stop till we see the end of it."

With a shout of "Aldgate! Aldgate!" the leader of the assailants dashed
forward, followed by his comrades, and with a rush reached the top of the
heap.

"Well done!" the young prince exclaimed, clapping his hands. "See how he
lays about him with that club of his. There, he has knocked down the
leader of the defenders as if his club had been a battle-axe. Well done,
young sir, well done! But his followers waver. The others are too strong
for them. Stand, you cowards, rally round your leader!" and in his
enthusiasm the young prince urged his horse forward to the scene of
conflict.

But the assailants were mastered; few of them could gain the top of the
heap, and those who did so were beaten back from it by the defenders. Heavy
blows were exchanged, and blood flowed freely from many of their heads and
faces, for in those days boys thought less than they do now of hard knocks,
and manliness and courage were considered the first of virtues. Their
leader, however, still stood his ground on the crest, though hardly pressed
on all sides, and used his club both to strike and parry with a skill which
aroused the warmest admiration on the part of the prince. In vain his
followers attempted to come to his rescue; each time they struggled up the
heap they were beaten back again by those on the crest.

"Yield thee prisoner," the assailants of their leader shouted, and the
prince in his excitement echoed the cry. The lad, however, heard or heeded
them not. He still kept his flag aloft in his left hand. With a sudden
spring he struck down one of his opponents, plucked up their flag from the
ground, and then fought his way back through his foes to the edge of the