As you see we have collected some ladders, and as we shall take them by surprise, while they are occupied with the king, we shall give a good account of them." "I will go with you right willingly," Malcolm said; but he could not but feel that the enterprise was a desperate one, and wished that the major had waited until a few hundred more men had crossed.

Placing himself behind the Scottish officer, he advanced up the passage which had been discovered.

Ascending flight after flight of stone stairs, the column issued from the passage at the very foot of the outer wall before the garrison stationed there were aware of their approach.

The ladders were just placed when the Italians caught sight of them and rushed to the defence, but it was too late.

The Scotch swarmed up and gained a footing on the wall.
Driving the enemy before them they cleared the outer works, and pressed so hotly upon the retiring Imperialists that they entered with them into the inner works of the castle, crossing the drawbridge over the moat which separated it from its outer works before the garrison had time to raise it.
Now in the very heart of the castle a terrible encounter took place.