"I have not. Why do you ask?"
"Coz, Mistah Sam, I ain't agoin' to sleep while you weah yorself out. I may be purty mean, but I ain't nigh so mean as dat. I ken steer in de dark as well as de next man, an' I'm agoin' fer to try, if so be you don't objeck."
"Me, too; allee same like Ike. Me no steels so well likee me cookee, but I tly, too," said Wah Shin.
"I am glad to see, boys," said Sam, feeling stronger for the spirit shown by his two most dependent companions, "that you are willing to do your part. If we come out all right, as I believe we shall, it will be because we never felt like giving up."
"Dem's my sentiments," said Ike, heartily.
"Me say allee same likee dat," joined in Wah Shin, who showed that he was coming out strong as their trials increased.
Ulna spoke not a word, but in the dim and fading light his dark face glowed with a pride and pleasure more eloquent in its expression than words.
To show that he appreciated their efforts, and with the belief that it would be better for all, if each was made to feel that he had an important share of the responsibility on his shoulders, Sam decided that they should take turns in steering during the night, in the same order that they would if on guard.
These arrangements were hardly completed when the impenetrable darkness, to which no mortal with eyes could ever grow accustomed, came down on the cañon.
Sam had matches in a water-proof case, and with the help of these and his watch they were enabled to mark the hours during that long, dreary night.