It had been worked by a stream that ran down the valley.

It was a dark, gloomy-looking structure; and the long green weeds that hung from the great wheel, where the water from the overshot trough splashed and tumbled over it, showed that it had been for some time abandoned.

These things had been noticed by Rupert when riding past it some time before, for, struck with the appearance of the mill, he had ridden up the valley to inspect it.
On his ride to Lord Fairholm's rendezvous, he wondered much what could be the nature of the adventure in which they were about to embark.

He knew that both his friends were full of life and high spirits, and his thoughts wandered between some wild attempt to carry off a French officer of importance, or an expedition to rescue a lovely damsel in distress.

Hugh, equally wondering, but still more ignorant of the nature of the expedition, rode quietly on behind.
The road was an unfrequented one, and during the last two miles' ride they did not meet a single person upon it.