All were past middle age, some were old and toothless, but all were animated by a spirit of ferocious triumph.

Raising him into a sitting position, they clustered round him, some shook their skinny hands in his face, others heaped curses upon him, some of the most furious assailed him with heavy sticks, and had he not still been clothed in his armour, would then and there have killed him.
This, however, was not their intention, for they intended to put him to death by slow torture.

He was lifted and carried into the cottage.
There the lacings of his armour were cut, the cords loosened one by one, sufficient to enable them to remove the various pieces of which it was composed, then he was left to himself, as the hags intended to postpone the final tragedy until the men returned from the hills.
This might be some hours yet, as the Swedish cavalry would still be scouring the country, and other bodies of troops might be marching up.
From the conversation of the women, which he understood but imperfectly, Malcolm gathered that they thought the men would return that night.

Some of the women were in favour of executing the vengeance themselves, but the majority were of opinion that the men should have their share of the pleasure.
All sorts of fiendish propositions were made as to the manner in which his execution should be carried out, but even the mildest caused Malcolm to shudder in anticipation.

His arms were bound tightly to his side at the elbows, and the wrists were fastened in front of him, his legs were tied at the knees and ankles.