of horses somewhere; more than one, too. With
straining ears and beating heart, the youth leant on his pike, and
listened. The sound grew more and more distinct, and presently he could
tell that, whoever they were, they were galloping. He ordered Jupiter
to lie down and be silent. They were in the wood, somewhere. Were they
bound for Singleton? Presently he was able to distinguish voices, and a
minute afterwards it seemed as if every sound had ceased.

He stepped quietly, followed by Jupiter, from the east terrace to the
rampart over the great gate, where he was able to command as full a view
as the uncertain light would allow of the glade through the frees which
led to the castle. But nothing could be seen. As he watched, the
sounds commenced again, and this time he fancied he could detect a
rumbling noise as of a cart accompanying the horsemen.

It was now easy to tell the meaning of all these sounds. A troop of
horsemen--he could not yet guess how many--were approaching Singleton
Towers; and bringing with them a gun!

The young laird's heart beat now in right earnest, but not with fear.
That had been left behind with the ghosts. He forgot everything but the
defence of his castle and the glory of his clan; and waited eagerly for
the time of action.

The cavalcade made a halt about halfway through the wood, and in the
still night air, with the light breeze carrying it, Singleton could hear
the sound of voices as in hurried consultation. Then a single horseman
approached; and before many minutes he could just discern in the dim
moonlight a form emerging from the wood and stealthily approaching the
castle.

"Let him come and spy," said Singleton, to himself.

"He will see the lights, and perhaps a few spear-heads on the walls--and
he'll report as much to his chief. Ah!"

At that moment the clouds cleared away from the moon and clearly
revealed the intruder. He was one of the Macfies, Singleton could see,
and fully armed. He dismounted at the border of the wood, and advanced
cautiously on foot to the edge of the moat. This he made no attempt to
cross, but made his observations from the far side.

Singleton, taking care not to be seen, crept back into the armoury, from
which he took a bugle. Bringing it out into the terrace, he sounded a
few shrill notes; and then instantly seizing a lantern, ran hurriedly to
and fro with it on various parts of the battlements. Then without
waiting a moment he to