Free The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli Page A

yeomen could tell that an arrow had struck home in the enemy’s camp. Most of the time there was only watchful waiting on both sides. The Welsh had a machine for catapulting stones, most of which thudded harmlessly into the courtyard. Sometimes one struck the inner wall, but most of them fell short, dropping into the moat.
    Inside the keep women occupied themselves with spinning, weaving, and embroidery. It helped the time to pass more quickly. The children played with toy soldiers and blocks, with hobbyhorses and with dolls. Sometimes Robin told them tales, or sang songs, but he spent most of the time in the chamber where he slept, working on the Saxon harp.
    William Wise had set up a workbench for him and had finished the tool of hardened iron. There was a small lathe for turning the keys and a vise all arranged so that Robin could sit on a stool to reach them. The tool for making the holes was sharp, so that part was not difficult.
    Just as John-go-in-the-Wynd had said, it was harderto turn the keys on the lathe so they would fit exactly. They were either too large and would not go in, or, when they had been turned smaller, they were too small and would not hold the strings in tune.
    But Robin was learning patience. He had found out that the harder it was to do something, the more comfortable he felt after he had done it.
    Sir Peter had stood all of one night on the bastion directing and encouraging the men. They had managed to drive off a raiding party that was trying to scale the wall. Now he was in bed with a chill, and Lady Constance waited upon him.
    The food in the larder dwindled, and there were many people to be fed. Besides the garrison and the household there were the yeomen from the town and those who had sought refuge when the portcullis was raised.
    Usually there was a good supply of salt fish kept in barrels, but fish had not been plentiful the past summer, so now the supply was meager. There was mutton, to be sure, but it was all on four legs and scattered over the downs beyond the castle and town. The winter kill had not taken place because they waited for freezing weather. There was flour to last for a short time, but the yearly portion from the peasants’ holdings was to have been brought to the castle the following week. Besides, there had been a small crop of grain because of the summer’s drought.
    Then the water began to fail. As Robin came into the Hall at suppertime he passed the table where the retainers sat. Denis leaned to whisper in the ear of Adam the Yeoman.
    “There is scarce a foot of water in the well,” he whispered. “just now as I drew it to fill this ewer the cook told me.”
    “How came this?” asked Adam. “ ’Tis known that thisis a good well. Tell not her ladyship, and send the word around that the water must be used sparingly, or ’twill not last the week out, even for drinking.” He thought a moment, then said,
    “Someone must go for help, or we shall be forced to surrender the castle. It might be that Sir Hugh Fitzhugh would come to our aid, for he, too, is in danger from the Welsh if they break our defense. But whom shall we spare? All are needed at their posts.”
    “Let me go,” said Robin. “I can go out the small door at the north whilst it is early morning. No one will suspect me. They think me a poor shepherd. I shall borrow a smock from William the Farrier’s son, and if I am seen, I shall appear stupid. We shall keep it secret, for if Sir Peter were to find out my plan he would forbid me to go, not knowing how strong I am.”
    “But thou’rt only a lad!” Adam objected, “and art cumbered with crutches as well. And how wilt thou cross the river? The bridge is well guarded at both ends.”
    “I shall go well, never fear,” Robin assured them confidently. “I have it all in my head how it shall be done. I shall find John-go-in-the-Wynd at his mother’s cottage in Tripheath village. John shall set forth from there for Sir Hugh and his men. Now, let