Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/212

184 however, still retained all the towers, and thus could command the open courts and also the unprotected ramparts. If they did not keep up their attack upon the besiegers, it was because they did not care to invite a renewal of the struggle, Hugh's foresight in constructing the diagonal wall across the courtyard was now rewarded, since this fortification enabled the garrison still to command the approaches to the towers. The castle was now converted, so far as its defenders were in possession, into a triangle, at the apex of which stood the great keep, rising high above the other towers. Although the besiegers were now inside the walls, and could bring their men close up against the towers, yet this was a disadvantage as well as an advantage. While they could bring their engines to bear to break down the walls, they themselves would be more easily attacked by the garrison when they tried to carry each of the remaining strongholds. From above, great stones, heavy beams, hot pitch, or boiling water could be showered upon them, and from the openings in the walls of the towers would come flights of arrows, bolts, and quarrels, discharged by invisible enemies, safely protected against return volleys.

Possibly, if the Count had not been injured, the assault would have been vigorously pressed; but, as has been said, Luke was more fond of cautious