The piping times of peace had caused carelessness, and this gate had been so neglected that Purlrose and his men had had no difficulty in levering it off the pivots, and gaining an entrance.
Sir Edward was determined not to be caught sleeping again, for sentinels had been posted, and various means taken for strengthening the place.
As for the damage to the great doors of the hall, these had already been covered with stout boarding, and missiles in the shape of heavy stones and pigs of lead were piled up on the platform of each tower.
Under Dan Rugg's supervision, arquebuses had been cleaned and placed ready for use, and a couple of small cannon trained where they could sweep the approach to the bridge, and in turn the gateways leading into the outer and inner courts.
Sir Edward expressed himself as being highly pleased with his son's success; and, treating him in this emergency as if he were a man, he joined him in the little council of war that was held with Dan Rugg.

In this the best way of proceeding was discussed, and it was determined that instead of waiting for the darkness, the attacking party should set off early in the evening.
For old Dan had said: "It's no use to think of trying to surprise them now, master; they'll be well on the look out for us, and have men ready.
Means a sharp bit of fighting to get up to the hole yonder, but once we get there, the powder will fight for us." "You mean to fire some at the entrance ?" said Mark.
"Ay, Master Mark; that's it, and then send another bag in before us, and fire that, and go on doing it till we've either blasted 'em all out of the place or made 'em so sick and sorry that they'll cry surrender." The hours glided by, as it seemed to Mark, very slowly, till the time appointed for starting approached; and, after a final glance at Ralph, he was coming down, when Master Rayburn followed him.
"I should like to come with you, Mark, my boy," he said gravely, "but my place is here.

Heaven grant that you may be successful; and if you are," he said meaningly, "there will be peace in our vale." Mark pressed his hand, buckled on his sword, and went down into the yard to join his father, who was giving final instructions to the wounded men about keeping the gates fast during their absence, not that an attack was expected, but "to make assurance doubly sure." While he was giving his last instructions, Dummy came running over the bridge, and trotted up to Sir Edward.
"Well, boy, could you see anything ?" "Yes," replied Dummy, with a sharp nod of the head.

"You can see two, if you go far enough, one on each side of the hill, keeping a look out." "Did they see you ?" "Nay, I was a-creeping among the bushes." "Then it is of no use to try and get up unobserved, Mark," said Sir Edward, quietly.

"It must be a bold open attack." He turned and said a few words to Sir Morton Darley's men, Nick and the rest, after having had their injuries tended, and a few hours' rest and refreshment, looking far better prepared for the encounter, and falling into their places with sullen determination.
Mark, at a word from his father, marched up alongside of Nick Garth, who gave him a surly nod, and seemed to be about to speak, but checked himself, and then let his curiosity master him.
"What ha' they got in them baskets ?" he said, nodding to a couple strung from poles, and each hanging from two men's shoulders, "bread and cheese ?" "No: blasting-powder." "Eh?
What for ?" said the man, staring.
"Blow out the cavern," said Mark quietly.
The man uttered a low long whistle, and then a grim smile covered his face.
"Hah!" he whispered, "that does a man good, young Eden! I was coming, and I meant to fight till I dropped; but after what we tried to do, I knew they'd be too many for us; but I begin to see my way now." "Yes, they don't like the powder," said Mark.