which he had selected there was for the distance of a hundred yards a
thick growth of underwood bordering the track on either side. Across the
road, at the end of the passage nearest to the farm, Malcolm directed
ten of the men to dig a pit twelve feet wide and eight feet deep. The
rest of the men he set to work to cut nearly through the trunks of the
trees standing nearest the road until they were ready to fall.

Ten trees were so treated, five on either side of the road. Standing, as
they did, among the undergrowth, the operation which had been performed
on them was invisible to any one passing by. Ropes were now fastened to
the upper part of the trees and carried across the road, almost hidden
from sight by the foliage which met over the path. When the pit was
completed the earth which had been taken from it was scattered in the
wood out of sight. Light boughs were then placed over the hole. These
were covered with earth and sods trampled down until the break in the
road was not perceptible to a casual eye.

This was done by Malcolm himself, as the lightest of the party, the
boughs sufficing to bear his weight, although they would give way
at once beneath that of a horse. The men all worked with vigour and
alacrity as soon as they understood Malcolm's plans. Daylight was
breaking when the preparations were completed. Malcolm now divided the
party, and told them off to their respective posts. They were sixteen in
all, excluding the pastor.

Eight were placed on each side of the road. Those on one side were
gathered near the pit which had been dug, those on the other were
opposite to the tree which was farthest down the valley. The freebooters
were to be allowed to pass along until the foremost fell into the pit.
The men stationed there were at once to haul upon the rope attached to
the tree near it and to bring it down. Its fall would bar the road and
prevent the horsemen from leaping the pit. Those in the rear were,
if they heard the crash before the last of the marauders had passed
through, to wait until they had closed up, which they were sure to do
when the obstacle was reached, and then to fell the tree to bar their
retreat.

The instant this was done both parties were to run to other ropes and
to bring down the trees upon the horsemen gathered on the road, and were
then to fall upon them with axe, pike, and arquebus.

"If it works as well as I expect," Malcolm said, "not one of them will
escape from the tra