“Confer with a Majerona! Never, my boy. They are the Philistines of Peru and are cannibals. Why, that fire over there was not to cook their food. They pulled the deer apart and ate strips of meat raw. I don’t wish to frighten you, only to make it plain that we are near an enemy that doesn’t even know what it is to spare a man of a different tribe or race. To change the subject, I will suggest that as we have to prepare for a siege, our best plan is to get some sleep. It will be necessary to keep a close watch all night. I am very tired and I will ask Mr. Hope-Jones to stand the first, Mr. Ferguson the second, and I will take the third.”
“What about me?” asked Harvey. “I should do my share.”
“Very well. I thought you might be lonely on guard. You may take that last watch, the one near daybreak. That will make four watches of two hours each. Come, those who can get rest had better improve the opportunity.”
Saying which the Peruvian rolled himself under a blanket and lay down in the shadow of one of the boulders. Ferguson followed his example, and Harvey, drawing his cover close, took a position in the centre of the camp.
“Tell the lad to come out of the moonlight,” said the captain to Ferguson, who was between them. The American did so, and Harvey crept closer to Señor Cisneros. “Why was that?” he asked.
“Because moonlight falling on one’s face in this latitude sometimes causes insanity.”
“I have heard that,” the boy said, “but I thought science had exploded the theory.”
“Science or no science, no Indian will ever lie down in the open without covering his head. And now good night. Try to sleep.”
But as for sleep, nothing was farther from Harvey’s mind. He lay quite still, however, so as not to disturb the others, and watched Hope-Jones, who stood at the opening near the river, his rifle resting on the little ledge of rock, gazing steadily in the direction of the Indian camp. The owl continued to hoot, the night bird to call, the tree-toads chirped merrily, and the frogs kept up their doleful croaking. But the mournful chant had ceased, and it was evident that slumber had stolen over the camp of the Indians. The boy, in earnest endeavor to sleep, resorted to all those expedients which are recommended, and finally counted up to one thousand. After that he yawned and wondered if it was possible, if he was really losing consciousness under such circumstances; if——Some one tapped him on the shoulder, and he sprang to an upright position.
“It’s your watch, Harvey,” the captain said. “But never mind, I will stand it for you.”