“Yes, by all means, Bostock. What is it?”
“You sleep on it, sir, and see how you feel in the morning—both on you, and I’ll take the watch.”
“It is impossible to sleep to-night,” said the doctor, with a sigh.
“Yes; suppose those blacks were to take it into their heads to come and finish us.”
“Nay, they won’t do that, sir. Besides, I shall be on the watch.”
“No,” said the doctor; “you and Carey will lie down and sleep if you can. I will take the watch. Do as I tell you at once.”
“But it isn’t fair, sir,” said Carey, protesting.
“I must be obeyed in this time of emergency,” said the doctor, sternly. “Lie down and sleep if you can, and I will try and think out some way of proceeding. Good-night.”
Ten minutes later the doctor was sitting with his back to the door, and in spite of all that had gone by and the belief that he could not sleep a wink in the midst of the peril, Carey dropped off fast, and Bostock’s loud breathing told that he had followed suit, while the three blacks squatted there hour after hour, watching their master and tyrant like so many faithful hounds.