embered that one of the brigands
had already gone away, and, as he supposed, to Salerno. If so, he
would, no doubt, either see his friends, or at least hear from
them, some time on the following day.

The more he considered his situation, the more free from all
immediate danger did it seem, and the more did his hopes increase.
He looked forward with eager hope, to the following day. That would,
without doubt, bring him news of his friends, or, perhaps, restore
him to liberty. Under the pleasant influence of thoughts like these,
his mind grew more calm and cheerful every moment, and passed into
a state of tranquil contentment Besides, he was tired, and his
weariness brought on drowsiness. As long as his excitement lasted,
he could not feel the drowsiness; but now, as calmness returned,
the weariness and sleepiness became stronger, and by degrees
overpowered him.

Gradually the thoughts of his mind became intermingled with the
fancies of dreams, and blended the realities around him with things
at a distance. All was still, outside and inside. No sound whatever
arose from below. The family seemed all asleep. At last Bob dozed
off also, and passed into the land of dreams.

His sleep was not heavy. Many things conspired to keep his senses
somewhat on the alert even in that slumber of his, and he was in
that condition which is called sleeping with one eye open. The fact
is, the extraordinary excitement of his donkey ride, and especially
of his last adventure in thus falling into captivity, had so roused
his faculties, so affected his nerves, and so sharpened his senses,
that even in his sleep there still predominated the thoughts and
the purposes of his waking hours.

In this state he remained for some time, sleeping, yet vigilant,
the body gaining rest and refreshment, but the wary soul on the
alert, as though to guard against danger.

How long this sleep continued, whether minutes or hours, Bob could
never afterwards remember; but with a sudden shock through all his
nerves, he opened his eyes. He was lying, as he had flung himself
on the straw, on his back, with his head elevated against a bundle
of straw, in such a way that he could see the length of the room.

It was a noise that he heard. He listened breathlessly, and looked
with all his eyes.

Around him all was dark. It might be near morning, or it might be
early night; he could not tell. All was still, outside and inside--the
blackness of darkness and the st