three o'clock in the morning
We have all got fat and lazy , and a little fighting will do us good . '' The thought of a coming fray reconciled the men to their departure from their quiet and happy resting place . Armour was donned , buckles fastened , and arms inspected , and in half an hour , after a cordial adieu from their kind hosts , the detachment marched off , their guide with a lighted torch leading the way . The men were in light marching order , having left everything superfluous behind them in the wagon ; and they marched briskly along over hill and through forest without a halt , till at three o'clock in the morning the little town of Mansfeld , with its castle rising above it , was visible before them in the first light of morning . As they approached the walls a musketoon was fired , and the alarm bell of the church instantly rang out . Soon armed men made their appearance on the walls . Fearing that the burghers might fire before waiting to ascertain who were the newcomers , Malcolm halted his band , and advanced alone towards the walls .