Now presently as they fought thus, because the breach was grown very slippery, Beltane tripped and fell, but in that instant two lusty mailed legs bestrode him, and from the dimness above Roger's voice hailed:
"Get thee back, master—I pray thee get back and take thy rest awhile, my arm is fresh and my steel scarce blooded, so get thee to thy rest— moreover thou art a notch, lord—another accursed notch from my belt!"
Wherefore Beltane presently crept down from the breach and thus beheld many men who laboured amain beneath Sir Benedict's watchful eye to build a defence work very high and strong where they might command the breach. And as Beltane sat thus, finding himself very spent and weary, cometh Giles beside him.
"Lord," said he, leaning him on his bow, "the attack doth languish, methinks, wherefore I do praise the good God, for had they won the town—ah, when I do think on—her—she that is so pure and sweet—and Ivo's base soldiery—O sweet Jesu!" and Giles shivered.
"Forsooth, thou didst see fair Belsaye sacked—five years agone,
Giles?"
"Aye, God forgive me master, for I—I—O, God forgive me!"
"Thou once did show me a goodly chain, I mind me, Giles."
"Aye, but I lost it—I lost it, master!" he cried eagerly, "O verily I did lose it, so did it avail me nothing."
"Moreover, Giles, thou didst with knowing laugh, vaunt that the women of Belsaye town were marvellous fair—and methinks didst speak truly, Giles!"
Now at this Giles bowed his head and turning him about, went heavily upon his way. Then, sighing, Beltane arose and came where stood Sir Benedict who forthwith hailed him blithely: