He had merely looked at it in a kind of vague curiosity.
Feeling that every attempt to solve anything would be hopeless, he fell asleep again, and when he awoke a man with a lantern was standing beside him.

It was a soldier with his food, the ordinary Mexican fare, and water.

Another soldier with a musket stood at the door.

There was no possible chance of a dash for liberty.

Ned ate and drank hungrily, and asked the soldier questions, but the man replied only in monosyllables or not at all.