English knight, for so I may surely call
myself, I am ready, with such skill as my experience has taught me, to lead them
to the attack of these walls.«
    The parts being thus distributed to the leaders, they commenced the first
assault, of which the reader has already heard the issue.
    When the barbican was carried, the Sable Knight sent notice of the happy
event to Locksley, requesting him, at the same time, to keep such a strict
observation on the castle as might prevent the defenders from combining their
force for a sudden sally, and recovering the outwork which they had lost. This
the knight was chiefly desirous of avoiding, conscious that the men whom he led,
being hasty and untrained volunteers, imperfectly armed and unaccustomed to
discipline, must, upon any sudden attack, fight at great disadvantage with the
veteran soldiers of the Norman knights, who were well provided with arms both
defensive and offensive; and who, to match the zeal and high spirit of the
besiegers, had all the confidence which arises from perfect discipline and the
habitual use of weapons.
    The knight employed the interval in causing to be constructed a sort of
floating bridge, or long raft, by means of which he hoped to cross the moat in
despite of the resistance of the enemy. This was a work of some time, which the
leaders the less regretted, as it gave Ulrica leisure to execute her plan of
diversion in their favour, whatever that might be.
    When the raft was completed, the Black Knight addressed the besiegers: - »It
avails not waiting here longer, my friends; the sun is descending to the west -
and I have that upon my hands which will not permit me to tarry with you another
day. Besides, it will be a marvel if the horsemen come not upon us from York,
unless we speedily accomplish our purpose. Wherefore, one of ye go to Locksley,
and bid him commence a discharge of arrows on the opposite side of the castle,
and move forward as if about to assault it; and you, true English hearts, stand
by me, and be ready to thrust the raft endlong over the moat whenever the
postern on our side is thrown open. Follow me boldly across, and aid me to burst
yon sallyport in the main wall of the castle. As many of you as like not this
service, or are but ill armed to meet it, do you man the top of the outwork,
draw your bow-strings to your ears, and mind you quell with your shot whatever
shall appear to man the rampart - Noble