Standing, as they did, among the undergrowth, the operation which had been performed on them was invisible to any one passing by.

Ropes were now fastened to the upper part of the trees and carried across the road, almost hidden from sight by the foliage which met over the path.

When the pit was completed the earth which had been taken from it was scattered in the wood out of sight.

Light boughs were then placed over the hole.

These were covered with earth and sods trampled down until the break in the road was not perceptible to a casual eye.
This was done by Malcolm himself, as the lightest of the party, the boughs sufficing to bear his weight, although they would give way at once beneath that of a horse.