• • . 319 better defence could have been made; for al-though their opponents had cut the door into a thoufand pieces, they found their difficulties fo increafe upon them, they gave it up, and return-ed about midnight to tell their lords, how tha garrifon, having heard them, had blocked up the paffage, making it impoffible to gain entry by that way. Upon this the paffavant was ordered from la Baflere, which being taken to pieces, was brought on carts to Convalle, and remounted on its wheels, lit for immediate fervice. When all was ready, fir Walter de PafTac, im-patient to win this castle, ordered his trumpets to * found, and the host to arm and advance in pro-per array. The fènéfchal ofTouloufe was on one fide, with all his fénéfchaJfhip ; on the oppofite fir Roger d'Efpaign, in like manner, with his men from CarcafTone : there #ere the lord de Barbazan, fir Benedict de Faignolles, the lord de Benoch, the fon of the count d'Estarac, fir Raymond de rifle, and the knights and fquires of the country, each with his company, drawn up in good array. . The attack and defence now ferioufly com-menced: the garrifon defended themfelveS vali-antly: indeed it behoved them fo to do, for they found themfelves hard prefled; and knowing that fir Walter would fhow them no mercy, if taken, were refolved to fell their lives as dearly as poffible. The Genoefe crofs-bows behaved well, and fhot fo truly with their bolts, that the boldeft was afraid of tbemj for whomfoever they ftruck on the head, it was over with him. . Sir Walter dé Pàïfac was in the front acting jronders