“He can’t be,” replied Chris sturdily; “there hasn’t been time.”
“What!” cried Griggs, laughing. “Not time? Well, come with me and look; I’ll be bound to say he is. But what do you want to say to him?”
Chris hesitated to answer, but the American pressed him, and the boy spoke out.
“I only wanted to tell him that I didn’t want to be such a selfish pig as to go to sleep and leave him to keep watch.”
“Oh!” said Griggs gravely.
“And to say that I was going to order you to wake me when the four hours are up, and I’d go on duty.”
“I see,” said Griggs. “Well, come along; he’s over there by the packs; but promise me if he’s asleep that you will not waken him.”
Chris hesitated for a moment or two, and then promised unwillingly, the boys following the American softly to where the heavy breathing of three sleepers could be plainly heard.
“There,” said Griggs, leading them back; “are you satisfied?”
“Yes,” replied Chris. “They haven’t been long going off.”