As you see we have collected some ladders,
and as we shall take them by surprise, while they are occupied with
the king, we shall give a good account of them."
"I will go with you right willingly," Malcolm said; but he could
not but feel that the enterprise was a desperate one, and wished
that the major had waited until a few hundred more men had crossed.
Placing himself behind the Scottish officer, he advanced up the
passage which had been discovered. Ascending flight after flight of
stone stairs, the column issued from the passage at the very foot
of the outer wall before the garrison stationed there were aware
of their approach. The ladders were just placed when the Italians
caught sight of them and rushed to the defence, but it was too
late. The Scotch swarmed up and gained a footing on the wall.
Driving the enemy before them they cleared the outer works, and
pressed so hotly upon the retiring Imperialists that they entered
with them into the inner works of the castle, crossing the drawbridge
over the moat which separated it from its outer works before the
garrison had time to raise it.
Now in the very heart of the castle a terrible encounter took place.
The garrison, twelve hundred strong, ran down from their places on
the wall, and seeing how small was the force that had entered fell
upon them with fury. It was a hand to hand fight.
Pages:
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191