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 trap."
Soon after daybreak bowls of milk and trays of bread and meat were
brought down to the workers by some of the women. As there was
no immediate expectation of attack, the farmer himself, with the
pastor, went back to the village to cheer the women before their
departure.
"You need not be afraid, wife," the farmer said. "I shall keep to
my plans, because when you have once made a plan it is foolish to
change it; but I deem not that there is any real need for sending
you and the wagons and beasts away.
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