Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/254

226 ning his way by skill of fence, risking as little as possible, taking shrewd advantage of every opening and going around rather than through his enemies. He gained ground as quickly as did the Count, but with less fighting, and the men-at-arms followed them stoutly. Though outnumbered, the garrison retired in good order and with discipline, keeping together and managing to protect their flanks. In fact, so sturdy was their resistance that the besiegers rested content with gaining the intrenchment; the Count and a few of his bravest men being the only ones who pressed the attack. Seeing themselves unsupported by the mass of the soldiers, these gave up the pursuit, retiring to the intrenchment, while the defenders were received into the keep, the door of which was barricaded behind them.

The intrenchment now became a defense for the besiegers who established themselves behind it in the dry ditch, after having pulled down enough of the palisades to prevent the garrison from again holding it against them.

The Count was dissatisfied with his men, and was with difficulty restrained by Luke from berating them soundly. The truth is, they had been discouraged by the stout resistance offered to every step of the advance; and particularly by the explosion under their very feet that had warned