This he made no attempt to cross, but made his observations from the far side.
Singleton, taking care not to be seen, crept back into the armoury, from which he took a bugle.

Bringing it out into the terrace, he sounded a few shrill notes; and then instantly seizing a lantern, ran hurriedly to and fro with it on various parts of the battlements.

Then without waiting a moment he took up a musket and fired it in the direction of the scout, who, however, was by this time out of reach.
"There!" said Singleton, putting down his weapon; "that will satisfy them we are on the alert, all of us, and ready for them! Perhaps they will think better of it, and turn tail." No! in a few minutes the sound of the advancing troop again rose in the night.

They came on at a trot, dragging their gun along with them.
Presently there was a gleam among the trees, and next moment some fifty horsemen appeared in view, with a cannon in their midst, which, equally to Singleton's satisfaction and surprise, they proceeded to get into position at the very entrance to the wood.
It was on this spot, it will be remembered, that the young laird had carefully levelled the gun that surmounted the great gate.

Everything depended now on the skill with which he had aimed it.