Malcolm barred the door, and then taking down a
skin of wine bade his companions take a drink. There were loaves
on the shelves, and these he cut up and handed to them.
"Quick, lads!" he said; "stamp your legs and swing your arms, and
get the blood in motion. I will keep these fellows at bay a few
minutes longer."
He reloaded his pistols and fired through the door, at which the
peasants were now hewing with axes. A cry and a heavy fall told
him that one of the shots had taken effect. Suddenly there was a
smell of smoke.
"They have fired the roof," Malcolm said. "Now, lads, each of you
put a loaf of bread under his jerkin. There is no saying when we
may get more. Now get ready and sally out with me. There are but
six or eight men in the village, and they are no match for us. They
only dared to attack us because they saw that you couldn't walk."
The door was opened, and headed by Malcolm the four Scotchmen
dashed out. They were assailed by a shower of missiles by the crowd
as they appeared, but as soon as it was seen that the men were on
foot again the peasants gave way. Malcolm shot one and cut down
another, and the rest scattered in all directions.
"Now, lads, follow me while we may," and Malcolm again took to
the fields. The peasants followed for some distance, but when the
soldiers had quite recovered the use of their limbs Malcolm suddenly
turned on his pursuers, overtaking and killing two of them.
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