In the midst of a guard of men-at-arms, Geoffrey, well-nigh bewildered by the sudden change of his fortunes, felt himself hurried from the walls and through the narrow streets. Even as he went he heard the air torn by the thunderous discharge of the bombards, while ever and anon a huge stone shot, glancing from the battlements, would hurtle overhead and bury itself in the midst of the crowded houses of the town.
All that night the squire remained awake in his place of detention, listening to the rumble of the ordnance. Yet though the bombardment was continuous, there were no signs of an actual assault being delivered, and at dawn the cannonade ceased.
Three more days passed, yet beyond a desultory discharge of artillery hostilities seemed to be suspended, then to the squire's inexpressible joy he heard the steady tramp of feet and shouts of exultation uttered by hundreds of lusty English voices.
Ere he could realize that Harfleur had indeed fallen, the door of his prison was thrown open, and Sir Thomas Carberry, attended by Oswald, Ratcliffe, Gripwell, and several of the men-at-arms of Warblington, flocked into the room.
Unable to utter a sound, Geoffrey grasped the knight's hands, while his overjoyed comrades almost overwhelmed him with anxious questions and hearty congratulations.
Thus a second time did Geoffrey Lysle taste the joys of freedom.
CHAPTER XXII
THE MARCH OF THE FORLORN SEVEN THOUSAND
It will now be necessary to relate the final incidents of the siege of Harfleur, after Geoffrey had been removed from the shadow of the gallows.
All that night a heavy cannonade was directed against the doomed town in order to prepare the way for the grand assault. But ere the latter was delivered the Lord of Gaucourt sent a herald to the King of England offering to capitulate within three days unless the town should be succoured before the expiration of that term.