tell you what I'll do. I'll keep an eye open
myself, so that we sha'n't wholly depend on him."

"If you are willing to do it, Miles, we shall all be indebted to you.
Don't let him know it, though."

"I don't mean to. He shall suppose he is the only man awake in camp."

At a comparatively early hour the party stretched themselves out upon
the ground, inviting sleep. Generally they did not have to wait long.
The day's march brought with it considerable physical fatigue. Even
those who were light sleepers at home slept well on the trip across the
plains. Few or none remained awake half an hour after lying down. So
Peabody knew that he would soon be practically alone.

With a heavy heart he began to pace slowly forward and back. He came to
where Tom lay.

"Tom--Tom Nelson," he called, in a low voice.

"What's the matter?" asked Tom, in a sleepy tone.

"Are you asleep?"

"No; but I soon shall be."

"Won't you try to keep awake a little while? It won't seem so lonesome."

"Sorry I can't accommodate you, Mr. Peabody; but I'm awfully tired and
sleepy."

"Who's that talking there?" drowsily demanded the nearest emigrant.
"Can't you keep quiet, and let a fellow sleep?"

"Good night, Mr. Peabody," said Tom, by way of putting an end to the
conversation.

"Good night," returned the sentinel disconsolately.

The hours passed on, and Lawrence Peabody maintained his watch. He was
in no danger of going to sleep, feeling too timid and nervous. He began
to feel a little more comfortable. He could see nothing suspicious, and
hear nothing except the deep breathing of his sleeping comrades.

"It is not so bad as I expected," he muttered to himself.

He began to feel a little self-complacent, and to reflect that he had
underrated his own courage. He privately reflected that he was doing as
well as any of his predecessors in duty. He began to think that after he
had got back to Boston with a fortune, gained in California, he could
impress his friends with a narrative of his night-watch on the distant
prairies. But his courage had not yet been tested.

He took out his watch to see how time was passing.

It pointed to twelve o'clock.

Why there should be anything more alarming in twelve o'clock than in any
other hour I can't pretend to say, but the fact none will question. Mr.
Peabody felt a nervous thrill when his eyes rested on the dial. He
looked about him, and the darkness seemed blacker and more awe-inspiring
than ev