That same night the proceedings at the earthwork were repeated under
cover of a strong guard, the greater portion of the little garrison
being engaged in repairing and strengthening the great earthen bank from
the inner side; and this was carried out till dawn without the slightest
interruption.
When the day broke, the reason for this was plain, for the enemy's
battery had been carefully repaired; and just at sunrise a troop of
horse was seen coming from the encampment of the main body of the force,
half a mile away. As they came nearer, it was made out why they
approached. For the troop was the escort of a couple of guns, each
drawn by six horses; and an hour later a fresh embrasure was unmasked,
and there were three guns ready to try and solve the problem unsolved on
the previous day.
"Shall we hoist up another gun, Ben?" said Roy; but the old fellow shook
his head.
"No, sir; I don't see any good in it. You know it's just a chance about
hitting, and though they keep touching us, what good do they do? They
may hammer away at the gate tower till they've half knocked it down, and
it'll take 'em about a month to do it. And what better will they be
then? They won't stand an inch nearer to getting in than they do
to-day. Let 'em fire. You give 'em a shot now and then to tell 'em
you're at home. Don't you waste more good ammunition than you can
help."
Roy took his lieutenant's advice; and for a week the siege went on with
the accompaniment of demonstrations of cavalry round the castle, and
approaches by night, all of which kept the little garrison well on the
alert, but did not advance the reduction of the stronghold in the least.
Sam Donny's wound progressed favourably; but the hospital-room was
occupied as well by three more men, all suffering from cuts and
contusions, caused by the flying chips of stones when a ball struck the
edges of the crenelles.
The routine of the defenders was becoming monotonous, mounting guard,
firing a little, and drilling a great deal; for Ben gave the men no rest
in the way of practising them in the management of their weapons.
The result was that the condition of the garrison improved day by day,
while Lady Royland grew more hopeful as she listened to her son's words.
"It can't last much longer, mother. Either they'll get tired of trying
to drive us out, or some of the king's forces will come and relieve us."