“We ought to start early in the morning,” I said, my thoughts still on my father.
“We will start at four o’clock,” announced Captain Guerez. “So make the most of your rest.”
The captain had intended to divide up the night into watches, but Murillo came forward and volunteered to stand guard.
“You go to sleep,” he said in Spanish. “I sleep when you are gone. I know how to watch.”
Feeling the old man could be trusted, we all retired. In a few minutes Burnham was snoring, and shortly after the others also dropped asleep.
It lacked yet a few minutes of four o’clock in the morning when Murillo came stealing into the house and shook everyone by the shoulder.
“Spanish soldiers down by the railroad,” he explained hurriedly. “They intend to come up this road.”
“Then let us be off!” cried Captain Guerez.
All of us were already arranging our toilets. In a few seconds we were ready to leave, and Murillo was paid for the trouble he had taken in our behalf.