k gradually. A gap had been left in the wooden fence
sufficient for one at a time to pass, and through this the men-at-arms
retired one by one to the keep until only Walter and five others were
left. With these Walter flung himself suddenly upon the assailants and
forced them a few feet down the slope. Then he gave the word, and all
sprang back, and leaping down from the wall into the courtyard ran
through the barrier, Walter and Ralph being the last to pass as the
French with exulting shouts leapt down from the breach. There was
another fierce fight at the barrier. Walter left Ralph to defend this
with a few men-at-arms while he saw that all was in readiness for
closing the door rapidly in the keep. Then he ran back again. He was but
just in time. Ralph indeed could for a long time have held the narrow
passage, but the barriers themselves were yielding. The French were
pouring in through the breach, and as those behind could not see the
nature of the obstacle which arrested the advance of their companions
they continued to push forward, and by their weight pressed those in
front against the spikes in the barrier. Many perished miserably on
these. Others, whose armour protected them from this fate, were crushed
to death by the pressure; but this was now so great that the timbers
were yielding. Walter, seeing that in another moment they would be
levelled, gave the word, sprang back with Ralph and his party, and
entered the keep just as with a crash the barrier fell and the French
poured in a crowd into the courtyard. Bolting the door the defenders of
the keep piled against it the stones which had been laid in readiness.

The door was on the first floor, and was approached by a narrow flight
of stone steps, up which but two abreast could advance. In their first
fury the French poured up these steps, but from the loopholes which
commanded it the English bowmen shot so hard that their arrows pierced
the strongest armour. Smitten through vizor and armour, numbers of the
bravest of the assailants fell dead. Those who gained the top of the
steps were assailed by showers of boiling oil from an upper chamber
which projected over the door, and whose floor was pierced for this
purpose, while from the top of the keep showers of stones were poured
down. After losing great numbers in this desperate effort at assault the
French drew off for a while, while their leaders held council as to the
best measures to be taken for the capture of