I'd rather go on watch toward morning if I were you, because if anything happens in the night it will happen late." Ned considered it good advice and he lay down in his blankets, having been notified that he would be called at one o'clock in the morning to take his turn.

Once more he exerted will to the utmost in the effort to control nerves and body.

He told himself that he was now surrounded by friends, who would watch while he slept, and that he could not be surprised.

Slumber came sooner than he had hoped, but at the appointed hour he was awakened and took his place among the sentinels.
Ned found the night cold and dark, but he shook off the chill by vigorous walking to and fro.

He discovered, however, that he could not see any better by use, as the darkness was caused by mists rather than clouds.