Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11


shield their bodies From above ceaseless
shower of darts and of stones was poured
down upon them while on the other hand the
archers, seeing the greatness of the danger, ran
up to the edge of the ditch; and shot fast and
true at every face which showed above the wall.
SCorched wearied and bedraggled the
mains of the storming party clambered out OF
the ditch as best they could, clutching at the
friendly hands held down to them. and so
limped their way back amid the tauntS and
ing cinders was all that remained of their
bridge. and on it lay Ashley and SIX other
red-hot men glowing in their armor.
Knolles Clenched his hands as he looked back
at the ruin that wrought, and then sur
veyed the group of men who stood or lay
around him nursing their burned limbs and
sCowling up at the eXultant figures who waved
on the castle wall Badly scorched himself
the young leader had no thought for his own
injuries in the rage and grief which racked
his soul. I'VE will build another bridget" he
cried. Set the peasants binding faggots
once more!'
But thought had flashed through NigeI's
mind. See, fair sir, said he. " The nails OF yon-
der door are red-hot and the wood as white as
ashe'. Surelywe can break our way through it :"
By the Virgin, you speak truly cried the
French Squire. g II we can cross the ditch the
gate will not stop us. Come, Nigel, for our
far ladies' sakes, / will race you who Will
reach 1t first, England or FranCel'
Alas for all the wise words of the good
Chandosi Alas for all the lessons in order and
discipline learned from the wary knolles! In
instant, forgetful of all things but this noble
challenge, Nigel was running at the top OF his
speed for the burning gate. Close at his heels
was the Frenchman, blowing and gasping,
he rushed along in his brazen armor. Behind
came stream of bowling arChers and men-at-
arms, like food which has broken its dam.
Down they slipped into the ditch, rushed
across 1t, and Clambered on each others backs
up the opposite side. Nigel, Raoul and two
archers gained foothold in front of the burn
ing gate at the same moment. With blows and
kicks they burst 1t to pieces and dashed with
yell of triumph through the dark archway
beyond
For a moment they thought with mad rap
ture that the castle was carried A dark tunnel
lay before them, down which they rushed.
But alas at the farther end it was blocked by
a second gateway as strong as that which had
been burned. In vain they beat upon it with
their swords and axes. On each side the tun-
mel was pierced with Sits, and the crossbow
bolts discharged at only few yards distance
crashed through armor as II 1t was cloth and
laid man after man upon the stones They
ragged and leaped before the great iron-clamped
barrier, but the wall itself was as easy to tear
down.
1t was bitter to draw back; but it was mad
ness to remain. Nigel looked round and saw
that half his men were down. At the same
moment Raoul sank with gasp at his feet,
bolt driven to its socket through the links of
the canal which guarded his neck Some of
the archers, seeing that certain death awaited
them, were already running back to escape the
fatal passage.
BY Saint PAUL" cried Nigel hoty, would
you leave our wounded where this butcher may
lay his hands upon them? Let the archers shoot
inwards and hold them back from the Sits.
Now let each man raise one of our comrades.
lest we leave our honor in the gate of this
castle"
With a mighty effort he had raised Raoul
upon his shoulders and staggered with him
to the edge of the ditch. Several men were
waiting below where the steep bank shielded
them from the arrows, and to them Nigel
handed down his wounded friend and each
archer in turn did the same. Again and again
Nigel went back, until no one lay in the tunnel
save seven who had died there Thirteen
wounded were laid in the shelter of the ditch,
and there they must remain until night came
to cover them. Meanwhile the bowmen on
the farther side protected them from attack,
and also prevented the enemy from all at
tempts to build up the outer gate. The gap
ing smoke-blackened arch was all that they
could show for a loss of thirty men. but that at
least Knoles was determined to keep.
Burned and bruised, but unconscious of
either pain or fatigue for the turmoil of his
spirit within him, Nigel knelt by the French
man and loosened his helmet. The girlish face