The leaders, provoked beyond measure, speedily assembled in council.
Egerton, who had the most influence, from the beginning had urged milder
measures, thinking to starve the enemy into submission; but Morgan,
Rigby, and some others were now red-hot for mischief, smarting from
their late ridiculous disaster.
"And what have we gotten by delay?" said Rigby; "we have wearied our
soldiers, wasted our powder, and emptied our purses; and this proud dame
still beats and baffles us, casting her gibes in our very teeth which we
deserve to lose for our pains."
"Take thine own course, then," said Egerton, mildly. "We are brethren,
serving one cause only; the which, being best served, is best won."
"Then be to-morrow ours," said Morgan, with his usual heat and
impatience. "We will burn them up like a heap of dry faggots. The house,
though well fenced against our shot, hath yet much inward building of
wood, and you shall see a pretty bonfire kindled by my bomb-shells--a
roaring blaze that shall ride on the welkin between here and Beeston
Castle!"
"Whilst thou art plying thy vocation we will scale the walls, and the
sword shall slay what the fire hath failed to devour," said Rigby.
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