midnight
I walked for some time by the sea-shore , without seeing any one . At last I espied our fishing-boat , just peering out , and then keeping close to the shore . I was afraid that the party would be impatient at not seeing my signal , and would come out to the mouth of the cave , and show themselves too soon . If Mr. M'Leod had not been their commander , this , as I afterwards learned , would have infallibly happened ; but he was so punctual , cool , and peremptory , that he restrained the rest of the party , declaring that , if it were till midnight , he would wait till the signal agreed upon was given . At last I saw a man creeping out of the cave -- I sat down upon my wonted stone , and yawned as naturally as I could ; then began to describe figures in the sand with my stick , as I was wont to do , still watching the image of the man in the water as he approached . He was muffled up in a frieze great coat ; he sauntered past , and went on to a turn in the road , as if looking for some one . I knew well for whom he was looking .