they had reckoned on the sortie, so steadily did they receive it."

As only a portion of the garrison had issued out they were unable to resist
long the pressure of the apprentices, who drove them back step by step to
the sally- port, and pressing them hard endeavoured to force their way in
at their heels.



CHAPTER VII: THE YOUNG ESQUIRE


While the attention of the whole of the spectators and combatants was fixed
upon the struggle at the right-hand angle of the castle, a party of twenty
'prentices suddenly leapt to their feet from among the broken palisades of
the outwork. Lying prone there they had escaped the attention of the
spectators as well as of the defenders. The reason why the assailants
carried the planks and ladders to this spot was now apparent. Only a
portion had been taken on to the assault of the right-hand tower; those who
now rose to their feet lifted with them planks and ladders, and at a rapid
pace ran towards the left angle of the castle, and reached that point
before the attention of the few defenders who remained on the wall there
was attracted to them, so absorbed were they in the struggle at the other
angle. The moment that they saw the new assailants they raised a shout of
alarm, but the din of the combat, the shouts of the leaders and men were so
loud, that their cries were unheard. Two or three then hurried away at
full speed to give the alarm, while the others strove to repel the assault.
Their efforts were in vain. The planks were flung across the moat, the
ladders placed in position, and led by Walter the assailants sprang up and
gained a footing on the wall before the alarm was fairly given. A