Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/267

Rh Friar had placed three or four large boxes on wheels, and had packed these full of heavy stones. These were to be sent tumbling down to break up any column that might try to rush up the stairs. Whatever spare time was left after completing these defenses, was given to constructing catapults that would discharge large bolts upon threatened points.

At the stair-heads also were placed heavy mattresses, to serve as defense against the missiles of the attacking parties. While thus preparing the keep, the other towers were not neglected, being strongly garrisoned with watchful guards, who fired at the besiegers in the courtyard whenever any were exposed.

Outside, though the van of the besiegers were for the time contented with what they had gained, and remained quietly watching for a favorable time to advance further, there was a renewal of the artillery attack. The mangonels had been brought closer to the southwestern corner of the castle—the corner where the burnt tower had stood—and renewed their fire, sending heavy stones over the heads of their own party in the courtyard. These missiles were directed mainly against the keep, and they gradually demolished the battlements of its roof. But its walls were too thick to be much damaged, except at the corners.