He kept the fire burning brightly to keep prowling animals away, and listened to the regular breathing of his companions, who were soon fast asleep.
The hours flitted by.
Martin Haypole’s time was nearly up, and he was still seated in the position he had taken on commencing his watch.
Up to this time he had remained wide awake, but now he began dozing.
Suddenly he was brought to his full senses by hearing the crackling of a twig at his elbow.
The Yankee glanced hastily up, and was surprised to see the figure of a man within two feet of him.
Before he could make a move the stranger seized the rifle from his hands, and bounded from the spot with the speed of an antelope.
“Hey!” exclaimed Haypole, springing to his feet and firing his revolver at the retreating form. “Who in thunderation be you, anyhow?”
But a splash told him that the man had taken to the water.