But what's the use of one of us keeping guard here ?" "Why not ?" "We are in this cavern-like arrangement, where no one can come upon us from the rear, while the fire will ward off danger from the front." "Suppose that danger comes in the form of an Indian; what would he care for half a dozen fires ?" "But there are no unfriendly Indians in these parts." "You are thinking of Motoza.

We have agreed that he is friendly, but sometimes I suspect we are making a mistake about him." The boys would have been glad to convince themselves that it was safe to dispense with guard duty, for a night of undisturbed rest was exceedingly tempting, but no one who starts out with the set purpose of deceiving himself can do so.

The result of it all was that the two decided that they must stand guard between them until the sun rose.
On such occasions the sentinel whose turn comes first has the preferable task, since every one will admit that it is easier to keep awake before midnight than afterward.

The division was made more equitable by arranging that Jack Dudley should serve until two o'clock, and Fred Greenwood for the remainder of the morning.

Before the hour of ten the younger lay down on the flinty floor, with his heavy blanket gathered around him, and sank into slumber.