Brave Dame Mary (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ...but to kill without mercy men, women, and children when they succeeded in getting into the castle; nor did he tell them that they were assured by Sir Walter Erle that half of the besieged soldiers within the castle were traitors; but he and his mother and Captain Bond held an anxious conference that night, for if that news were true their position was indeed perilous. "Have you directed that Simon should be strictly watched?" said Lady Bankes. "I have," returned Captain Bond; "you need not be afraid on that score, madam; he has seen his wife and children, and is so filled with gratitude that I think he is yours henceforward. His.wife would scarcely speak to him at first, and then could only reproach him. He is, I verily believe, repentant, and indeed, to prove his sincerity, he has offered to go out with his eldest boy and drive in some of the oxen which are browsing on the hills towards Wareham." "That would be too hazardous," said Lady Bankes; "I will not have even Simon's life wantonly wasted. He could never drive the cattle up the steep hill on the north side, nor would he attempt the task of doing so over the drawbridge in the very face of the enemy." "We must get supplies in some way," said Philip; "and though it is without doubt a hazardous attempt, it is not impossible. Very lax guard is kept at present. It is true that they have sentries posted on the hills, but they are not very vigilant, I fancy." "At any rate," said Captain Bond, "Simon is not risking his life more in making this attempt than he would be if he helped the soldiers to defend the castle. He will wait for a cloudy night, and with his son and another man or two, if he can get any...