Knolles set them cutting bushes
and tying them into fagots. When morning came he rode out before
the wall and he held counsel with his knights and squires as to
how he should enter in.
"By noon," said he, "we shall have so many fagots that we may make
our way over the ditch. Then we will beat in the gates and so win
a footing."
The young Frenchman had come with Nigel to the conference, and
now, amid the silence which followed the leader's proposal, he
asked if he might be heard. He was clad in the brazen armor which
Nigel had taken from the Red Ferret.
"It may be that it is not for me to join in your counsel," said
he, "seeing that I am a prisoner and a Frenchman. But this man is
the enemy of all, and we of France owe him a debt even as you do,
since many a good Frenchman has died in his cellars. For this
reason I crave to be heard."
"We will hear you," said Knolles.
"I have come from Evran yesterday," said he. "Sir Henry
Spinnefort, Sir Peter La Roye and many other brave knights and
squires lie there, with a good company of men, all of whom would
very gladly join with you to destroy this butcher and his castle,
for it is well known amongst us that his deeds are neither good
nor fair. There are also bombards which we could drag over the
hills, and so beat down this iron gate. If you so order it I will
ride to Evran and bring my companions back with me.
Pages:
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373