain, just above the roof of the cat, like a gigantic pendulum, or the weight of a pile-driver. At once orders were given to let go the windlass on which the chain was wound, and the enormous beam shot