"I think we'd better tie up here and eat cold food," said Henry.
"An' then sleep," said Shif'less Sol. "That wuz a mighty comf'table
Spanish blanket I had last night an', Jim Hart, I want to tell you that if
you move 'roun' to-night, while you're watchin', please step awful easy,
an' be keerful not to wake me 'cause I'm a light sleeper. I don't like to
be waked up either early or late in the night. Tain't good fur the health.
Makes a feller grow old afore his time."
"Sol," said Henry, who was captain by fitness and universal consent,
"you'll take the watch until about one o'clock in the morning and then
Paul will relieve you."
Jim Hart doubled up his long form with silent laughter, and smote his knee
violently with the palm of his right hand.
"Oh, yes, Sol Hyde," he said, "I'll step lightly, that is, ef I happen to
be walkin' 'roun' in my sleep, an' I'll take care not to wake you too
suddenly, Sol Hyde. I wouldn't do it for anything. I don't want to stunt
your growth, an' you already sech a feeble, delicate sort o' creetur, not
able to take nourishment 'ceptin' from a spoon."
"Thar ain't no reward in this world fur a good man," said the shiftless
one in a resigned tone.
They ate quickly, and, as usual, those who did not have to watch wrapped
themselves in their blankets and with equal quickness fell asleep.
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