Moving objects could be observed at a great distance, where the character of the surface permitted, and now and then moving bodies of men were discernible on the slopes of faraway peaks.

Don Miguel's dusky face seemed to brighten, his eyes to gather almost a smile, whenever such parties were seen.

It was plain to his captors that he looked upon the wandering bands as friendly to his interests.
Always the marching men--if scrambling up a mountain side in undignified positions may justly be described as marching--were headed for heights above.

All were proceeding as silently as possible, too, and that gave an air of secrecy, of mystery, to the wild scenery and the romantic moonlight.

Occasionally the flickering gold of a camp-fire mingled with the silver of the moon.
Just before dawn, when the members of the party were nearly ready to drop from exhaustion, a sharp challenge rang out ahead, and Lieutenant Gordon gave a word which caused a cautious guard to withdraw his threatening gun, and to hasten forward to greet his chief.