I rejoiced that the fellow slept, for he rasped me with his ceaseless, senseless attacks on the Roman Church.

Yet the gentle-voiced priest had tamed his open hatred somewhat; so before he lay down the sectary sat long in moody silence staring at the other with glinting eyes, as though fit speech failed him.
As the sun sank to the horizon I went forth again upon the platform, waving a blazing signal torch to the expectant groups below.

The sky overhead was blue, but to the north and east, as far as I could see for overhanging cliff, great masses of black cloud were showing ominously, their ragged edges emitting lightning flashes, although too distant for me to distinguish the thunder.

Below, in the valley, the approaching storm would not yet be visible; but from my aerie I prayed for a dark night, the swift approach of a battle of the elements.
Arousing Cairnes, who was already awake but lying glowering at the unconscious priest, I despatched him to the jutting platform, with instructions to keep close watch on all movements in the village.

Then I busied myself with final preparations for our desperate sortie.