many of the leading
files being at once shot down, but, encouraged by their officers, they
rallied, and pushed forward at a run. The fire of the townspeople at
once became hurried and irregular, but the Scots picked off their men
with steady aim. The leader of the Imperialists, who carried a petard,
advanced boldly to the edge of the ditch. The fosse was shallow and
contained but little water, and he at once dashed into it and waded
across, for the drawbridge had, of course, been raised. He climbed up
the bank, and was close to the gate, when Malcolm, leaning far over
the wall, discharged his pistol at him. The ball glanced from the steel
armour.

Malcolm drew his other pistol and again fired, this time more
effectually, for the ball struck between the shoulder and the neck at
the junction of the breast and back pieces, and passed down into the
body of the Austrian, who, dropping the petard, fell dead; but a number
of his men were close behind him.

"Quick, lads!" Malcolm cried. "Put your strength to this parapet. It is
old and rotten. Now, all together! Shove!"

The soldiers bent their strength against the parapet, while some of the
townspeople, thrusting their pikes into the rotten mortar between the
stones, prised them up with all their strength. The parapet tottered,
and then with a tremendous crash fell, burying five or six of the
Imperialists and the petard beneath the ruins.

A shout of exultation rose from the defenders, and the Imperialists
at once withdrew at full speed. They halted out of gunshot, and then
a number of men were sent back to the village, whence they returned
carrying ladders, some of which had been collected the day before from
the neighbouring villages and others manufactured during the night.
The enemy now divided into three parties, which advanced simultaneously
against different points of the wall.

Notwithstanding the storm of shot poured upon them as they advanced,
they pressed forward until they reached the wall and planted their
ladders, and then essayed to climb; but at each point the stormers were
stoutly met with pike and sword, while the musketeers from the flanking
towers poured their bullets into them.

The troops proved themselves worthy of their reputation, for it was not
until more than fifty had fallen that they desisted from the attempt and
drew off.

"Now we shall have a respite," Malcolm said. "If there are no more of
them in the neighbourhood methinks they will r