Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/188

162 and leaning over the battlements looked along the cliff, to see whether there was anything stirring below. She had hardly begun her examination when she saw something moving far down in the pathway. She was not certain what it was, but concluded she would take no risks. So she ran as fast as she could go along the ramparts until she came to where the Friar was in command of his battery.

"Friar Bacon," she cried, "there is something moving on the pathway at the back of the castle—the path that leads up from the river. Can you come, or send some of your men there? I'm afraid"

The Friar at once dropped the great iron-tipped lever with which he had been moving the frame of the mangonel to adjust his aim, and in spite of his age went so rapidly along the ramparts that the young girl had much difficulty in keeping by his side. They passed through the tower, then along the eastward wall, through the keep, and thus reached the rear of the castle directly above the path.

One glance was enough for the keen eyes of the old Franciscan, since the men had climbed higher during Amabel's absence. The Friar turned to her saying, "My girl, your bright wits and sharp eyes have saved us all," and then stooping he