ifficulty, and there will then
be but three or four to deal with in the castle.

"I recommend you to make a complete end of them; and for this reason: if
any of the band survive they will join themselves with some other party
and will be sure to endeavour to get them to avenge this slaughter;
for although these bands have no love for each other, yet they would be
ready enough to take up each other's quarrel as against country folk,
especially when there is a hope of plunder. Exterminate them, then, and
advise your men to keep their secret. Few can have seen the brigands
riding hither today. When it is found that the band have disappeared the
country around will thank God, and will have little curiosity as to how
they have gone. You will of course clear the path again and bury their
bodies; and were I you I would prepare at once another ambush like that
into which they have fallen, and when a second band of marauders comes
into this part of the country set a watch night and day. Your men will
in future be better armed than hitherto, as each of those freebooters
carries a brace of pistols. And now, as I would fain be off as soon as
possible, I would ask you to let your men set to work with their axes
and cut away the boughs and to get me out a horse. Several of them
must have been killed by the falling trees, and some by the fire of the
arquebuses; but no doubt there are some uninjured."

In a quarter of an hour a horse was brought up, together with the helmet
and armour worn by the late captain of the band.

As Malcolm mounted, the men crowded round him and loaded him with thanks
and blessings for the danger from which he had delivered them, their
wives and families.

When the fugitives had left the village a store of cooked provisions
had been left behind for the use of the defenders during the day. As
the women could not be fetched back before nightfall, the farmer had
despatched a man for some of this food and the wallets on the saddle
were filled with sufficient to last Malcolm for three or four days.

A brace of pistols were placed in the holsters, and with a last farewell
to the farmer Malcolm gave the rein to his horse and rode away from the
village. He travelled fast now and without fear of interruption. The
sight of armed men riding to join one or other of the armies was too
common to attract any attention, and avoiding large towns Malcolm rode
unmolested across the plain.

He presently heard the report th