Seizing the two pieces of ordnance, they dragged them into the court, their own retreat being covered by the guns in the gate-towers.
Not a single man was lost on the occasion.
Hitherto, the Royalists had been uniformly successful, and had baffled all the attempts of the enemy, generally inflicting severe loss upon them.
But it was felt that these constant defeats would only make the besiegers more determined, and that their efforts to take the mansion would be redoubled.
The besieged had no fear of such a result, but to prevent it the utmost vigilance and activity were required.
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XVII
Of the Preparations made for a Grand Sortie
BY this time the works of the besiegers had made great progress. Bulwarks had been cast up, but as yet all the batteries had not been mounted with cannon.
It was also certain that a mine had been commenced, which it was intended should pass under the moat, either for the purpose of blowing up some of the towers, or cutting off the water.
As the deep well from which the garrison was abundantly supplied was situated in the very centre of the castle, it would necessarily take the miners some time to reach it, and it was resolved to sink a countermine to meet them as soon as their course could be discovered.
Engineers were, therefore, posted in various places to listen for any sounds that might guide them in their task.
Notwithstanding all these disquieting circumstances the courage of the countess remained unshaken, and, indeed, rose higher than ever. Nor was uneasiness manifested by any one in the mansion. Even those not engaged in its defence were full of ardour.
But the person most interested in the siege was Gertrude. As we have shown, she took an active part in the defence of the house—carried messages and orders—mounted ramparts and towers—and watched the cannonier when he pointed his gun, and would have done more if she had been permitted. Her great desire was to attend a sortie, and she would have accompanied the first expedition habited in male attire, if the countess would have allowed her.
With this recklessness, she now passed hours in the postern-tower, accounted the most dangerous part of the castle, being most exposed to a sudden assault of the enemy. Here she could watch the progress of their fortifications, and could count the sakers, the periers, the minions, and falconets on their batteries.
One morning while engaged in her survey she perceived that the besiegers had begun a new fort on which they were most diligently employed.
Fixed on the summit of a rising ground at a short distance on the south-west, it commanded the whole of the mansion; but the position being too high for cannon, it was evident the battery was intended for a mortar, or a bombard, The sconce was circular, and surrounded by a rampart, which, as yet, was unfinished.
On making this discovery, Gertrude hastened to the countess, but her ladyship had already been informed of the new fort by Major Farrington and Standish, and had given orders that it should be destroyed, if possible.
Accordingly the cannoniers had just opened fire, and having killed two of the men, and driven away the rest, were knocking down the ramparts.
“We may check the work for a time,” said Standish. “But it is certain it will be resumed on the first opportunity.”
“No doubt the sconce is designed for the large mortar, with which we have been threatened,” observed Major Farrington.
“The monster shall be silenced as soon as he begins to roar,” said Standish. “Meantime, we must make another sortie, and destroy the works. The enemy have been too long unmolested, and have grown insolent.”
“I approve of your design,” said the countess. “But this time, you must take a large party with you, and do the work effectually. How say you, sir?” she added, to Major Farrington. “I think half the garrison should go forth on this occasion.”
“I am quite of your ladyship’s opinion,” replied Farrington. “We must inflict a blow upon them, calculated to shake their overweening confidence.”
“True,” rejoined the countess. “The near approach of those forts and batteries is unpleasant to me. You must give Captain Standish the command of this expedition.”