As none of them was aware of its exact position, they decided to wait where they were, until daylight.
Searching about, they found a deserted hut, with a shed adjoining it.
The horses were led into this, and the party then gathered in the hut, and John struck a light, while Oswald and Roger broke up a fallen gate, and the fire was soon blazing.

Although there was not the slightest chance of anyone travelling the road, at this hour, they hung one of the thick blankets across the window, thus keeping out the cold air, as well as preventing the light from being seen.

Then the party lay down, the men taking it by turns to stand guard outside, being relieved every two hours.
As soon as day dawned they again mounted.

It was about four miles' ride to the point where the road divided, one branch going towards the river, some seventy or eighty yards away.

Here stood a square building of some size, used as a refuge by travellers who arrived when the Liddel was swollen, and the ford impracticable.
When the riders had come within a few yards of this building, two men, hearing the sound of horses' hoofs, came out.