Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/265

Rh been sheltered behind the intrenchment, which protected them in front, while the walls of the cat protected one flank, and a close wall of palisades had been erected to guard them from the archers on the other. Thus they were in a three-sided fort, and entirely covered from the fire of the garrison, except from arrows or stones that might be shot upward, and these could do little execution, and few attempts to fire upon this attacking party were made.

Hugh now looked upon the keep as the only portion of the castle that was capable of standing long against a determined attack, and he had set all the men to work at strengthening its defenses in every part. The door that opened upon the courtyard was firmly braced with heavy timbers extending to the floor, and there resting against great spikes driven deep into the ground. On top of the keep were placed several enormous bags made of rawhide and stuffed with wool. These, by means of ropes fastened to them at two corners could be lowered over the battlements in order to prevent a battering-ram from acting effectively. This chief doorway to the keep was sunk into the wall, and above there were openings—called s—through which hot water, melted lead, or boiling oil could be thrown upon the heads of soldiers attacking the door.