He forgot everything but the defence of his castle and the glory of his clan; and waited eagerly for the time of action.
The cavalcade made a halt about halfway through the wood, and in the still night air, with the light breeze carrying it, Singleton could hear the sound of voices as in hurried consultation.

Then a single horseman approached; and before many minutes he could just discern in the dim moonlight a form emerging from the wood and stealthily approaching the castle.
"Let him come and spy," said Singleton, to himself.
"He will see the lights, and perhaps a few spear-heads on the walls--and he'll report as much to his chief.

Ah!" At that moment the clouds cleared away from the moon and clearly revealed the intruder.

He was one of the Macfies, Singleton could see, and fully armed.

He dismounted at the border of the wood, and advanced cautiously on foot to the edge of the moat.