`` Down with it , '' said Sir Daniel . And immediately his followers fell savagely upon the door with foot and fist . Solid as it was , and strongly bolted , it would soon have given way ; but once more fortune interfered . Over the thunderstorm of blows the cry of a sentinel was heard ; it was followed by another ; shouts ran along the battlements , shouts answered out of the wood . In the first moment of alarm it sounded as if the foresters were carrying the Moat House by assault . And Sir Daniel and his men , desisting instantly from their attack upon Dick 's chamber , hurried to defend the walls . `` Now , '' cried Dick , `` we are saved . '' He seized the great old bedstead with both hands , and bent himself in vain to move it . `` Help me , Jack . For your life 's sake , help me stoutly ! '' he cried . Between them , with a huge effort , they dragged the big frame of oak across the room , and thrust it endwise to the chamber door . `` Ye do but make things worse , '' said Joanna , sadly . `` He will then enter by the trap . '' `` Not so , '' replied Dick . `` He durst not tell his secret to so many . It is by the trap that we shall flee . Hark ! The attack is over . Nay , it was none ! ''
It had , indeed , been no XXXXX ; it was the arrival of another party of stragglers from the defeat of Risingham that had disturbed Sir Daniel .
Daniel Dick Jack Joanna assault attack endwise first foresters thunderstorm