Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/282

254 guile with craft, he wrote a short scroll begging that they might have a few more hours to decide so momentous a question; and this was dispatched by a trusty messenger under a flag of truce.

Their request was for a delay until sunset, and was coupled with a promise to give an answer in positive terms by that time. To Edgar's delight this ruse was successful; the Count—or, rather, Luke for him—said that he fully understood how painful was their position, and that, although he had all the advantage and could really dictate his own terms, he could not bring himself to the point of preferring cruelty to mercy. He therefore hesitated to proceed to harsh measures, hoping that the castle would be surrendered at sunset without need of further bloodshed.

This respite was so much clear gain to the garrison, and they employed it in preparing for the attack sure to be delivered that night. By Hugh's direction, full liberty was given to the soldiers to devote the time to rest or recreation as they chose, for he knew that they would fight the better that night if they came to the struggle rested, well fed, and in good spirits.

But when the sun was close to the hills upon the horizon, the Friar submitted to Lord Edgar a note which he had prepared as a reply to the summons. This letter read as follows: