The warder and his men were grouped together at the main gate, straining their eyes against the horizon, where the smoke of some cottages indicated the presence of the foe, when the palmer advanced and asked permission to assist them.

This was readily granted, and the recruits were soon supplied with defensive armor and the usual weapons.

The palmer wore his headpiece over his hood, and, with his breast-plate over his gown, which, tucked up with more than John Chandos' prudence, but half revealed the thigh-pieces beneath it, he was equally conspicuous and grotesque.
A body of mounted men could now be plainly seen rapidly advancing.

They no longer stayed to desolate the humble dwellings in their path, but swept on against the stately castle which seemed to bid them defiance.
The Lady Margaret was now among the soldiers, animating them to resistance.

Guided by the palmer, to whom the command had been tacitly yielded, the men were busily engaged in carrying large stones up to the battlements over the archway.
"Who are our assailants ?" asked the maiden, as with a firm step she mounted the wall.
The advancing troops rode up to the raised drawbridge, displaying as they came the picturesque costume and swarthy face of the Bohemian marauder.