The contrast between these wild figures and the disciplined veterans of Rome, whom he had so often watched as they performed their exercises, was striking indeed. Far inferior in height and muscular power to the tribesmen, the legionaries bore themselves with a proud consciousness in their fighting power that alone went a long way towards giving them victory. Each man trusted not only in himself, but on his fellows, and believed that the legion to which he belonged was invincible10. Their regular arms, their broad shields and helmets, all added to their appearance, while their massive formation, as they stood shoulder to shoulder, shield touching11 shield, seemed as if it could defy the utmost efforts of undisciplined valour. However, Beric thought with pride that his own tribe, the sixteen hundred men he had for six weeks been training incessantly12, would be a match even for the Roman veterans. Their inferiority in the discipline that was carried to such perfection among the Romans would be atoned13 for by their superior strength and activity. His only fear was, that in the excitement of battle they would forget their teaching, and, breaking their ranks, fight every man for himself. He had, however, spared no pains in impressing upon them that to do this would be to throw away all that they had learned.
"I have not taught you to fight in Roman fashion," he said, "merely that you might march in regular order and astonish the other tribesmen, but that you should be cool and collected, should be able patiently to stand the shock of the Roman legion, and to fight, not as scattered15 units, but as a solid whole. You will do well to bear this in mind, for to those who disobey orders and break the line when engaged with the foe16 I will show no mercy. My orders will be given to each sergeant17 of ten men to run a spear through any man who stirs from his post, whether in advance or in retreat, whether to slay18 or to plunder19. The time may come when the safety of the whole army depends upon your standing20 like a wall between them and the Romans, and the man who advances from his place in the ranks will, as much as the man who retreats, endanger the safety of all."
Over and over again had he impressed this lesson upon them. Sometimes he had divided them in two parts, and engaged in mimic21 fight. The larger half, representing the tribesmen, advanced in their ordinary fashion with loud shouts and cries, while the smaller section maintained their solid formation, and with levelled spears, five deep, waited the attack. Even those who were least impressed with the advantages of the exercises through which they had been going, could not but feel how immensely superior was the solid order, and how impossible would it have been for assailants to burst through the hedge of pointed22 weapons.
By sunset well nigh thirty thousand men had arrived, each subtribe passing through the village and taking up its post on the slopes around it, where they were at once supplied with food by the women.
With the fighting men were large numbers of women, for these generally accompanied the Britons on their warlike expeditions. Just at sunset a shout arose from the tribesmen on the north side of the village, and Boadicea, with her daughters and chief councillors, drove into the village. Her mien23 was proud and lofty. She carried a spear in her hand and a sword in her girdle. She had resumed her royal ornaments24, and a fillet of gold surrounded her head. Her garments were belted in with a broad girdle of the same metal, and she wore heavy gold armlets and bracelets25. She looked with pride upon the tribesmen who thronged26 shouting to greet her, and exclaimed as she leapt from her chariot, "The day of vengeance27 is at hand."
The fires blazed high all that night round Cardun. Numbers of bards28 had accompanied the tribes, as not only had those who lived in the households of the principal chiefs come in, but many had been attracted from the country lying near their borders. At every fire, therefore, songs were sung and tales told of the valour and glory of the heroes of old. Mingled29 with these were laments30 over the evil days that had befallen Britain, and exhortations31 to their hearers to avenge32 the past and prove themselves worthy33 of their ancestors.
In similar manner the night was passed in Parta's hall. Here the chief bards were assembled, with all the tribal34 leaders, and vied with each other in their stirring chants. Beric moved about among the guests, seeing that their wants were supplied, while Parta herself looked after those who were gathered on the dais. Beric learned from the old chief Aska, who had first spoken to him on the day of their arrival at the sacred oak, that all Britain was ripe for the rising, and that messengers had been received not only from the Brigantes, but from many of the southern and western tribes, with assurances that they would rise as soon as they heard that the Iceni had struck the first blow.
"The Trinobantes will join us at Camalodunum. All goes well. Suetonius, with the legions, is still in the far west. We shall make an end of them here before he can return. By that time we shall have been joined by most of the tribes, and shall have a force that will be sufficient to destroy utterly36 the army he is leading. That done, there will be but the isolated37 forts to capture and destroy, and then Britain will be free from the invader38. You think this will be so, Beric?"
"I hope and trust so," Beric replied. "I think that success in our first undertakings39 is a certainty, and I trust we may defeat Suetonius. With such numbers as we shall put in the field we ought surely to be able to do so. It is not of the present I think so much as of the future. Rome never submits to defeat, and will send an army here to which that of Suetonius would be but a handful. But if we remain united, and utilize40 the months that must elapse before the Romans can arrive in preparing for the conflict, we ought to be victorious41."
"You feel sure that the Romans will try to reconquer Britain?"
"Quite sure. In all their history there is not an instance where they have submitted to defeat. This is one of the main reasons of their success. I am certain that, at whatever sacrifices, they will equip and send out an army that they will believe powerful enough for the purpose."
"But they were many years after their first invasion before they came again."
"That is true; but in those first two invasions they did not conquer. In the first they were forced to retire, and therefore came again; in the second they had success enough to be able to claim a victory and so to retire with honour. Besides, Rome is vastly stronger and more powerful now than she was then. Believe me, Aska, the struggle will be but begun when we have driven the last Roman from the island."
"We must talk of this again," Aska said, "as it is upon us that the brunt of this struggle will fall. We shall have the chief voice and influence after it is over, and Boadicea will stand in the place that Cunobeline held, of chief king of the island. Then, as you say, much will depend on the steps we take to prepare to resist the next invasion; and young as you are, your knowledge of Roman ways will render your counsels valuable, and give great weight to your advice."
"I do not wish to put myself in any way in the foreground," Beric said. "I am still but a boy, and have no wish to raise my voice in the council of chiefs; but what I have learned of Roman history and Roman laws I would gladly explain to those who, like yourself, speak with the voice of authority, and whose wisdom all recognize."
In the morning Boadicea said that reports had been brought to her of the manner in which Beric had been teaching the Sarci to fight in Roman fashion, and that she should be glad to see the result.
Accordingly the tribesmen proceeded to the open fields a mile away, where they had been accustomed to drill, and they were followed by the whole of those gathered round the village. The queen and Parta drove out in their chariots. When they reached the spot the chiefs of the other tribes, at Beric's request, called upon their men to draw off and leave a space sufficient for the exercises. This left the Sarci standing in scattered groups over the open space, at one end of which Boadicea and all the chiefs were gathered.
"They are now in the position, queen," Beric said, "of men unsuspecting danger. I shall now warn them that they are about to be attacked, and that they are to gather instantly to repel42 the enemy."
Taking the conch slung43 over his shoulder Beric applied44 it to his lips and blew three short notes. The tribesmen ran together; there was, as it seemed to the lookers on, a scene of wild confusion for a minute, and then they were drawn45 up in companies, each a hundred strong, in regular order. A short blast and a long one, and they moved up together into a mass five deep; a single note, and the spears fell, and an array of glistening46 points shone in front of them.
A shout of surprise and approval rose from the tribesmen looking on. To them this perfect order and regularity seemed well nigh miraculous47.
Beric now advanced to the line. At his order the two rear ranks stepped backwards48 a few feet, struck their spears in the ground, and then discharged their javelins--of which each man carried six--over the heads of the ranks in front, against the enemy supposed to be advancing to attack them. Then seizing their spears they fell into line again, and at another order the whole advanced at a quick pace with levelled spears to the charge, and keeping on till within a few paces of where the queen was standing, halted suddenly and raised their spears. Again a roar of applause came from the tribesmen.
"It is wonderful," the queen said. "I had not thought that men could be taught so to move together; and that is how the Romans fight, Beric?"
"It is, queen," Beric said. "The exercises are exactly similar to those of the Romans. I learnt them by heart when I was among them, and the orders are exactly the same as those given in the legions--only, of course, they are performed by trained soldiers more perfectly49 than we can as yet do them. It is but two months since we began, and the Romans have practised them for years. Had I time you would have seen them much more perfect than at present."
"You have performed marvels," she said. "I wish that you had had more time, and that all the Iceni, and not the Sarci only could have thus learned to meet the enemy. Do you not think so, chiefs?"
"It is wonderful," one of the chiefs said; "but I think that it is not so terrifying to a foe as the rush of our own men. It is better for resistance, but not so good for attack. Still it has great merits; but I think it more suited for men who fight deliberately50, like the Romans, than for our own tribesmen, who are wont51 to rely for victory each upon his own strength and valour."
"What say you, Beric?" the queen asked.
"It would be presumptuous52 for me to give my opinion against that of a great chief," Beric said quietly; "But, so far, strength and valour have not in themselves succeeded. The men of Caractacus had both, but they were unavailing against the solid Roman line. We have never yet won a great victory over the Romans, and yet we have fought against them valiantly53. None can say that a Briton is not as brave and as strong as a Roman. In our battles we have always outnumbered them. If we have been beaten, therefore, it has been surely because the Roman method of fighting is superior to our own."
"Beric's argument is a strong one," the queen said to the one who had spoken; "and I would that all the Iceni had learnt to fight in this fashion. However, we shall have opportunities of seeing which is right before we have finished with the Romans. March your men back again, Beric."
Beric sounded his horn, and the line, facing half round, became a column, and marched in regular order back to the village. The morning meal was now taken, and at midday the march began. Boadicea with her daughters, Parta and other women of rank, went first in their chariots; and the Sarci, who, as lying next to the enemy's country, were allowed the post of honour, followed in column behind her, while the rest of the tribesmen made their way in a miscellaneous crowd through the forest. They halted among the trees at a distance of four miles from Camalodunum, and then rested, for the attack was not to take place until daybreak on the next morning.
Late that evening two or three women of the Trinobantes came out, in accordance with a preconcerted arrangement, to tell them that there was no suspicion at Camalodunum of the impending56 danger; and that, although there was great uneasiness among the inhabitants, no measures for defence had been taken, and that even the precaution of sending away the women and children had not been adopted.
No fires had been lighted; the men slept in the open air, simply wrapping themselves in their mantles57 and lying down under the trees. Beric had a long talk with Boduoc and ten of the tribesmen of the latter's company.
"You understand," Beric said at last, "that if, as I expect, the surprise will be complete and no regular resistance be offered, I shall sound my horn and give the signal for the tribe to break ranks and scatter14. You ten men will, however, keep together, and at once follow Boduoc and myself. As soon as we enter the house to which I shall lead you, you will surround the two persons I shall place in your charge, and will conduct them to the spot where the chariot will be waiting. You will defend them, if necessary, with your lives, should any disobey my order to let you pass through with them. As soon as they are placed in the chariot you will be free to join in the sack, and if you should be losers by the delay, I will myself make up your share to that of your comrades. You are sure, Boduoc, that all the other arrangements are perfect?"
"Everything is arranged," Boduoc said. "My brother, who drives the chariot that brought your mother's attendants, quite understands that he is to follow as soon as we move off, and keeping a short way behind us is to stop in front of the last house outside the gate until we come. As soon as he has taken them up he will drive off and give them into the charge of our mother, who has promised you to have everything in readiness for them; the skins for beds, drinking vessels58, food, and everything else necessary was taken there two days ago. My sisters will see to the comfort of the young lady, and you can rely upon my mother to carry out all the orders you have given her. Our hut lies so deeply in the forest that there is little chance of anyone going near it, especially as the whole of the men of the tribe are away."
Two hours before daylight the Iceni moved forward. They were to attack at a number of different points, and each chief had had his position allotted59 to him. The Sarci were to move directly against the northern gate and would form the centre of the attack. Each man, by Beric's order, carried a faggot so that these could be piled against the wall by the gate and enable them to effect an entrance without the delay that would be incurred60 in breaking down the massive gates. They passed quietly through the cultivated fields, and past the houses scattered about outside the walls, whose inhabitants had withdrawn61 into the city since the alarm spread. They halted at a short distance from the gate, for sentries62 would be on guard there, and remained for nearly an hour, as many of the other tribesmen had a considerably63 longer distance to go to reach their appointed stations. A faint light was beginning to steal over the sky when, far away on their right, a horn sounded. It was repeated again and again, each time nearer, and ran along far to the left; then, raising their war cry, the Sarci dashed forward to the gate.
The shouts of the sentinels on the walls had arisen as soon as the first horn sounded, and had scarcely died away when the Sarci reached the gate. Each man as he arrived threw down his faggot, and the pile soon reached the top of the wall. Then Beric led the way up and stood on the Roman work. The sentries, seeing the hopelessness of resistance, had already fled, and the Sarci poured in. A confused clamour of shouts and cries rose from the town, above which sounded the yells of the exulting64 Iceni. Beric gave the signal for the Sarci to scatter, and the tribesmen at once began to attack the houses. Placing himself at the head of Boduoc's chosen party, Beric ran forward. Already from some of the houses armed men were pouring out, but disregarding these Beric pressed on until he reached the house of Caius Muro. His reason for haste was that, standing rather on the other side of the town, it was nearer the point assailed65 by one of the other divisions of the tribe than to the north gate, and he feared that others might arrive there before him. Reaching the door he beat upon it with the handle of his sword.
"Open, Cneius," he shouted, "it is I, Beric."
The door was opened at once, and he ran forward into the atrium, which was filled with frightened slaves, who burst into cries of terror as, followed by his men, he entered. "Where are you, Cneius?" Beric shouted.
"I am here," the scribe replied from his cubicule, "I will be with you in a moment; it is but a minute since we were awoke by the uproar66."
"Be quick!" Beric said, "there is not a moment to be lost.
"Run up to the women's apartments," he said to a slave, "and tell your mistress to hurry down, for that every minute is precious."
Almost immediately Berenice came down the stairs in her disguise as a British boy, and at the same moment Cneius issued from his room.
"Come, Berenice," Beric said, "there is not a moment to be lost; the town is in our hands, and if others of the tribe arrive I might not be able to save you."
Hurrying them from the house he ordered the men to close round them, and then started on his way back. A terrible din7 was going on all round; yells, shouts, and screams arising from every house. flames were bursting up at a dozen points. To his great satisfaction Beric reached the point where the Sarci were at work, breaking into the houses, before he encountered any of the other Iceni. The men were too busy to pay any attention to the little group of their own tribesmen; passing through these they were soon at the gate. It already stood open, the bolts having been drawn by those who first entered. Fifty yards from the wall stood the chariot.
Berenice was crying bitterly, horror stricken at the sounds she had heard, though happily she had seen nothing, being closely shut in by the tall forms of her guard.
"Thanks be to the gods that I have saved you, Berenice," Beric said, "and you also, Cneius! Now I must commit you to the care of the driver of the chariot, who is one of my tribesmen. He will take you to a retreat where you will, I trust, be in perfect safety until the troubles are over. His mother has promised to do all in her power for your comfort. You will find one of our huts but a rough abode68, but it will at least be a shelter."
"That I cannot do, Berenice. I am a Briton and a chief, and I must be with my tribe. And now I must away. Farewell, Berenice! may your gods and mine watch over you! Farewell, my kind teacher!"
He took off the torque, the collar formed of a number of small metal cords interlaced with each other, the emblem70 of rank and command, and handed it to the driver. "You will show this, Runoc, to any you meet, for it may be that you will find parties of late comers on the road. This will be a proof that you are journeying on my business and under my orders. Do not stop and let them question you, but drive quickly along, and if they should shout and bid you stop, hold up the torque and shout, 'I travel at speed by my chief's orders.'
"Do you both sit down in the chariot," he said to the others. "Then as you journey rapidly along it will be supposed that you are either wounded or messengers of importance. Farewell!"
Cneius and the girl had already mounted the chariot, and the driver now gave the horses rein71 and started at full speed. Beric turned and re-entered the town slowly. In those days pity for the vanquished72 was a sentiment but little comprehended, and he had certainly not learned it among the Romans, who frequently massacred their prisoners wholesale74. Woe75 to the vanquished! was almost a maxim76 with them. But Beric shrank from witnessing the scene, now that the tables were turned upon the oppressors. Nationally he hated the Romans, but individually he had no feeling against them, and had he had the power he would at once have arrested the effusion of blood. He wished to drive them from the kingdom, not to massacre73 them; but he knew well that he had no power whatever in such a matter. Even his own tribesmen would not have stayed their hand at his command. To slay a Roman was to them a far more meritorious77 action than to slay a wolf, and any one who urged mercy would have been regarded not only as a weakling but as a traitor78.
Already the work was well nigh done. Pouring in on all sides into the city the Iceni had burst into the houses and slain79 their occupants whether they resisted or not. A few men here and there sold their lives dearly, but the great majority had been too panic stricken with the sudden danger to attempt the slightest resistance. Some of the inhabitants whose houses were near the temple had fled thither80 for refuge before the assailants reached them, but in half an hour from the striking of the first blow these and the troops there were the sole survivors81 of the population of Camalodunum. For the present the temple was disregarded. It was known that the garrison82 did not exceed four hundred men, and there was no fear of so small a body assuming the offensive.
The work of destruction had commenced. There was but little plundering83, for the Britons despised the Roman luxuries, of the greater part of which they did not even comprehend the use. They were Roman, and therefore to be hated as well as despised. Save, therefore, weapons, which were highly prized, and gold ornaments, which were taken as trinkets for the women at home, nothing was saved. As the defenders84 of each house were slain, fire was applied to hangings and curtains, and then the assailants hurried away in search of fresh victims. Thus the work of destruction proceeded concurrently85 with that of massacre, and as the sun rose vast columns of smoke mounting upwards86 conveyed the news to the women of the Iceni and Trinobantes for a circle of many miles round, that the attack had been successful, and that Camalodunum, the seat of their oppressors, was in flames. Beric, as he made his way towards the centre of the town, sighed as he passed the shop where two months before he had stopped a moment to look at the rolls of vellum.
The destruction of the monuments of Roman luxury; the houses with their costly87 contents; and even the Palace of Cunobeline, which had been converted into the residence of the Roman governor, had not affected88 him; but he mourned over the loss of the precious manuscripts which had contained such a wealth of stored up learning. Already the house was wrapped in flames, which were rushing from the windows, and the prize which he had looked upon as his own special share of the plunder had escaped him.
At the edge of the broad open space that surrounded the Temple of Claudius the Britons were gathering thickly. Beric applied his horn to his lips, and in a few minutes the Sarci gathered round him. Bidding them stand in order he moved away to see what disposition89 was being made for the attack on the temple, but at present all were too excited with their success for any to assume the lead or give orders. At the first rush parties of the Britons had made for the temple, but had been received with showers of darts90 and stones, and had been met on the steps by the Roman soldiers and roughly repulsed91. Walking round he came upon the chariot of Boadicea. The queen was flushed with excitement and gratified vengeance, and was shaking her spear menacingly towards the temple; her eye presently fell upon Beric.
"The work has begun well, my young chief, but we have still to crush the wolves in their den9. It is a strong place, with its massive walls unpierced save by the doorway92 at each end; but we will have them out if to do so we are forced to tear it down stone by stone."
"I trust that we shall not be as long as that would take, queen," Beric said, "for we have other work to do."
Just at this moment one of the chiefs of the Trinobantes came up. "Queen Boadicea," he said, "we crave93 that we may be allowed to storm the temple. It is built on our ground as a sign of our subjection, and we would fain ourselves capture it."
"Be it so," the queen replied. "Do you undertake the task at once."
The Trinobantes, who had joined the Iceni in the attack on the town, presently gathered with loud shouts, and under their chiefs rushed at the temple. From the roof darts and stones were showered down upon them; but though many were killed they swarmed94 up the broad steps that surrounded it on all sides and attacked the doors. Beric shook his head, and returning to his men led them off down one of the broad streets to an open space a short distance away.
"This will be our gathering place," he said. "Do not wander far away, and return quickly at the sound of my horn. We may be wanted presently. I do not think that the Trinobantes will take the temple in that fashion."
They had indeed advanced entirely95 unprovided with proper means of assault. The massive gates against which the Romans had piled stones, casks of provisions, and other heavy articles were not to be broken down by such force as the Britons could bring against them. In vain these chopped with their swords upon the woodwork. The gates were constructed of oak, and the weapons scarce marked them. In vain they threw themselves twenty abreast96 against them. The doors hardly quivered at the shock, and in the meantime the assailants were suffering heavily, for from openings in the roof, extending from the building itself to the pillars that surrounded it, the Romans dropped missiles upon them.
For some time the Trinobantes persevered97, and then their chiefs, seeing that the attempt was hopeless, called off their followers. No fresh attempt was made for a time, and Boadicea established herself in one of the few houses that had escaped the flames, and there presently the chiefs assembled. Various suggestions were made, but at last it was decided98 to batter99 in the doors with a heavy tree, and a strong party of men were at once despatched to fell and prepare two of suitable size. The operation was a long one, as the trees when found had to be brought down by lighting100 fires against the trunks, and it was nightfall before they fell and the branches were cut off. It was decided, therefore, to postpone101 the attack until the next day.
Beric had not been present at the council, to which only a few of the leading chiefs had been summoned; but he doubted, when he heard what had been decided upon, whether the attack would be successful. It was settled that the Trinobantes were to attack the door at one end of the temple, and the Iceni that at the other. Late in the evening the chariot returned, and Beric was greatly relieved to hear that the fugitives102 had been placed in safety and that the journey had been made without interference. He was glad to recover his torque, for its absence would have excited surprise when men's minds were less occupied and excited. Not until he recovered it could he go to see Parta, who was lodged103 with the queen, but as soon as he recovered it he went in. Every sign of Roman habitation and luxury had been, as far as possible, obliterated104 by order of Boadicea before she entered the house. Hangings had been pulled down, statues overthrown105, and the paintings on the plaster chipped from the walls.
"What have you been doing all day, Beric?" his mother asked. "I looked to see you long before this, and should have thought that some accident had befallen you had I not known that the news would have been speedily brought me had it been so."
"I have been looking after the tribesmen, mother. I should have come in to see you, but did not wish to intrude106 among the chiefs in council with the queen. You represented the Sarci here, and had we been wanted you would have sent for me. Who are to attack the temple tomorrow?"
"Not the Sarci, my son. Unser begged that he and his tribe might have the honour, and the queen and council granted it to him."
"I am glad of it, mother. The duty is an honourable107 one, but the loss will be heavy, and others can do the work as well as we could, and I want to keep our men for the shock of battle with the legions. Moreover, I doubt whether the doors will be battered108 down in the way they propose."
"You do, Beric! and why is that?" The speaker was Aska, who had just left the group of chiefs gathered round the queen at the other end of the apartment, and had come close without Beric hearing him.
The lad coloured. "I spoke35 only for my mother's hearing, sir," he said. "To no one else should I have ventured to express an opinion on a course agreed upon by those who are older and wiser than myself."
"That is right, Beric; the young should be silent in the presence of their elders; nevertheless I should like to know why you think the assault is likely to fail."
"It was really not my own opinion I was giving, sir. I was thinking of the manner in which the Romans, who are accustomed to besiege109 places with high walls and strong gates, proceed. They have made these matters a study, while to us an attack upon such a place is altogether new, seeing that none such exist in Britain save those the Romans have erected111."
"How would they proceed, Beric?"
"They would treat an attack upon such a place as a serious matter, not to be undertaken rashly and hastily, but only after great preparation. In order to batter down a gate or a wall they use heavy beams, such as those that have been prepared for tomorrow, but they affix112 to the head a shoe of iron or brass113. They do not swing it upon men's arms, seeing that it would be most difficult to get so many men to exercise their strength together, and indeed could not give it the momentum114 required."
"But we propose to have the beam carried by fifty men, and for all to rush forward together and drive it against the door."
"If the door were weak and would yield to the first blow that might avail," Beric said; "but unless it does so the shock will throw down the tree and the men bearing it. Many will be grievously hurt. Moreover, if, as will surely be the case, many of the bearers fall under the darts of the Romans as they approach, others will stumble over their bodies, and the speed of the whole be greatly checked."
"Then can you tell me how the Romans act in such a case, Beric?"
"Yes, sir. I have frequently heard relations of sieges from soldiers who have taken part in them. They build, in the first place, movable towers or sheds running on wheels. These towers are made strong enough to resist the stones and missiles the besieged115 may hurl116 against them. Under cover of the shelter men push up the towers to the door or wall to be battered; the beam is then slung on ropes hanging from the inside of the tower. Other ropes are attached; numbers of men take hold of these, and working together swing the beam backwards and forwards, so that each time it strikes the wall or door a heavy blow. As the beam is of great weight, and many men work it, the blows are well nigh irresistible117, and the strongest walls crumble118 and the most massive gates splinter under the shock of its iron head."
"The Romans truly are skilled warriors," Aska said. "We are but children in the art of war beside them, and methinks it would be difficult indeed for us to construct such a machine, though mayhap it could be done had we with us many men skilled in the making of chariots. But sometimes, Beric, they must have occasion to attack places where such machines could not well be used."
"In that case, sir, they sometimes make what they call a tortoise. The soldiers link their broad shields together, so as to form a complete covering, resembling the back of a tortoise, and under shelter of this they advance to the attack. When they reach the foot of the wall all remain immovable save those in the front line, who labour with iron bars to loosen the stones at the foot of the wall, protected from missiles from above by the shields of their comrades. From time to time they are relieved by fresh workers until the foundations of the wall are deeply undermined. As they proceed they erect110 massive props119 to keep up the wall, and finally fill up the hole with combustibles. After lighting these they retire. When the props are consumed the wall of course falls, and they then rush forward and climb the breach120."
"Truly, Beric, you have profited by your lessons," Aska said, laying his hand kindly121 on the lad's shoulder. "The Druids spoke wisely when they prophesied122 a great future for you. Before we have done we may have many Roman strongholds to capture, and when we do I will see that the council order that your advice be taken as to how they shall be attacked; but in this matter tomorrow things must remain as they are. Unser is a proud chief, and headstrong, and would not brook123 any interference. Should he be repulsed in the assault, I will advise the queen to call up the Sarci, and allow you to proceed in your own manner."
"I will do my best, sir; but time is needed for proceeding124 according to the first Roman method, and our shields are too small for the second. The place should be taken by tomorrow night, for Cerealis will assuredly move with his legion to relieve it as soon as he hears the news of our attack."
"That is what has been in our minds," Aska said. "Well, what do you say, Beric? After what I saw the other day of the movements you have taught your tribe I should be sorry to have their ranks thinned in a hopeless attack upon the temple. I would rather that we should leave it for the present and march out to meet Cerealis, leaving a guard here to keep the Romans hemmed125 in until we have time to deal with them."
Beric stood for a minute or two without answering, and then said, "I will undertake it, sir, with the Sarci should Unser's attack fail."
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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3
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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5
fermented
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| v.（使）发酵( ferment的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）激动；骚动；骚扰 | |
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6
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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7
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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8
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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11
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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12
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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13
atoned
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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14
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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16
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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17
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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18
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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19
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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20
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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21
mimic
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| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
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22
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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23
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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24
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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25
bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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26
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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28
bards
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| n.诗人( bard的名词复数 ) | |
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29
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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30
laments
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| n.悲恸，哀歌，挽歌( lament的名词复数 )v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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31
exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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32
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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33
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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34
tribal
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| adj.部族的，种族的 | |
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35
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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36
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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37
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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38
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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39
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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40
utilize
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| vt.使用，利用 | |
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41
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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42
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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43
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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44
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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45
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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46
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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47
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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48
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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49
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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50
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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51
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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52
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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53
valiantly
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| adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳 | |
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54
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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55
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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56
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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57
mantles
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| vt.&vi.覆盖（mantle的第三人称单数形式） | |
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58
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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59
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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61
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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62
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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63
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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64
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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65
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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66
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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67
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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68
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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69
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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70
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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71
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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72
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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73
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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74
wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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75
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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76
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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77
meritorious
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| adj.值得赞赏的 | |
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78
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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79
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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80
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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81
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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82
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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83
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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84
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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85
concurrently
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| adv.同时地 | |
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86
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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87
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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88
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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89
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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90
darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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91
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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92
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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93
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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94
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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95
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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96
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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97
persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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99
batter
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| v.接连重击；磨损；n.牛奶面糊；击球员 | |
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100
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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101
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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102
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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103
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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104
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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105
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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106
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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107
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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108
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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109
besiege
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| vt.包围，围攻，拥在...周围 | |
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110
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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111
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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112
affix
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| n.附件，附录 vt.附贴，盖(章)，签署 | |
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113
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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114
momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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115
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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117
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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118
crumble
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| vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁 | |
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119
props
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| 小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋 | |
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120
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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121
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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122
prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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124
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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125
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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