Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/246

218 sentries, who wound their horns as soon as the. line appeared at the edge of the woods. The defenders were drawn up along the remaining walls, the larger part of their force being ranged along the new rampart Hugh had constructed, against which the attack was sure to be delivered. For the defense of this intrenchment, Hugh relied mainly upon his archers and crossbowmen, of whom he had between thirty and forty, though some had been lost in the previous attacks. These men Hugh himself had trained carefully, and they were under strict discipline, making the volleys they delivered exceedingly effective. They seldom fired at will, but could loose their shafts all together at the word of command, either firing at a single mark or each at his own. It can be understood that thirty stout bowmen, all of whom were fair marksmen, when all sent their arrows against a single part of an advancing line could do great execution.

The Count's little army came steadily on, crossed the moat by means of the causeway, clambered through the breach in the outer wall, and then, sheltered behind the remains of the south wall, were re-formed and received their orders for the assault upon the intrenchment—which, besides being guarded by a deep ditch in front, was an earthwork strengthened with heavy timbers, and sur-