He did not believe he would sleep a wink through the night, for never were his emotions wrought to a more keenly torturing point.

It was almost impossible to remain still, but he forced himself to lie down, with his heavy blanket gathered around him.
It would be distressing to dwell upon the anguish and grief of the youth, as he lay wide awake, his brain alert and his blood at fever-heat.

At times it all seemed so like a dream that he turned his head to make sure Fred Greenwood, his loved chum and comrade, was not lying at his side.

But no, it was all a dreadful reality, and he groaned in spirit.
As the minutes passed he appeared to grow more wakeful, until he was in as full possession of his faculties as when fleeing from the grizzly bear.

And it was while lying thus, wondering what the hour could be, that he became aware that Hank Hazletine was standing at the mouth of the cavern, on the other side of the smouldering fire.