ach rope had a loop
at the bottom in which one foot was placed, and knots were tied in
order to give a better grasp for the hands. They were lowered at a short
distance from the spot at which the machine was at work; all were armed
with axes, and they made their way unperceived until within a few yards
of the wagon. Then there was a cry of alarm, and in a moment they rushed
forward among the enemy. The men working the machine were instantly cut
down, and Walter and his party fell upon the machine, cutting the
ropes and smashing the wheels and pulleys and hewing away at the timber
itself. In a minute or two, however, they were attacked by the enemy,
the officer in command having bade a hundred men lie down to sleep close
behind the machine in case the garrison should attempt a sortie. Walter
called upon Ralph and four of the men-at-arms to stand beside him while
the others continued their work of destruction. The French came up in a
tumultuous body, but, standing so far apart that they could wield their
axes, the English dealt such destruction among their first assailants
that these for a time recoiled. As fresh numbers came up, encouraged
by their leader they renewed the attack, and in spite of the most
tremendous efforts Walter and his party were driven back. By this time,
however, so much damage had been done to the machine that it would be
some hours before it could be repaired, even if spare ropes and other
appliances had been brought with it from Amiens; so that, reinforced by
the working party, Walter was again able to hold his ground and after
repulsing a fresh onslaught of the enemy he gave the word for his men to
retire at full speed.

The French were so surprised by the sudden disappearance of their foes
that it was a moment or two before they started in pursuit, and Walter
and his men had gained some thirty yards before the pursuit really
commenced.

The night was a dark one, and they considerably increased this advantage
before they reach the foot of the wall, where the ropes were hanging.

"Has each of you found his rope?" Walter asked.

As soon as an affirmative answer was given he placed his foot in the
loop and shouted to the men above to draw up, and before the enraged
enemy could reach the spot the whole party were already some yards above
their heads. The archers opened fire upon the French, doing, in spite of
the darkness, considerable execution, for the men had snatched up their
arms at the sudd