The next morning the benefit of the change and the removal from the fever tainted air made itself already apparent.  The distance performed on foot was somewhat longer than on the preceding day; the men were in better spirits, and marched with a brisker step than that with which they had left the camp.  At the end of the fourth day they approached the wood in which the village was situated.

“I will go on ahead,” Malcolm said.  “Our approach will probably have been seen, and unless they know who we are we may meet with but a rough welcome.  Halt the wagon here until one returns with news that you may proceed, for there may be pitfalls in the road.”

Malcolm had kept the horse on which he had ridden to Landsberg, and it had been tied behind the wagon.  During the last day’s march he had been strong enough to ride it.  He now dismounted, and taking the bridle over his arm he entered the wood.  He examined the road cautiously as he went along.  He had gone about half way when the farmer with four of his men armed with pikes suddenly appeared in the road before him.

“Who are you,” the farmer asked, “and what would you here?”

“Do you not remember me?” Malcolm said.  “It is but three months since I was here.”

“Bless me, it is our Scottish friend!  Why, lad, I knew you not again, so changed are you.  Why, what has happened to you?”

“I have had the fever,” Malcolm said, “and have been like to die; but I thought that a change to the pure air of your hills and woods here would set me up.  So I have travelled here to ask your hospitality.”

By this time the farmer had come up and had grasped Malcolm’s hand.

“All that I have is yours,” he said warmly.  “The lookout saw a wagon coming across the plain with three or four men walking beside it, and he thought that many more were seated in it; so thinking that this might be a ruse of some freebooting band, I had the alarm bell rung, and prepared to give them a hot reception.”

“I have brought some sick comrades with me,” Malcolm said.  “I have no thought of quartering them on you.  That would be nigh as bad as the arrival of a party of marauders, for they are getting strength, and will, I warrant you, have keen appetites ere long; but we have brought tents, and will pay for all we have.”

“Do not talk of payment,” the farmer said heartily.  “As long as there is flour in the storehouse and bacon on the beams, any Scottish soldier of Gustavus is welcome to it, still more if they be comrades of thine.”

“Thanks, indeed,” Malcolm replied.  “I left them at the edge of the wood, for I knew not what welcome you might have prepared here; and seeing so many men you might have shot at them before waiting to ask a question.”

“That is possible enough,” the farmer said, “for indeed we could hardly look for friends.  The men are all posted a hundred yards further on.”

The farmer ordered one of his men to go on and bring up the wagon, and then with Malcolm walked on to the village.  A call that all was right brought out the defenders of the ambush.  It had been arranged similarly to that which had been so successful before, except that instead of the pit, several strong ropes had been laid across the road, to be tightened breast high as soon as an enemy came close to them.