New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-11

to help those VINO mad but leather Jacks 20
shield their bodies From above CeaselcsS
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 bedragged, the re-
mains of the StOTmIng party Clambered out OF
the ditch as best they could, Clutchlng at the
friendly hands held down 20 them, and so
lmped their wav back amid the tauuts and
bowls of their enemies. y long pile of smolder-
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 was 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
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. We viii build another bridge. he
cried. Set the peasants binding tagg'ts
once more
But thought had flashed through Nigel's
der door are red-hOt and the wood as white a.
ashes. Surelywe can break our way through it
BY the Virgin. YOU speak truly cried the
French Squire " II we can cross the ditch the
gate will not stop Us Come, Nigel for our
fair ladies' saLes | WI! race YOU who VIII
reach IT first, England or France
Alas for all the WISE words OF the good
Chandos Alas for all the lessons IN order and
discipline learned from the wary kn0lles In
an 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 as
he rushed along IN his brazen amor Behind
came stream of bowling archers and men-at-
arms, like a flood which has broken It's dam
Down they slipped into the ditch, rushed
across II, and ClambeTed on each other backs
up the opposite side. Nigel RaOu and two
arCherS gained a foothOld IN front OF the burn
ing gate at the same moment With blows and
kicks they burst II TO pieces and dashed with a
yell OF triumph through the dark archway
beyond.
For moment they thought with mad rap
ture that the castle was carried. \ dark tunnel
lay before them, down which they rushed
But alas at the farther end II was blocked by
a second gateway as strong as that which had
been burned. In vain they beat upon il with
their swords and axes. On each side the tun-
mel was pierced with Sits. and the CroS,hOw
bolts discharged at only a few wards distance
crashed through armOr II II was cloth and
lald man after man upon the stones. They
ragged and leaped before the great irJn-cIamped
barrier, but the wall itself was as easy u tear
down.
1t was bitter TO draw back. but IT was mad
ness 70 remain. Nigel looked round and saw
that halt 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 archcrS, seeing that certain death awaited
them, were already running back 10 escape the
fatal passage.
BY Saint Paul. cred Nigel hotlv, would
You leave our wounded where this butcher NAV [
lay his hands upon them Let the archers shoot 1
lnwardS 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 70 them Nigel
handed down his wounded friend and each
archer in turn did the same. Again and again
Nigel went back, until no one Law in the tunnel
save seven who had died thee Thirteen .
wounded We're iaid in the shelter of the ditch F..
and there they must remain until night came
TO cover them Meanwhile the boWrucn ON
the farther side protected them from attack
and also prevented the enemy from an ar
temptS 70 build UP the outer gate. The zap
ing Smoke-blackeued arch was all that they
could show for "a loss of thirty men hun thar ar .
least knollcS was determined 20 keep.
Burned and bruised. but unconscious of
either pam or fatigue for the turmoil of his
spirit within him, Nigel kuelt low the French
man and loosened his helmet The eIrIiSh ft-4
OF the young Squire was white as chalk AMI
H. l..