Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/242

214 our work. Does the castle hold out, and will it abide the Count's attack? Shame on him—I would I were the leader of a hundred belted knights, and the siege would be raised before to-morrow eve!"

In reply Amabel told enough of the happenings to give a true idea of the progress of the fight, and then explained her mission. She begged that he would give her shelter for the night, and would then help her on her way. The farmer roused his wife, and after promising her his aid in the morning, saw that she was attended to by the women of the farm, and made comfortable. They were all glad to serve her, for Amabel was a favorite with them, and soon she was sleeping as securely as if in her own apartment at home. Her walk, and, still more her excitement had worn her out, and she did not awake until sunrise, when the unaccustomed noises of the farm roused her from visions of hand-to-hand conflicts with the Count's soldiers—who in her dreams appeared four times their natural size, and were ferocious giants, such as were sung about by the minstrels and troubadours.

She arose and put on the costume she had worn from the castle, and going into the kitchen, begged that she might assist in the housework. The good-wife was shocked at the proposal, but the