Should the Imperialists enter the town the citizens have orders to fall back here fighting.

All their most valuable goods were sent up here yesterday, together with such of their wives and families as have not taken flight, so that there will be nothing to distract them from their duty." "That is good," Malcolm said.

"The thought that one is fighting for home and family must nerve a man in the defence, but when the enemy once breaks in he would naturally think of home first and hasten away to defend it to the last, instead of obeying orders and falling back with his comrades in good order and discipline." The meal was a cheerful one.

Malcolm related more in detail how he and his detachment happened to be so far removed from the army.
Just as the meal came to an end a drum beat in the town and the alarm bells began to ring.

The count and Malcolm sallied out at once to the outer wall, and saw a small party of officers riding from the village occupied by the Imperialists towards the town.
"Let us descend," the count said.