A second, third, and fourth time, the signal was repeated, fainter and fainter, as if at a greater and greater distance.

It was obvious that a party of soldiers were near, and upon their guard, though not sufficiently so to detect men skilful in every art of predatory warfare, like those with whom he now watched their ineffectual precautions.
When these sounds had died upon the silence of the night, the Highlanders began their march swiftly, yet with the most cautious silence.

Waverley had little time, or indeed disposition, for observation, and could only discern that; they passed at some distance from a large building, in the windows of which a light or two yet seemed to twinkle.

A little farther on, the leading Highlander snuffed the wind like a setting spaniel, and then made a signal to his party again to halt.

He stooped down upon all-fours, wrapped up in his plaid, so as to be scarce distinguishable from the heathy ground on which he moved, and advanced in this posture to reconnoitre.