CHAPTER V
Although the men of the garrison had no expectation of retaking the ground occupied by the besiegers, they did not let them remain there unmolested. As soon as daylight enabled the ballistæ to be aimed, they rained projectiles from the walls upon all parts of the intrenchment—now and then finding a weak point through which a stone would penetrate and do damage. These breaches were at once repaired by the besiegers, but it was necessary to come out of their shelter in order to do this work, and as soon as any men were exposed, the archers of the castle were alert. In this way the Count lost not a few of his force, and, as the Friar had predicted, there was much dissatisfaction at the slow progress of the siege. The hired soldiers had hoped that the castle would be taken in a few days, but time was passing without bringing the besiegers materially nearer to their object.
The Count consulted Luke the Lurdane, who strongly advised employing every available man in one way or another. "The garrison has not many
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