Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/311

Rh caught upon the shields, others slew a number of the besiegers. When the column had reached the gap in the wall, they were too near for effective shooting, and they succeeded in laying a rude bridge across from the end of the rampart to the door of the keep. Across this bridge the Count went first, but hardly had he reached the door and began to cut at it with his battle-ax, than he was joined by Luke, who had followed the column, and running nimbly across the rampart, reached the Count's side, crying as he came up: "Let us see who will be foremost to-day, my lord Count!"

In this Luke was wise as well as bold, for being in the very doorway they were protected somewhat by the arch over their heads from the objects thrown from above. The next rank or two of their followers occupied the most perilous place, and a number of them were struck down. Suddenly, just as a caldron of boiling oil was emptied upon the heads of these men, and they drew back a few paces to escape it, being warned by the cries of their comrades, the door opened in front of the Count and Luke, and they found themselves face to face with Edgar and his followers. These sprang forward as the door swung back, and fiercely assailed the two leaders of the besiegers. The Count retreated, whereupon Luke, shouting, "Onward, Count Ferrers!" charged furiously for-