Part 13 (1/2)

”This is our third day,” was the boy's reply.

”How did you escape the besiegers?” Arthur, who with the rest was listening now inquired.

”It was done at night, sire. We two climbed over the wall. Two yeomen helped us over. One of King Mark's men saw us and at first mistook us for men from his own camp. Him, Breunor le Noire, gave little time for outcry. We gagged and bound him and then Walker and Gouvernail climbed back for a long rope and lifted him over on the castle side.

For we had no wish to have King Mark's men find him and suspect that some of those within had gone for aid.”

Now the meal was over. Within another hour King Cadoris had gathered five hundred of his men. King Mark and his men would never have stomach for affray. When the afternoon's sun was in the low western sky, the rescuing party was well on its way.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

In King Mark's Castle

So we return to the doughty few who are behind the walls of the great castle.

”We shall wear out these impudent knaves,” King Mark had said after the first great surprise. ”Surely they cannot expect to hold out for any great length of time.”

”Aye,” had agreed the ever present Pendore and Bertram. ”And when they are overcome,” Sir Pendore had added darkly, ”then shall we find our day has come. For Launcelot shall surely suffer.”

But the days went and the besiegers found a far greater and more stubborn resistance than they had expected. Their losses were many, due to the skillful archery of the few within. King Mark's castle was of the kind that could only be a.s.sailed at two points which was in itself great help to the besieged.

If, perchance, the men of King Mark had had greater stomach for the attack, things might have gone ill with those within. But there were many of the men of this king who favored but little the quarrel with the besieged, counting it, in their own hearts, a scurvy action on the part of Cornwall's king. And men fight poorly who have such thoughts.

Not that all was well with those within. On this, the eighth day of their occupancy of the castle, the men were a haggard lot. Little sleep had they. Some of them had been wounded, wonder it was that these were so few and that none were dead. Sir Neil was lost to them for the time, Wonkin, too had fought heroically but had fallen, sorely wounded in an attack. Three others had been hurt, and for every man who fell, there grew the greater burden on those who were left.

Constant watch, constant need for being present to repel the attackers had left the mark of weariness on Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram and Sir Percival. Yet these three were a host in themselves as they, with Gouvernail and Walker, set an inspiring example to the rest.

”Faith,” said Sir Percival at this moment, ”I cannot say that I would not welcome the arrival of Arthur and our men.”

”I had never thought sleep so great a luxury,” rejoined Sir Tristram.

”Nor I,” added Sir Launcelot. ”However, do you both take such little of that now as those knaves who are on the outside permit.”

But this neither of the two had in mind to do. Yet Sir Launcelot insisted and only had his way when he promised that he would also take time for sleep after them.

They had, so it seemed to them, but barely fallen asleep, when there was great outcry from both within and without the gates. The men of King Mark had evidently decided on a determined attack with full intention to overcome the stubborn few. In a great ma.s.s they came and though many fell and every arrow told yet were they not to be denied.

And as they came close to the walls King Mark's men opened wide their ranks and a score of men were seen carrying a bridge to throw over in place of the drawbridge which they could not reach.

”Now has it grown right serious,” said Sir Launcelot.

”Will you Percival hold these walls while Tristram, I, Gouvernail and Walker, make every effort to see that the bridge does not stay.”

There was no time for further words. The four quickly made for the gates. They opened and closed them quickly. Each held a stave that seemed not unlike a young tree, of which a number were inside the gates.

”Let them place the bridge first,” said Sir Launcelot.

Upon them a hail of arrows fell but none were hurt. Gouvernail and Walker were protected for the time in both coats and helmets of steel which Sir Tristram had made them wear.

Now the men of King Mark had thrown the bridge over the embankment.