he Scottish spearmen ran them through and through as they lay.

Their bodies afforded a foothold to those who followed, but these could
make but little way, for as but one could advance at a time, each as he
came on was slain by the pikes. Finding that two were well able to hold
the door, Malcolm with the other ran up to the top of the tower, and
toppled over the stones of the parapet upon the mass gathered around
the door. These at once scattered, and those on the stairs, finding
themselves unable to get forward, for the narrow passage was now
completely choked with the dead, made their way out again and rejoined
their comrades.

"I expect they will send their musketeers first next time," Malcolm said
as he rejoined those below, leaving the soldier on the watch. "Now let
us get the door up again, and bring the dead here; we can form a barrier
with them breast high."

The door was quickly shifted on one side, and then the troopers brought
up the dead, who were eleven in number.

"Now replace the door," Malcolm ordered; "fill your iron caps with
blood--there is plenty flowing from these fellows--and pour it over the
door, it will be as good as oil."

This was done, and the bodies were then piled shoulder high across the
door.

"They can fire as much as they like now," Malcolm said, "they will be no
nearer, and I defy anyone to climb up that door now."

CHAPTER XV A TIMELY RESCUE

Although unaware how much more formidable the task before them had
become, the peasants were disheartened by their defeat, and even the
boldest hesitated at the thought of again attacking foes so formidably
posted. None of those who had returned were able to explain what was the
obstacle which had checked their advance. All that they could tell was,
that those before them had fallen, in some cases even before they were
touched by the spears of the defenders. This mystery added to the dread
which the assault of so difficult a position naturally inspired, and
some hours were spent in discussing how the next attack should be made.
Many indeed were strongly in favour of remaining quietly around the
tower and starving its defenders into surrendering.

Others advocated an attempt to stifle them by heaping green wood and
damp straw round the tower; but the more timid pointed out that
many would be killed in carrying out the task by the firearms of the
besieged, and that even were the combustibles placed in position and
lighted the succ