The peasants accordingly withdrew
a short distance from the church, and three of their number were
sent off in different directions to bring up reinforcements. As soon
as Malcolm saw this movement he knew that concealment was useless,
and began to make preparations for the defence. First, he with the
sergeant ascended to the roof of the tower. To his disappointment
he saw that the heat of the flames had melted the snow, and that
most of the water had run away. Some, however, stood in the hollows
and inequalities of the stone platform, where it had again frozen
into ice.
As the supply would be very precious, Malcolm directed that before
any moved about on the platform every piece of ice should be
carefully taken up and carried below. Here it was melted over the
fire in one of the iron caps, and was found to furnish three quarts
of water. The appearance of Malcolm and his companion on the tower
had been hailed by a shout of hatred and exultation by the peasants;
but the defenders had paid no attention to the demonstration, and
had continued their work as if regardless of the presence of their
enemies.
On his return to the platform Malcolm found, looking over the low
parapet, that on the side farthest from the church great icicles
hung down from the mouth of the gutter, the water having frozen
again as it trickled from the platform. These icicles were three
or four inches in diameter and many feet in length.
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