The Free-lances were early astir.  As the first ray of golden light streamed over the pine woods on to the ridge and the valley, the bells of the Cathedral began to ring; the heavy gate of the castello was flung open, and the children trooped out laughing and gay, just as they had burst into the square a few months ago, for this, they were told, was to be a great feast and holiday.  As they issued through the deep stone archway they filed to right or left, and drew up in long lines across the width of the ridge.  Then raising their childish voices in a simple hymn, they all moved together down the rough slope to the lines of the besiegers.  Brother Agnolo, holding a plain wooden cross high above his head, led the way, singing joyously.