“They bid me tell you to surrender. What do you say?”
“Let ’em come and make us. God save her ladyship and the king!”
“Hurrah!” came rolling back from nearly a dozen lusty throats, and was followed by a shout from Ben.
“Get back, Master Roy; we’re going to fire.”
“Then fire,” cried Roy. “Never mind me now.”
Another cheer followed this; and there was a rattling noise which Roy interpreted, for he knew that the men in the guard-room had seized the pikes from the rack, and that a bristling hedge of steel was being formed in the door-way.
Just then the officer in command stepped forward.
“Silence there!” he cried, in a loud clear voice. “Listen to me, my men. The castle is taken, and I have four hundred men here. You are the only defenders left.—Sergeant Martlet, I suppose you are an old soldier, and if so, you know this boy’s words are madness. Enough men have perished, and I should be sorry to add your party to those who have made so brave a defence. Come, you have all done your duty, and your case is hopeless; surrender, and you shall suffer no harm.”
“When my captain tells me—not before.”
“Well spoken, and like a brave man,” said the officer; and he turned to Roy.