WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 35 



The magnitude of the space enclosed by the earth- 

 work, the height of the rampart and depth of the 

 fosse, show that it was originally intended to be occu- 

 pied by a large force. With modern artillery, the 

 mitrailleuse, and above all the breech-loading rifle, 

 a comparatively small number of men could hold a 

 commanding position like this : a steep ascent on 

 three sides, and on the fourth a narrow level ridge, 

 easily swept by their fire. But when this entrench- 

 ment was thrown up the chalky earth and flints 

 probably carried up in osier baskets, for they do not 

 seem to have had wheelbarrows in those times every 

 single yard of rampart required its spear or threaten- 

 ing arrow, so as to present an unbroken rank along 

 the summit. If not, the enemy approaching to close 

 quarters and attacking several places at once would 

 find gaps through which they might pour into the 

 camp. It seems, therefore, evident that these works 

 once sheltered an army ; and, looking at their massive 

 character, it is difficult to resist the conclusion that 

 they were not temporary trenches merely, but were 

 permanently garrisoned. 



There is another alternative : they may have been 

 a place of refuge for the surrounding population in 

 the nameless wars waged between rival kings. In 

 that case they would, when resorted to, contain a still 

 larger number of persons ; women and children and 

 aged men would be included, and to these must be 

 added cattle and sheep. Now, reflecting upon these 

 considerations, and recollecting the remarks previously 



