The earth was levelled a foot deep, and then a score of buckets of water emptied over it.

Then the faggots were piled against the door.

A torch was applied to them and, as soon as this was done, the assailants fell back; the defenders plying them with shot and cross bolts, as soon as they did so.
Philip now paid a hasty visit to the walls.

Here the assailants had suffered heavily, before they had planted their faggots; the defenders being better able to return their fire than were those at the windows.

In both cases, however, they had succeeded in laying and firing the faggots; although much hindered at the work, by pails of boiling water emptied upon them.
Some ten of the defenders had been shot through the head, as they stood up to fire.