I soon came upon one of the sentries, who challenged me; but he made room for me beside him after a few words had passed.
“Oh yes,” he said, “you can stay here if you like; but why don’t you go and lie down till you have to relieve guard?”
“Because I feel too excited to sleep,” I replied.
“Humph! Yes, it has been warm work,” said the sentry; “but I suppose we shall get used to it. I’m excited; but I feel as if I’d give anything to lie down for an hour.”
“Well, lie down,” I said. “I’ll keep watch for you.”
“You will?” he said joyfully. “No, no; I’m not going to break down like that. Don’t say any more about it. It’s like tempting a man. Here, I say,” he whispered eagerly, “how quiet they are! You don’t think they’re going to make a night attack—do you?”
“No,” I said; “it’s not likely. What good could they do when they couldn’t see to shoot?”
“None, of course. It’s not as if they were soldiers with bayonets. The only thing they could do would be to stampede the horses.”
“What!” I whispered excitedly. “Oh, I say, don’t talk like that.”
“Only a bit of an idea that came into my head. Don’t see anything—do you?”