He sprang from his hiding and crept
toward the place. A window had been broken in and the fight had
already begun. The monks were well equipped for battle with weapon,
strength and stout hearts and a good stone wall for shelter, but their
numbers were weak.
The siege was destined to be a long and bloody one, unless the
ponderous door could be broken, for the mob could not enter fast
enough through the small casement. Should this be done, it was evident
the monks would be obliged to either take flight, surrender or be
foully murdered.
Buckingham could not enter the window without taking part in the
fight, and mayhap run a great risk to his person.
He was not long in discovering, however, that the doorway was being
bombarded successfully, and soon the massive door must succumb.
At last there was a thundering crash, and broken oak panels flew
through the air.
The men rushed in. Buckingham in a moment was in their midst and
fighting his way through them. He flung himself aside and escaped the
fighting mass by a small door that led him to a passage, where he
regained his breath and looked out for his bearings.
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