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could get up on the wall from one or two mistakes could be swiftly dispatched. On the other hand, dropping the men in the moat would eliminate most of them. If they fell on the blocked portions, they would break their bones; if they fell into the water on either side, burdened with their armor, they would drown. |
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Because the opposing army was large, discouragement did not come quickly. As fast as ladders were pushed over, others rose. Some were broken, but more were ready to replace those splintered. Eventually one remained upright in Simon's section and a captain swung through a crenel opening, thrusting with his sword and spitting an unwary Welshman. With a shout of joy, Simon snatched up his shield, drew his sword, and rushed forward to engage. This was his business, and he dispatched it well and swiftly, knocking aside the man's shield with his own and taking him in the neck with his sword. |
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One of Simon's men dragged the corpse out from under his master's feet and with the help of a companion tossed it over the battlement. Meanwhile, Simon had engaged the second man. While they traded blows, another of Simon's Welshmen leaned daringly from a crenel opening about ten feet away and began to pick off the climbers on the lower part of the ladder. Simon dispatched his second opponent, who was also tossed over. He was not dead and screamed as he fell. |
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More shrieks drifted up as others fell from the ladder. Several of the bowmen had taken cues from the one initially shooting at the climbers. A third man put his leg over the crenel opening, thrusting his shield smartly outward to push away a man-at-arms who struck at him with his sword. This move was successful, but unfortunately for him Simon was on the side and took his leg off at the knee. He screamed and continued to do so as he, too, was thrown over |
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