Straining his ear he could hear what they said and now he was very glad indeed that he had come.
It was the plan of Skelly to wait in silence and patience a long time.
The defenders would conclude that he and his men had gone away, and then the mountaineers could either rush the house or set it on fire.

If the final resort was fire, they could easily shoot Colonel Kenton and his friends as they ran out.

It was Skelly who spoke of this hideous plan, laughing as he spoke, and Harry's hand went instinctively toward the butt of one of the pistols.

But his will made him draw it away again, and, motionless in the grass, lying flat upon his face, he continued to listen.
Skelly's plan was accepted and they moved away to tell the others.
Harry rose a little, and crept rapidly through the grass toward the vegetable garden.
Again he was surprised at his own skill.

Acute of ear as he had become he could scarcely hear the brushing of the grass as he passed.