"Then as I have no doubt that there are plenty of flour sacks, we
must fill these with earth and pack them between the bridge and
the portcullis, and fasten the bridge in its place with any chains
that may be available, so that it will keep erect. The earth packing,
however much it may be battered, will protect the portcullis of
the gate for some time against their fire."

"It is a good idea if we have time to carry it out, colonel. We
have still four or five hours' daylight, and as I think that this
is of even greater importance than the side walls, we will set the
tenants to work at once, and it will save time if they take down
the sacks, of which, as you say, we have an abundance."

A few minutes later a dozen active boys left the castle, and
scattered to various points on the hills around, so as to command
a view over a considerable extent of country. Soon after, some
thirty carts went down the road accompanied by a number of men
with shovels, and twenty of the garrison commanded by one of the
old soldiers. All returned loaded with sacks of earth; these were
taken into the castle, when the portcullis was lowered and the
drawbridge across the fosse raised. An opening was left on the top
to allow the sacks to be lowered into the space between the bridge
and the portcullis. A score of men with ropes went on to the wall
above and lowered them behind the drawbridge, where five or six men
stowed them away. As soon as it became dark torches were lighted,
and by ten o'clock a solid mass of sacks filled with earth were
packed in the space between the portcullis and the drawbridge.

The night passed off quietly, the horses and carts remaining
beyond the fosse. Planks had been placed across one end of this,