Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/339

309 have fled—which were wise for them, but disappointing for us." Then once more waving his sword above his head, he turned and halted the column.

"The foe awaits us. We shall charge upon them as soon as the line is deployed. Ride slowly, and then put spurs to horse when within striking distance. I cannot promise you a strong resistance, as I fear they will vanish into the woods at the first shock. But we must put an end to this force arrayed against the castle, wherefore strike while you can. These are freebooters and knaves, not honest soldiers. Now, gentlemen, forward!"

Out from the wood road came the long column, and again, on reaching the plain they started the chorus they had sung upon the road:

Steadily, not very fast, they rode out, and then spread right and left into a battle-line. The movement was executed with so much precision that Luke the Lurdane, sitting his horse at the Count's