Sir John Powis took charge of a part of the walls, and busied himself with his men in placing the machines in position, and in preparing for defence.

The countess, attired in armour, rode through the streets haranguing the townspeople.

She urged the men to fight till the last, and bade the women and girls cut short their dresses so that they could the better climb the steps to the top of the walls, and that one and all should carry up stones, chalk, and baskets of lime to be cast down upon the assailants.

Animated by her words and gestures, the townspeople set to work, and all vied with each other, from the oldest to the youngest, in carrying up stores of missiles to the walls.

Never did Hennebon present such a scene of life and bustle.
It seemed like an ant-hill which a passer-by has disturbed.
Absorbed in their work, none had time to think of the dangers which threatened them, and a stranger would rather have thought from their cheerful and animated countenances that they were preparing for a great fete than for a siege by an army to which the two chief towns in Brittany had succumbed.
Ere long the French army was seen approaching.