I am glad of it, for he may learn something which he desires to know, and which he would never find out by staying here.

I wish I could have gone with him, but no doubt he will do better alone." It was demonstrated, therefore, that the guide had violated the very rule which he had impressed more than once upon his young friends, for he had left Jack Dudley sound asleep, as he believed, without any one standing sentinel over him.

But it was because the circumstances were so exceptional and extraordinary that it justified such suspension of the rules.
Jack did not hesitate to make himself as comfortable as the situation would permit.

He folded his blanket on the ground, and sat with his back against the very rock where he had fallen asleep the night before.
"No danger of my doing it again," he reflected; "and it wouldn't make any difference if I did, since Hank believes I am dreaming." Jack supposed he threw the wood on the flame to keep away the possible danger from wild animals that might be prowling in the neighborhood; though, because of the reasons named, there was little to be apprehended from them.

The youth was so alive to the situation that he heard a cough from one of the ponies lying on the ground near the further side of the plateau, and beyond sight.