their hold and it fell, so that he drew it in. We were but a few
feet above the water, and the well rope hung down into the
blackness before us, but I was sure that no man could see the
little doorway of the chamber from above, for the trapdoor in the
well cover was small, and light there was hardly any.

"Now all is safe," said the prior; "and we may be careless again."

"They will burn the monastery," I said. "One torch has been thrown
already."

He smiled a little, as I thought, for my eyes were growing used to
the dim light.

"They may burn some things, but roof and benches are soon made
afresh. There is oaken timber in plenty in Andredsweald, and ready
hands to hew it. Our stone walls they cannot hurt."

Those were all the words we spoke of the matter at that time, for
there came a great shouting. One of the gates had fallen at last,
and the Danes were in the place.

"Father," said the sacristan, "surely they will find this place?"

The prior laughed a short laugh.

"That is a thought born of your fears, Brother," he answered; and I
who had had the same fear was rebuked also, for indeed that I
should go down the well had never come into my mind, even in our
need of shelter, so why should the Danes think of it?