As fast as one fell another took his place.

The breach in front of them was cumbered with dead and red with blood.

Still the French poured upwards in a wave, and the sheer weight of their numbers and the fatigue caused by the tremendous exertions the defenders were making began to tell.

Step by step the English were driven back, and Walter saw that the defence could not much longer be continued.

He bade one of his men-at-arms at once order the archers to cease firing, and, leaving the walls, to take refuge in the keep, and thence to open fire upon the French as they poured through the breach.
When he found that this movement had been accomplished Walter bade the men-at-arms fall back gradually.