“My name is William Francus,” the soldier said.  “I was at one time, before the king took up arms, a soldier in the castle there.  I had a sweetheart in the town, and as my turn to go out from the castle came but slowly I used at night to steal away to visit her.  I found after a great search that on the face of yonder wall where it looks the steepest, and where in consequence but slight watch is kept, a man with steady foot and head could make shift to climb up and down, and thus, if you please, will I guide a party to the top of the rock.”

“It looks impossible,” Randolph said, gazing at the precipice; “but as you tell me that you have done it others can do the same.  I will myself follow your guidance.”

“And I,” Archie said.

“What, Sir Archie, think you is the smallest number of men with whom, having once gained footing on the wall, we may fight our way to the gates and let in our friends.”

“I should think,” Archie replied, “that with thirty men we might manage to do so.  The confusion in the garrison will be extreme at so unexpected a surprise, and if we divide in two parties and press forward by different ways they will think rather of holding together and defending themselves than of checking our course, and one or other of the parties should surely be able to make its way to the gates.”

“Thirty let it be then,” Randolph said.  “Do you choose fifteen active and vigilant men from among your retainers; I will pick as many from mine, and as there is no use in delaying let us carry out the enterprise this very night; of course the rest of our men must gather near the gates in readiness to rush in when we throw them open.”

As soon as it was dark the little party of adventurers set out on their way.  Francus acted as guide, and under his leading they climbed with vast difficulty and no little danger up the face of the precipice until they reached a comparatively easy spot, where they sat down to recover their breath before they prepared for the final effort.

They could hear the sentries above speaking to each other, and they held their breath when one of them, exclaiming suddenly, “I can see you!” threw down a stone from the battlement, which leapt, crashing down the face of the rock close beside them.  Great was their relief when a loud laugh from above told them that the sentry had been in jest, and had but tried to startle his comrade; then the two sentries, conversing as they went, moved away to another part of the walls.

The ascent was now continued, and proved even more difficult than that which they had passed.  They were forced continually to halt, while those in front helped those following them, or were themselves hoisted up by the men behind.  At last, panting and breathless, they stood on the summit of the rock, on a narrow ledge, with the castle wall rising in front of them.  They had, with enormous difficulty, brought up a light ladder with them.  This was placed against the wall.  Francus was the first to mount, and was followed by Sir Andrew Grey, whom Randolph had invited to be of the party, by Archie Forbes, and by the earl.  Just as the latter stepped on to the battlements the sentries caught sight of them and shouted: