In this context, when Robert Louis Stevenson writes "I gave a few halloa," he means that he shouted or called out a few times to get someone's attention or to announce his presence. It signifies a moment of reaching out or making oneself known.
"Halloa" is pronounced as "ha-LOH-ah."
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This meant not so good, as in "no great shakes." It can also mean just a few minutes, as in "Give me a few shakes to get ready." Also, it can mean a good opportunity or chance, as in "He gave me a fair shake on that land."
It means that most commercial reviewers (eg. for newspapers or magazines) gave the novel/movie/whatever a positive review, but a few critics gave a less favourable review.
I gave notice at the bank
he's a loser
He/she/it gave.
no
a few mean 3 and a couple means 2
If you mean '...there were a few...' then FEW, but if you mean phew as in relief, it's PHEW
france and the portugal
For example: The chair gave out to the immense weight of the man sitting on it. - Gave out would mean that the chair broke apart. YUH SEE?!