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 attack ; it was the arrival of another party of stragglers from the defeat of Risingham that had disturbed Sir Daniel . They had run the gauntlet under cover of the darkness ; they had been admitted by the great gate ; and now , with a great stamping of hoofs and jingle of accoutrements and arms , they were dismounting in the court . `` He will return anon , '' said Dick . `` To the trap ! '' He lighted a lamp , and they went together into the corner of the room .
The open chink through which some light still glittered was easily discovered , and , taking a stout sword from his small armoury , XXXXX thrust it deep into the seam , and weighed strenuously on the hilt .
Daniel Dick Jack Joanna Risingham accoutrements anon attack bedstead endwise