All doubts were, however, set at rest when a boy who had been
stationed in a high tree near the edge of the wood ran in with
the news that a band of horsemen were riding across the plain, and
would be there in a few minutes. Every one fell into his appointed
place. The farmer himself took the command of the party on one side
of the road, Malcolm of that on the other. Matches were blown, and
the priming of the arquebuses looked to; then they gathered round
the ropes, and listened for the tramp of horses.
Although it was but a few minutes before it came, the time seemed
long to those waiting; but at last a vague sound was heard, which
rapidly rose into a loud trampling of horses. The marauders had
been riding quietly until they neared the wood, as speed was no
object; but as they wished to take the village by surprise -- and
it was just possible that they might have been seen approaching --
they were now riding rapidly.
Suddenly the earth gave way under the feet of the horses of the
captain and his lieutenant, who were riding at the head of the
troop, and men and animals disappeared from the sight of those
who followed. The two men behind them pulled their horses back on
their haunches, and checked them at the edge of the pit into which
their leaders had fallen.
As they did so a loud crack was heard, and a great tree came crashing
down, falling directly upon them, striking them and their horses
to the ground.
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