Every one fell into his appointed place.

The farmer himself took the command of the party on one side of the road, Malcolm of that on the other.

Matches were blown, and the priming of the arquebuses looked to; then they gathered round the ropes, and listened for the tramp of horses.
Although it was but a few minutes before it came, the time seemed long to those waiting; but at last a vague sound was heard, which rapidly rose into a loud trampling of horses.

The marauders had been riding quietly until they neared the wood, as speed was no object; but as they wished to take the village by surprise--and it was just possible that they might have been seen approaching--they were now riding rapidly.
Suddenly the earth gave way under the feet of the horses of the captain and his lieutenant, who were riding at the head of the troop, and men and animals disappeared from the sight of those who followed.

The two men behind them pulled their horses back on their haunches, and checked them at the edge of the pit into which their leaders had fallen.
As they did so a loud crack was heard, and a great tree came crashing down, falling directly upon them, striking them and their horses to the ground.