Then, accompanied by Macpherson, she ascended the walls.  All was quiet in the hostile camp, which was about a quarter of a mile distant, and only the creaking of the wheels of the machines, the orders of those directing them, and the dull crash as the great stones struck the wall, broke the stillness of the night.  For half an hour they watched, and then a sudden uproar was heard in the camp.  The Scottish war cry pealed out, followed by shouts and yells, and almost instantly flames were seen to mount up.

“My lord is at work,” Marjory said, “it is time for us to be doing also.”  So saying she ran down to the courtyard.  Sandy Grahame, Macpherson, and a few picked men took their place around her, then the drawbridge was suddenly run down, and the Scots dashed across it.  As Marjory had anticipated, the English in the outwork had gathered on the farther side and were watching the sudden outbreak in the camp.  Alarmed at the prospect of an attack, perhaps by the Bruce, in that quarter, they were suddenly startled by the rush of feet across the drawbridge, and before they had time to recover from their surprise the Scots were upon them.  The latter were superior in numbers, and the English, already alarmed by the attack upon their camp, offered but a feeble resistance.  Many were cut down, but the greater part leapt from the wall and fled towards the camp.  The moment resistance ceased the outer gate was thrown open, and at full speed the Scotch made for the machines.  The party here had suspended their work and were gazing towards the camp, where the uproar was now great.  The wind was blowing briskly and the fire had spread with immense rapidity, and already half the camp was in flames.  Suddenly from the bank above the Scots poured down upon them like a torrent.  There was scarcely a thought of resistance.  Stricken with dismay and astonishment at this unexpected attack, the soldiers working the machines fled hastily, only a few falling beneath the swords of the Scots.  The men with axes at once fell upon the machines, cutting the ropes and smashing the wheels and levers which worked them, while those with the faggots piled them round.  In less than two minutes the work was done, lighted torches were applied to the faggots, and the flames soon shot up hotly.

The Scots waited but a minute or two to see that the work was thoroughly done and that the flames had got fair hold, and then, keeping in a close body, they retired to the castle.  Not a soul was met with by the way, and leaving Andrew Macpherson with fifty men to hold the outwork until Archie should return and decide whether it should be occupied, Marjory, with the rest, re-entered the castle.

She at once ascended to the walls again, where Sandy also posted the men to be in readiness to open fire with their arrows should the English return and endeavour to extinguish the flames round the machines.  The sound of fighting had ceased at the camp.  By the light of the flames numbers of the English could be seen pulling down the tents which the fire had not yet reached and endeavouring to check the conflagration, while a large body of horse and foot were rapidly advancing toward the castle.