During the day Cuthbert, guided by the knight, made his way through the woods to the foot of the rocks on which the castle stood.

They were extremely steep, but could be mounted by active men if unopposed from above.

Cuthbert measured the height with his eye from the top of the castle wall to the place which he selected as most fitting from which to shoot the arrow, and announced to the knight that he thought there would be no difficulty in discharging an arrow over the angle.
At nightfall the whole party made their way silently through the woods.
Three men were sent round to the side of the castle opposite that from which Cuthbert was to shoot.

The length of light string was carefully coiled on the ground, so as to unwind with the greatest facility, and so offer as little resistance to the flight of the arrow as might be.

Then, all being in readiness, Cuthbert attached the end to an arrow, and drawing the bow to its full compass, let fly the arrow.