It was well for Malcolm that they did so, for so stiff and numbed were his limbs that he could scarcely hold the axe, and the slightest push would have thrown him to the ground.
Some minutes passed before, by stamping his feet and rubbing his legs he restored circulation sufficiently to totter across the room.

Then he seized a brand and thrust it into the thatch of the house, having first put on his helmet and placed his sword and pistols in his belt.

His hands were too crippled and powerless to enable him to fasten on the rest of his armour.

He knew that he had no time to lose.

Fortunately the women would not know how weak and helpless he was, for had they returned in a body they could easily have overpowered him; but at any moment the men might arrive, and if he was found there by them his fate was sealed.
Accordingly as soon as he had fired the hut he made his way from the village as quickly as he could crawl along.