In half an hour, I think, you can be in a real bed, with sheets and blankets." "I don't need anything like that," said Fred, rousing himself and smiling.

"I think I could sleep on a board that was studded with nails! And I know that they could fight a battle all around me to-night without waking me up when I once get to sleep." "I'd like to let you stop here--we are within our lines now--but I know the staff will want to see you and ask a few questions.

And you have done so much already for Russia that I believe you will want to do that much more before you rest." "Oh, a few minutes more or less won't make any difference!" said Fred.
He yawned hugely.

"As long as I'm awake, I can make myself stay awake.
If I once let go, though, I promise you I'll be hard to rouse!" There were more Russians about here than Fred had supposed.

It was plain that since Ivan had had any information as to the conditions here, re-enforcements had been brought up, for it was not through outposts that they were riding, but through a large body of troops.