No, their leader has changed his mind, they are taking the planks along the edge of the moat towards the tower on the left, and will aid the assault by its bridge by a passage of the moat there." It seemed, indeed, that this was the plan.

While some of the assailants kept up the arrow fire on the wall others mounted the tower, while a party prepared to throw a bridge of planks across the moat.

The bridge from the tower was now lowered; but a shout of triumph rose from the defenders when it was seen that by some mistake of the carpenters this was too short, and when lowered did not reach within six feet of the wall.
"All the better," the king said, while the prince gave an angry exclamation.

"Accidents of this kind will happen, and give an opportunity to a leader to show his resources.

Doubtless he will carry planks up to the tower and so connect the bridge and the wall." This, indeed, was what the assailants tried to do, while a party threw planks across the moat, and rushing over placed ladders against the wall and strove to climb.