But the Highlanders also were archers, and carried stronger bows.

The square was halted, the first ranks kneeling and the second standing behind them.

Then, at a given word, the stiff bows which these hardy people used against the lion and the buffalo upon their hills were drawn to the ear and loosed again and again with terrible effect.
On that open place it was almost impossible to miss the mobs of the Abati who, having no experience of war, were fighting without order.

Nor could the light mail they wore withstand the rush of the heavy barbed arrows which pierced them through and through.

In two minutes they began to give, in three they were flying back to their main body, those who were left of them, a huddled rout of men and horses.