CHAPTER XVIII.
Had the gallant defenders of Kildrummie Castle been conscious that theat first dilatory and then uncertain measures of their foes originatedin the fact that the Earls of Hereford and Lancaster were not themselvesyet on the field, and that they had with them a vast addition to theirforces, they would not perhaps have rested so securely on the hopeswhich their unexpected success very naturally engendered. Attack on oneside they knew they could resist; their only dread had been that, fromthe numbers of the English, the angle towers, each of which covered apostern, might be attacked at once, and thus discover the real weaknessof their forces. The obstinate struggle for the barbacan, the strongestpoint of the castle, had been welcomed with joy by the Scotch, for therethey could overlook every movement of the besiegers. Some wonder it didcause that such renowned knights as the earls were known to be, shouldnot endeavor to throw them off their guard by a division of attack; butthis wonder could not take from the triumph of success.
It was from no want of observation the absence of the two earls remainedundiscovered by the besieged. Engaged on a secret expedition, whoseobject will be seen in the sequel, they had commanded the messagedemanding surrender to be given in their names, their pavilions to bepitched in sight of the castle as if they were already there, theirbanners to wave above them, esquires and pages to be in attendance, andtheir war-cries to be shouted, as was the custom when they led on inperson. The numerous knights, clothed in bright armor from head to heelever traversing the field, assisted the illusion, and the Scotch neveronce suspected the truth.
Imagining a very brief struggle would deliver the castle into theirhands, even if its garrison were mad enough to refuse compliance withKing Edward's terms, the earls had not hurried themselves on theirexpedition, and a fortnight after the siege had begun, were reposingthemselves very cavalierly in the stronghold of an Anglo-Scottish baron,some thirty miles southward of the scene of action.
It was the hour of supper, a rude repast of venison, interspersed withhorn and silver flagons filled with the strong liquors of the day, andserved up in a rude hall, of which the low round arches in the roof, themassive walls without buttresses, and windows running small outside, butspreading as to become much larger within, all denoted the Saxonarchitecture unsoftened by any of the Norman improvements.
The earls and their host, with some attendant knights, sat as usualround the dais or raised part of the hall, their table distinguished itmay be by some gold as well as silver vessels, and a greater variety ofliquor, particularly hypocras and claret of the day, the one formed ofwine and honey, the other of wine and spices; by the sinnel and wastelcakes, but certainly not by the superior refinement of the more solidfood. The huge silver saltcellar alone divided the table of the baronfrom that of his dependants, yet the distinction of sitting above andbelow the salt was as great as the division between the master andservant of the present day; the jest, the loud laugh seasoned theviands placed before them, and the hearty draught from the welcomeflagon. Nor was the baron's own table much quieter; remarks on the stateof the country, speculations as to the hiding-place of King Robert, andwhen they should receive tidings of the surrender of Kildrummie, formedtopics of conversation alternately with discussions on the excellence ofthe wines, the flavor of the venison, the difference between English andScottish cookery, and such like matters, important in the days of ourancestors as in our own.
"You have ridden long enough to-day, good my lords, to make a heartycharge on your suppers; a long journey and a tough battle, commend me tothem for helps to the appetite," said the Scottish baron, joyouslyinviting them by his own example to eat on and spare not.
"Commend me to the latter, an ye will," answered Hereford, on whose browa cloud of something like distaste had spread; "but by mine honor, Ilove not the business of the last week. I have brought it to a close,however, and praise the saints for it."
"Bah! thou art over-squeamish, Hereford. Edward would give us the secondbest jewel in his chaplet for the rich prize we have sent him," resumedLancaster.
"Reserving the first, of course, for the traitor Bruce himself,"interposed their host. "Ah! such a captive were in truth worth anearldom."
"Then, by my troth, the traitor's wife is worth a barony," returnedLancaster, laughing; "and her fair bevy of attendants, amongst whom arethe wives, daughters, and sisters of many a rebel, thinkest thou not weshall be high in Edward's favor for them, too? I tell thee we might havefought many a good fight, and not have done him such good service."
"It may be, it may be," answered Hereford, impatiently, "had it been atthe sword's point, had they been prisoners by force of arms, I wouldhave joyed too, and felt it was good service; but such rank treachery,decoyed, entrapped by that foul prince of lies, the Lord of Ross--faugh!I could have rammed his treachery back into his throat."
"And done the king, perchance, good service too," rejoined Lancaster,still excessively amused, "for I have no faith in a traitor, however hemay serve us a while; yet thou art not over-wise, good friend, to letsuch trifles chafe thee thus. Trust me, Edward will think more of thecaptives than the capture."
"There was a time he would not," answered the earl, mournfully; "a time,when Edward would have held it foul scorn to war with women, and worsethan scorn to obtain their persons by treachery, as now."
"Aye, but he has changed, and we must change too, would we please him,"said the baron; "such notions might have done in former days, but theyare too high-flown for the present time, my good lord. I marvel theyshould have lingered so long with thee."
A frown gathered on Hereford's broad and noble brow, but remembering theforbearance due to his host, he checked an angry reply. "The king _has_changed," he said, "darkly and painfully changed; ambition has warpedthe noblest, knightliest heart which ever beat for chivalry."
"Hush, ere thou speakest treason, Sir Earl; give me not the pain ofdraining another flagon of this sparkling hypocras to gain strength forthine arrest, good friend," exclaimed Lancaster, laying the flat of hissword on the earl's shoulder.
Hereford half smiled. "Thou art too happy in thy light-hearted mirth forme to say aught that would so disturb it," he said; "yet I say, and willsay again, would to heaven, I had been before the gates of Kildrummie,and left to thee all the honor and glory, an thou wilt, of thiscapture."
"Honor and glory, thou bitter piece of satire!" rejoined Lancaster,holding up a large golden flagon, to hide his face from the earl."Unhappy me, were this all the glory I could win. I will wipe away thestain, if stain there be, at Kildrummie, an it be not surrendered ere wereach it."
"The stain is with the base traitor Ross, not with thee or me," answeredHereford; "'tis that I abhor the nature of such expeditions, that Iloathe, aye, loathe communication with such as he, and that--if it canbe--that worse traitor Buchan, that makes me rejoice I have naughtbefore me now but as fair a field as a siege may be. Would to God, thisdevastating and most cruel war were over, I do say! on a fair field itmay be borne, but not to war with women and children, as has been myfate."
"Aye, by the way, this is not the first fair prize thou hast sent toEdward; the Countess of Buchan was a rare jewel for our covetingmonarch--somewhat more than possession, there was room for vengeancethere. Bore she her captivity more queenly than the sobbing and weepingMargaret?"
The question was reiterated by most of the knights around the dais, butHereford evidently shrunk from the inquiry.
"Speak not of it, I charge ye," he said. "There is no room for jestingon grief as hers; majestic and glorious she was, but if the reportedtale be true, her every thought, her every feeling was, as I even thenimagined, swallowed up in one tearless and stern but all-engrossinganguish."
"The reported tale! meanest thou the fate of her son?" asked one of theknights.
"If it be true!" resumed another; "believest thou, my lord, there isaught of hope to prove it false?"
"More likely to be true than false," added Lancaster; "I can believe anything of that dark scowling villain
Buchan--even the murder of hischild."
"I believe it _not_," answered Hereford; "bad as that man is, hard inheart as in temper, he has too much policy to act thus, even if he hadno feelings of nature rising to prevent it. No, no; I would wager theruby brooch in my helmet that boy lives, and his father will make use ofhim to forward his own interests yet."
"But why then forge this tale?" demanded their host; "how may that servehis purpose?"
"Easily enough, with regard to the vengeance we all know he vowed towreak on his unhappy wife. What deeper misery could he inflict upon herthan the belief her boy was murdered? and as for its effect on Edward,trust a Comyn to make his own way clear."
"But what do with the boy meanwhile?"
"Keep him under lock and key; chained up, may be, as a dog in a kennel,till he has broken his high spirit, and moulds him to the tool hewills," answered Hereford, "or at least till his mother is out of hispath."
"Ha! thinkest thou the king will demand such sweeping vengeance? Hesurely will not sentence a woman to death."
"Had I thought so, had I only dreamed so," replied Hereford, with almoststartling sternness, "as there is a God above us, I would have riskedthe charge of treason and refused to give her up! But no, my lords, no;changed as Edward is, he would not, he dared not use his power thus. Imeant but imprisonment, when I said out of the boy's path--more he willnot do; but even such I love not. Bold as it was to crown the rebelBruce, the deed sprung from a noble heart, and noble deeds should meetwith noble judgment."
A bugle sounded twice or thrice sharply without, and occasioning somebustle at the lower part of the ball, interrupted for a brief space theconverse of the lords. A few minutes after, the seneschal, attended bytwo or three higher servants, returned, marshalling in due form twoyoung men in the garb of esquires, followed by some fifteen or twentymen-at-arms.
"Ha! Fitz-Ernest and Hugo; well met, and ye bring us good tidings fromKildrummie," exclaimed both the English earls at once, as cap in handthe esquires slowly walked up the hall, and did obeisance to theirmasters.
"Yet your steps are somewhat laggard, as they bring us news of victory.By my troth, were it not utterly impossible, I could deem ye had beenworsted in the strife," continued the impatient Lancaster, while thecooler and more sagacious Hereford scanned the countenances of theesquires in silence. "Yet and ye come not to tell of victory, why haveye come at all?"
"To beseech your lordship's speedy return, to the camp," repliedFitz-Ernest, after a moment's hesitation, his cheek still flushed fromhis master's words. "There is division of purpose and action in thecamp, and an ye not return and head the attack your noble selves, I fearme there is little hope of victory."
"Peace, fool! is there such skill and wisdom needed? Division in purposeand action! Quarrelling, methinks, had better be turned against theenemy than against yourselves. Hugo, do thou speak; in plain terms,wherefore come ye?"
"In plain terms, then, good my lord, as yet we have had the worst ofit," answered the esquire, bluntly. "The Scotch fight like very devils,attacking us instead of waiting for our attack, penetrating into thevery centre of our camp, one knows not how or whence, bearing offprisoners and booty in our very teeth."
"Prisoners--booty--worsted! Thou durst not tell me so!" exclaimedLancaster, furiously, as he started up and half drew his sword.
"Peace, peace, I pray thee, good friend, peace," continued Hereford,laying his hand on Lancaster's shoulder, with a force which compelledhim to resume his seat. "Let us at least hear and understand theirmission. Speak out, Hugo, and briefly--what has befallen?"
In a few straightforward words his esquire gave all the informationwhich was needed, interrupted only now and then by a brief interrogationfrom Hereford, and some impatient starts and muttering from hiscolleague. The success of the Scots, described in a former page, hadcontinued, despite the action of the mangonels and other engines whichthe massive walls appeared to hold in defiance. So watchful and skilfulwere the besieged, that the greatest havoc had been made amongst the menemployed in working the engines, and not yet had even the palisades andbarbacan been successfully stormed.
"Have they tried any weaker point?" Hereford asked, and the answer was,that it was on this very matter division had spread amongst the knights,some insisting on carrying the barbacan as the most important point, andothers advising and declaring their only hope of success lay in adivided attack on two of the weaker sides at once.
"The fools, the sorry fools!" burst again from Lancaster. "They deserveto be worsted for their inordinate pride and folly; all wanted to lead,and none would follow. Give you good e'en, my lord," he added, turninghastily to his host; "I'll to the courtyard and muster forth my men.Fitz-Ernest, thou shalt speak on as we go," and drawing his furredmantle around him, he strode rapidly yet haughtily from the hall.Hereford only waited to learn all from Hugo, to hold a briefconsultation with some of his attendant knights, and he too, despite theentreaties of his host to tarry with him at least till morning, left thebanquet to don his armor.
"Silence and speed carry all before them, my good lord," he said,courteously. "In such a case, though I fear no eventual evil, they mustnot be neglected. I would change the mode of attack on these Scotch, erethey are even aware their foes are reinforced."
"Eventual evil, of a truth, there need not be, my lord," interposed hisesquire, "even should no force of arms prevail. I have heard there aresome within the walls who need but a golden bribe to do the work forus."
"Peace!" said the nobleman, sternly. "I loathe the very wordbetray--spoken or intended. Shame, shame on thee to speak it, and yetmore shame to imagine it needed! Art thou of Norman birth, and deemest ahandful of Scotch like these will bid us raise the siege and tamelydepart?--yet better so than gained by treachery."
Hugo and the Scottish baron alike shrunk back from the reproving look ofHereford, and both silently followed him to the courtyard. Already itwas a scene of bustling animation: trumpets were sounding and drumsrolling; torches flashing through the darkness on the mailed coats ofthe knights and on gleaming weapons; and the heavy tramp of near twohundred horse, hastily accoutred and led from the stable, mingled withthe hoarse winds of winter, howling tempestuously around. The reservewhich Hereford had retained to guard the prisoners so treacherouslydelivered over to him, was composed of the noblest amidst his army,almost all mounted chevaliers; and, therefore, though he might not addmuch actual force to the besiegers, the military skill and experiencewhich that little troop included argued ill for the besieged. Some ofthe heaviest engines he had kept back also, particularly a tower somefour or five stories high, so constructed that it could be rolled to thewalls, and its inmates ascend unscathed by the weapons of theirdefenders. Not imagining it would be needed, he had not sent it on withthe main body, but now he commanded twelve of the strongest horses to beyoked to it, and on went the unwieldy engine, rumbling and staggering onits ill-formed wheels. Lancaster, whose impatience no advice could evercontrol, dashed on with the first troop, leaving his cooler comrade tolook to the yoking of the engines and the marshalling the men, and withhis own immediate attendants bringing up the rear, a task for whichHereford's self-command as well fitted him as his daring gallantry tohead the foremost charge.
"Ye will have a rough journey, my good lord; yet an ye deem it best,farewell and heaven speed ye," was the parting greeting of the baron, ashe stood beside the impatient charger of the earl.
"The rougher the better," was that nobleman's reply; "the noise of thewind will conceal our movements better than a calmer night. Farewell,and thanks--a soldier's thanks, my lord, poor yet honest--for thy rightnoble welcome."
He bent his head courteously, set spurs to his steed, and dashed overthe drawbridge as the last of his men disappeared through the outergate. The Scottish nobleman looked after him with many mingled feelings.
"As noble a warrior as ever breathed," he muttered; "it were honor toserve under him, yet an he wants me not I will not join him. I love notthe Bruce, yet uncalled, unneed
ed, I will not raise sword against mycountrymen," and with slow, and equal steps he returned to the hall.
Hereford was correct in his surmises. The pitchy darkness of a winternight would scarcely have sufficed to hide the movements attendant onthe sudden arrival of a large body of men in the English camp, had notthe hoarse artillery of the wind, moaning, sweeping, and then rushingo'er the hills with a crashing sound like thunder, completely smotheredevery other sound, and if at intervals of quiet unusual sounds didattract the ears of those eager watchers on the Scottish walls, theutter impossibility of kindling torches or fires in either campfrustrated every effort of discovery. Hoarser and wilder grew thewhirlwind with the waning hours, till even the steel-clad men-at-armsstationed on the walls moved before it, and were compelled to crouchdown till its violence had passed. Favored by the elements, Herefordproceeded to execute his measures, heedless alike of the joyful surprisehis sudden appearance occasioned, and of the tale of division anddiscord which Hugo and Fitz-Ernest had reported as destroying the unityof the camp. Briefly and sternly refusing audience to each who pressedforward, eager to exculpate himself at the expense of his companions, hedesired his esquire to proclaim a general amnesty to all who allowedthemselves to have been in error, and would henceforth implicitly obeyhis commands; he returned to his pavilion, with the Earl of Lancaster,summoning around him the veterans of the army, and a brief consultationwas held. They informed him the greatest mischief had been occasioned bythe injuries done to the engines, which had been brought to play againstthe walls. Stones of immense weight had been hurled upon them,materially injuring their works, and attended with such fatal slaughterto the men who worked them, that even the bravest shrunk back appalled;that the advice of the senior officers had been to hold back until theseengines were repaired, merely keeping strict guard against unexpectedsallies on the part of the Scotch, as this would not only give them timeto recruit their strength, but in all probability throw the besieged offtheir guard. Not above half of the army, however, agreed with thiscounsel; the younger and less wary spurned it as cowardice and folly,and rushing on to the attack, ill-formed and ill-conducted, had everbeen beaten back with immense loss; defeat, however, instead of teachingprudence, lashed them into greater fury, which sometimes turned uponeach other.
Hereford listened calmly, yet with deep attention, now and then indeedturning his expressive eyes towards his colleague, as if entreating himto observe that the mischief which had befallen them proceeded greatlyfrom impetuosity and imprudence, and beseeching his forbearance. Nor wasLancaster regardless of this silent appeal; conscious of his equalitywith Hereford in bravery and nobleness, he disdained not to acknowledgehis inferiority to him in that greater coolness, which in a siege is somuch needed, and grasping his hand with generous fervor, bade him speak,advise, command, and he would find no one in the camp more ready to becounselled and to obey than Lancaster. To tear down those rebel colorsand raise those of England in their stead, was all he asked.
"And fear not that task shall be other than thine own, my gallantfriend," was Hereford's instant reply, his features kindling atLancaster's words more than they had done yet; and then again quicklyresuming his calm unimpassioned exterior, he inquired if the mangonelsand other engines were again fit for use. There were several that couldinstantly be put in action was the reply. Had the numbers of fightingmen within the castle been ascertained? They had, a veteran answered,from a prisoner, who had appeared so willing to give information, thathis captors imagined there were very many malcontents within the walls.Of stalwart fighting men there were scarcely more than three hundred;others there were, of whose number was the prisoner, who fought becausetheir companions' swords would else have been at their throats, but thatthey would be glad enough to be made prisoners, to escape the horrors ofthe siege.
"I am sorry for it," was the earl's sole rejoinder, "there will be lessglory in the conquest."
"And this Sir Nigel Bruce, whoe'er he be, hath to combat againstfearful odds," remarked Lancaster; "and these Scotch-men, by my troth,seem touched by the hoof of the arch-deceiver--treachery from the earlto the peasant. Hast noticed how this scion of the Bruce bearshimself?--right gallantly, 'tis said."
"As a very devil, my lord," impetuously answered a knight; "in the wallsor out of them, there's no standing before him. He sweeps down his foes,line after line, as cards blown before the wind; he is at the head ofevery charge, the last of each retreat. But yesternight there were thosewho marked him covering the retreat of his men absolutely alone; hissword struck down two at every sweep, till his passage was cleared; hedarted on--the drawbridge trembled in its grooves--for he had given thecommand to raise it, despite his own danger--his charger, mad ashimself, sprang forward, and like a lightning flash, both disappearedwithin the portcullis as the bridge uprose."
"Gallantly done!" exclaimed Lancaster, who had listened to this recitalalmost breathlessly. "By St. George, a foe worthy to meet and strugglewith! But who is he--what is he?"
"Knowest thou not?" said Hereford, surprised; "the brother, youngestbrother I have heard, of this same daring Earl of Carrick who has sotroubled our sovereign."
"Nigel, the brother of Robert! What, the scribe, the poet, the dreamerof Edward's court? a poor youth, with naught but his beauty to recommendhim. By all good angels, this metamorphosis soundeth strangely! art sure'tis the same, the very same?"
"I have heard so," was Hereford's quiet reply, and continuing his moreimportant queries with the veterans around, while Lancaster, his gayerspirit roused by this account of Nigel, demanded every minute particularconcerning him, that he might seek him hand to hand.
"Steel armor inlaid with silver--blue scarf across his breast,embroidered with his cognizance in gold--blue plume, which no Englishsword hath ever soiled--humph! that's reserved for me--charger white asthe snow on the ground--sits his steed as man and horse were one. Well,gloriously well, there will be no lack of glory here!" he said,joyously, as one by one he slowly enumerated the symbols by which hemight recognize his foe. So expeditiously had Hereford conducted hiswell-arranged plans, that when his council was over, it still wanted twohours to dawn, and these Hereford commanded the men who had accompaniedhim to pass in repose.
But he himself partook not of this repose, passing the remainder of thedarkness in carefully reviewing the forces which were still fresh andprepared for the onset, in examining the nature of the engines, andfinally, still aided by the noise of the howling winds, marshalled themin formidable array in very front of the barbacan, the heavy mist thrownonward by the blasts effectually concealing their near approach. ToLancaster the command of this party was intrusted; Hereford reserving tohimself the desirable yet delicate task of surveying the ground,confident that the attack on the barbacan would demand the wholestrength and attention of the besieged, and thus effectually cover hismovements.
His plan succeeded. A fearful shout, seconded by a tremendous dischargeof huge stones, some of which rattled against the massive walls in vain,others flying across the moat and crushing some of the men on the innerwall, were the first terrific sounds which unexpectedly greeted thearoused attention of the Scotch. The armor of their foes flashingthrough the mist, the furious charge of the knights up to the very gatesof the barbacan, seemingly in sterner and more compact array than oflate had been their wont, the immense body which followed them,appearing in that dim light more numerous than reality, struck amomentary chill on the Scottish garrison; but the unwonted emotion wasspeedily dissipated by the instant and unhesitating sally of SirChristopher Seaton and his brave companions. The impetuosity of theircharge, the suddenness of their appearance, despite their greatdisparity of numbers, caused the English a moment to bear back, and keptthem in full play until Nigel and his men-at-arms, rushing over thelowered drawbridge, joined in the strife. A brief, very brief intervalof fighting convinced both the Scottish leaders that a master-spirit nowheaded their foes; that they were struggling at infinitely greater oddsthan before; that unity of purpose, greater sagacity
, and military skillwere now at work against them, they scarce knew wherefore, for theyrecognized the same war-cry, the same banners; there were the samegallant show of knights, for in the desperate _melee_ it was scarcelypossible to distinguish the noble form of Lancaster from his fellows,although marking the azure plume, which even then waved high above allothers, though round it the work of death ever waxed hottest; theefforts of the English earl were all bent to meet its gallant wearerhand to hand, but the press of war still held them apart, though bothseemed in every part of the field. It was a desperate struggle man toman; the clash of swords became one strange continuous mass of sound,instead of the fearful distinctness which had marked their work before.Shouts and cries mingled fearfully with the sharper clang, the heavyfall of man and horse, the creaking of the engines, the wild shrieks ofthe victims within the walls mangled by the stones, or from thesurvivors who witnessed their fall--all formed a din as terrific tohear, as dreadful to behold. With even more than their wonted braverythe Scotch fought, but with less success. The charge of the English wasno longer the impetuous fury of a few hot-headed young men, more eagerto _despite_ their cooler advisers, than gain any permanent good forthemselves. Now, as one man fell another stepped forward in his place,and though the slaughter might have been equal, nay, greater on the sideof the besiegers than the besieged, by one it was scarcely felt, by theother the death of each man was even as the loss of a host. Still, stillthey struggled on, the English obtaining possession of the palisades,though the immense strength of the barbacan itself, defended as it wasby the strenuous efforts of the Scotch, still resisted all attack:bravely, nobly, the besieged retreated within their walls, pellmelltheir foes dashed after them, and terrific was the combat on thedrawbridge, which groaned and creaked beneath the heavy tramp of man andhorse. Many, wrestling in the fierceness of mortal strife, fell togetherin the moat, and encumbered with heavy armor, sunk in each other's arms,in the grim clasp of death.
Then it was Lancaster met hand to hand the gallant foe he sought,covering the retreat of his men, who were bearing Sir ChristopherSeaton, desperately wounded, to the castle. Sir Nigel stood well-nighalone on the bridge; his bright armor, his foaming charger bore evidentmarks of the fray, but still he rode his steed firmly and unbent, hisplume yet waved untouched by the foeman's sword. Nearer and nearerpressed forward the English earl, signing to his men to secure withoutwounding his gallant foe; round him they closely gathered, but Nigelevinced no sign either of trepidation or anger, fearlessly, gallantly,he returned the earl's impetuous charge, backing his steed slowly as hedid so, and keeping his full front to his foe. On, on pressed Lancaster,even to the postern; a bound, a shout, and scarcely was he aware thathis sword had ceased to cross with Nigel's, before he was startled bythe heavy fall of the portcullis, effectually dividing them, and utterlyfrustrating further pursuit. A cry of rage, of disappointment broke fromthe English, as they were compelled to turn and rejoin their friends.
The strife still continued within and without the barbacan, and endedwithout much advantage on either side. The palisades and outwardbarriers had indeed fallen into the hands of the English, which was thefirst serious loss yet sustained by the besieged; from the barbacan theyhad gallantly and successfully driven their foe, but that triflingsuccess was so counterbalanced by the serious loss of life amid thegarrison which it included, that both Nigel and Sir Christopher felt thenext attack must deliver it into the hands of the besiegers. Their lossof men was in reality scarcely a third of the number which had fallenamong the English, yet to them that loss was of infinitely moreconsequence than to the foe. Bitter and painful emotions filled thenoble spirit of Nigel, as he gazed on the diminished number of his men,and met the ill-suppressed groans and lamentations of those who had, atthe first alarm of the English, sought shelter and protection in thecastle; their ill-suppressed entreaties that he would struggle no longeragainst such odds grated harshly and ominously on his ear; but sternlyhe turned from them to the men-at-arms, and in their steadfast braveryand joyous acclamations found some degree of hope.
Yet ere the day closed the besieged felt too truly their dreams oftriumph, of final success, little short of a miracle would realize.Their fancy that some new and mightier spirit of generalship was at workwithin the English camp was confirmed. Two distinct bodies were observedat work on the eastern and southern sides of the mount, the oneevidently employed in turning aside the bed of the river, which on thatside flowed instead of the moat beneath the wall, the other inendeavoring to fill up the moat by a causeway, so as to admit of aneasy access to the outer wall. The progress they had made in their workthe first day, while the attention of the Scotch had been confined tothe attack on the barbacan, was all-sufficient evidence of their intent;and with bitter sorrow Sir Nigel and his brother-in-law felt that theironly means of any efficient defence lay in resigning the long-contestedbarbacan to the besiegers. An important point it certainly was, butstill to retain it the walls overlooking the more silent efforts of theEnglish must be left comparatively unguarded, and they might obtain analmost uninterrupted and scarce-contested passage within the walls,while the whole strength and attention of the besieged were employed, ashad already been the case, on a point that they had scarce a hopeeventually to retain. With deep and bitter sorrow the alternative wasproposed and carried in a hurried council of war, and so well actedupon, that, despite the extreme watchfulness of the English, men,treasure, arms, and artillery, all that the strong towers contained,were conveyed at dead of night over the drawbridge into the castle, andthe following morning, Lancaster, in utter astonishment, took possessionof the deserted fort.
Perhaps to both parties this resolution was alike a disappointment andrestraint. The English felt there was no glory in their prize, they hadnot obtained possession through their own prowess and skill; and nowthat the siege had become so much closer, and this point ofcommunication was entirely stopped, the hand-to-hand combat, theglorious _melee_, the press of war, which to both parties had been anexcitement, and little more than warlike recreation, had of courseentirely ceased, but Hereford heeded not the disappointment of his men;his plans were progressing as he had desired, even though his workmenwere greatly harassed by the continued discharge of arrows and immensestones from the walls.
The desertion of the barbacan was an all-convincing proof of the verysmall number of the garrison; and though the immense thickness andsolidity of the walls bespoke time, patience, and control, the Englishearl never wavered from his purpose, and by his firmness, his personalgallantry, his readily-bestowed approbation on all who demanded it, hecontrived to keep his more impatient followers steadily to their task;while Nigel, to prevent the spirits of his men from sinking, wouldfrequently lead them forth at night, and by a sudden attack annoy andoften cut off many of the men stationed within the barbacan. Thedrawbridge was the precarious ground of many a midnight strife, till thedaring gallantry of Nigel Bruce became the theme of every tongue; agallantry equalled only by the consummate skill which he displayed, inretreating within his entrenchments frequently without the loss of asingle man either as killed or wounded. Often would Sir ChristopherSeaton, whose wounds still bound him a most unwilling prisoner to hiscouch, entreat him to avoid such rash exposures of his life, but Nigelonly answered him with a smile and an assurance he bore a charmed life,which the sword of the foe could not touch.
The siege had now lasted six weeks, and the position of both partiescontinued much as we have seen, save that the bed of the river had nowbegun to appear, promising a free passage to the English on the easternside, and on the south a broad causeway had stretched itself over themoat, on which the towers for defending the ascent of the walls,mangonels and other engines, were already safely bestowed, and allpromised fair to the besiegers, whose numerous forces scarcely appearedto have suffered any diminution, although in reality some hundreds hadfallen; while on the side of the besieged, although the walls were stillmost gallantly manned, and the first efforts of the English to scale thewalls had been rendered i
neffectual by huge stones hurled down uponthem, still a look of greater care was observable on the brows of bothofficers and men; and provisions had now begun to be doled out by weightand measure, for though the granaries still possessed stores sufficientfor some weeks longer, the apparent determination of the English topermit no relaxation in their close attack, demanded increase of cautionon the part of the besieged.
About this time an event occurred, which, though comparatively triflingin itself, when the lives of so many were concerned, was fraught ineffect with fatal consequences to all the inmates of Kildrummie. Theconversation of the next chapter, however, will better explain it, andto it we refer our readers.
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