Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/228

200 tower. For, as its burning timbers fell and plunged through the floors, an opening into the mine below must have admitted some flaming brands to the props, which caught fire, burned away, and felt the stonework without support. The whole tower toppled, cracked, and then fell with a shock that shook the castle to its lowest foundations.

Hugh knew that the western wall was also mined just beyond the northwest tower, and he now proposed to the Friar that it be blown up, so as to leave standing only the triangular portion formed by the two remaining walls and the intrenchment that joined them. The Friar, however, reminded Hugh of the panic caused among their enemies by the first mine, and advised that the other be kept in reserve for an effective moment. Hugh could not deny that there was good sense in the suggestion, and it was agreed to wait until the attack should be renewed. But the rest of that night passed without the return of the besiegers. They had withdrawn entirely from the neighborhood of the castle, and it was with great diffculty [sic] that the Count and his faithful Luke could keep them from abandoning the siege altogether. Luke went among them arguing, entreating, and making promises to keep them up to their task. He was met by the statement that "they