In the Court of King Arthur

by Samuel E. Lowe

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  In King Mark's Castle

  So we return to the doughty few who are behind the walls of the greatcastle.

  "We shall wear out these impudent knaves," King Mark had said afterthe first great surprise. "Surely they cannot expect to hold out forany great length of time."

  "Aye," had agreed the ever present Pendore and Bertram. "And whenthey are overcome," Sir Pendore had added darkly, "then shall we findour day has come. For Launcelot shall surely suffer."

  But the days went and the besiegers found a far greater and morestubborn resistance than they had expected. Their losses were many,due to the skillful archery of the few within. King Mark's castle wasof the kind that could only be assailed at two points which was initself great help to the besieged.

  If, perchance, the men of King Mark had had greater stomach for theattack, things might have gone ill with those within. But there weremany of the men of this king who favored but little the quarrel withthe besieged, counting it, in their own hearts, a scurvy action on thepart of Cornwall's king. And men fight poorly who have such thoughts.

  Not that all was well with those within. On this, the eighth day oftheir occupancy of the castle, the men were a haggard lot. Littlesleep had they. Some of them had been wounded, wonder it was thatthese were so few and that none were dead. Sir Neil was lost to themfor the time, Wonkin, too had fought heroically but had fallen, sorelywounded in an attack. Three others had been hurt, and for every manwho fell, there grew the greater burden on those who were left.Constant watch, constant need for being present to repel the attackershad left the mark of weariness on Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram and SirPercival. Yet these three were a host in themselves as they, withGouvernail and Walker, set an inspiring example to the rest.

  "Faith," said Sir Percival at this moment, "I cannot say that I wouldnot welcome the arrival of Arthur and our men."

  "I had never thought sleep so great a luxury," rejoined Sir Tristram.

  "Nor I," added Sir Launcelot. "However, do you both take such littleof that now as those knaves who are on the outside permit."

  But this neither of the two had in mind to do. Yet Sir Launcelotinsisted and only had his way when he promised that he would also taketime for sleep after them.

  They had, so it seemed to them, but barely fallen asleep, when therewas great outcry from both within and without the gates. The men ofKing Mark had evidently decided on a determined attack with fullintention to overcome the stubborn few. In a great mass they came andthough many fell and every arrow told yet were they not to be denied.And as they came close to the walls King Mark's men opened wide theirranks and a score of men were seen carrying a bridge to throw over inplace of the drawbridge which they could not reach.

  "Now has it grown right serious," said Sir Launcelot.

  "Will you Percival hold these walls while Tristram, I, Gouvernail andWalker, make every effort to see that the bridge does not stay."

  There was no time for further words. The four quickly made for thegates. They opened and closed them quickly. Each held a stave thatseemed not unlike a young tree, of which a number were inside thegates.

  "Let them place the bridge first," said Sir Launcelot.

  Upon them a hail of arrows fell but none were hurt. Gouvernail andWalker were protected for the time in both coats and helmets of steelwhich Sir Tristram had made them wear.

  Now the men of King Mark had thrown the bridge over the embankment.But as the first of them rushed upon it the thick staves of the fourmen did their work well. Mighty work it was but it was questionwhether there were four men in all of England who had greater strengththan these. And so as the men came rushing over, the bridge seemedmoving with them.

  A great outcry came from them. The new made bridge, moving slowly atfirst, now cleared its support, and fell into the depths belowcarrying twenty men with it. Some managed to get back to safety, some,almost as unfortunate as those who had fallen with the bridge, madetheir way to the castleside. These Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot andthe two yeomen easily overcame.

  From the walls a hail of arrows, stones and javelins were sent on theattackers. The four outside the walls, their work accomplished,returned within. But King Mark and his two lieutenants, of whom onehad been on the bridge, were now not the less determined to carry thewalls.

  The besiegers at the furthermost points were seen to clamber over thewalls. They were battering at the gates at which Sir Tristram, SirLauncelot and a number of the men had taken their stand.

  Things indeed looked dark for those within. Sir Percival, for one, hadbeen grievously wounded in the last affray.

  But the gates made to withstand against attack held well.

  Yet it was now a mere question of time. This, both those within andwithout fully realized.

  "Unless our two messengers find King Arthur," said Sir Tristram calmlyand unhurriedly, "it matters but little whether we fight our way outnow or later. Is it not so?"

  "I have faith in the coming of the king," said Sir Launcelot. "Forthe boy Allan, I know to be tireless in the performance of such duty.And if I mistake not the other will try his utmost too, for he seeksto be dubbed a knight by our king."

  So now down at the gates, now on the walls, sending death anddestruction upon the attackers the two knights held their own,fighting hopefully, unyieldingly, hour after hour.

  There was a cry of joy now, of exultation from Gouvernail. For hiseagle eye espied in the distance a horse and rider, then other horsesand other riders.

  The faint notes of the slughorn came to their ears. The men on theoutside ceased their attack for the moment watching wonderingly, notguessing as yet what all this meant.

  From his bed of pain, not far off, Sir Percival called to the twoknights.

  "Is it Arthur who comes?"

  "Methinks so. Yet it seems I see the banners of Scotland. Whether itis men of Cadoris or of Arthur, of what matter?"

  "Aye, Launcelot, Scotland is there. But yonder figure is Arthur." Sospoke Tristram.

  "There too, is Gawaine and Pellimore. And there the boy, Allan. Seeyou him?"

  Sir Tristram nodded assent.

  Now Mark and his men gathered close together. The king and Sir Pendoreand Sir Bertram were in close converse.

  Up to the walls came the rescuing party. King Arthur in frontfrowning, mighty, a majestic figure who seemed to breathe fire andfury.

  "What does this mean, Mark? What scurvy trick have you now tried?"

  "I found these men within holding my own castle when I returned from ashort journey. What else could I do but try to oust them?"

  "I know better. If any harm, if but one of my knights is hurt, I shallmake you pay right fully."

  Now the gates opened wide. There stood Sir Launcelot, and SirTristram, both supporting Sir Percival. Into the castle rode KingArthur and King Cadoris.

  "Have you been hurt? Who else is wounded? Are any dead?" These werethe questions of the king.

  So Sir Launcelot told him. And now when the king found that none weredead and he realized how many men Mark had lost, good humor again cameto him. His eyes twinkled merrily.

  "Shall we hang this scurvy king?" he asked.

  "If you will, sire," said Sir Tristram. "I fancy he has suffered muchby now. And since he is uncle of mine I beg of you treat him moregently than he deserves. Let us rather laugh at him. True, there aresome of us who have been wounded, but none fatally."

  "And after all," said Sir Percival, "see how _much_ we canlaugh?"

  Sir Launcelot too nodded in agreement.

  "In truth," King Arthur agreed, "I have found no fancy to act ashangman to him. For knave and villain though he is, yet is he still aking. What say you Cadoris?"

  "It is no brew of mine, good Arthur. Yet were I he and you had suchgood cause to laugh at me, I wonder if I would not rather hang."

  So King Arthur turned to King Mark. Laughter was in his eye, mockinglaughter. About him the others gathered and these, too, seemedlaughing at him.


  "I offer you advice, Mark, which so it seems to me, you would do wellto heed. Keep not your doors so wide open hereafter. Knaves like theseare too apt to accept such hospitality. And, good Mark, when next yougo a hunting, I fancy, you had best hunt at home. It is safer and forone thing you are sure to have it. 'Tis a sad state for you to findthese men making themselves at home while you are away on so peacefula mission. 'Tis a sad pity and should not be permitted."

  "Tis sad,'tis sad," said the men about King Arthur.

  King Mark scowled in fury. And somehow, it seemed, he scowled most athis own nephew, Tristram.