They matched patience with patience.

The sun went slowly up toward the zenith, and the earth grew hot, but they were protected from the fiery rays by the foliage of the trees.

Yet Ned grew restless.

He was continually poking the muzzle of his rifle over the log and seeking a target, although the forest revealed no human being.
Finally Obed put his hand upon his arm.
"Easy, now, easy, Ned," he said.

"Don't waste your strength and nerves.
They can't charge us, at least in the daylight, without our seeing them, and, when they come, we want to be as strong of body and brain as possible.