Should he rise and give the alarm?
Something restrained him.

He reflected that a robber would be sure to stumble over some of the "brats." So he lay still and finally slumbered, only awakening when the place in which he slept was full of the smoke of frying grease from the room below.
At breakfast Pete Jones scowled.

He was evidently angry about something.
He treated Ralph with a rudeness not to be overlooked, as if he intended to bring on a quarrel.

Hartsook kept cool, and wished he could drive from his mind all memory of the past night.

Why should men on horseback have any significance to him?
He was trying to regard things in this way, and from a general desire to keep on good terms with his host he went to the stable to offer his services in helping to feed the stock.
"Don't want no saft-handed help!" was all he got in return for his well-meant offer.