Rutter, casting his eyes earnestly towards the ramparts, bade his friend
note their disposition and defence. Her ladyship, as commander-in-chief,
to prevent any sudden assault, and likewise to awe the enemy by these
demonstrations, had disposed her soldiers in due order, so that they
should be seen, under their respective officers, from the main-guard in
the first court, down to the great hall, where they had left her
ladyship's council. The rest of her forces she had placed upon the
walls, and on the tops of the towers, in such manner that they might
appear both numerous and well-disciplined.
"She is in nothing so desirous," said Rutter, "as that you should waste
your strength and forces by a sudden assault, wherein you would not fail
to have the worst of the battle: the place being armed at all points, as
thou seest, and able to withstand any attack but that of famine."
A promise of secresy was exacted, when the wary chaplain pretended to
unfold her ladyship's plans. He said there was but little provision in
the place--that she was oppressed with the number of her soldiers--that
she would not be able to subsist more than fourteen days; and she hoped
to dare them to a sudden onset, not from her own confidence to give them
a repulse, but knowing that, should they continue the siege, she must
inevitably be forced to surrender.
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