“Then go to sleep.”
“But I can’t sleep now.”
“Then lie down and keep awake.”
“Yes, I’ll do that,” said Chris, spreading out his blanket. “Come on, Ned; we’ll lie down and wait till he calls father, and then we’ll talk to him and get him to lie down again while we take his watch. Will you?”
“Of course,” said Ned eagerly.
“Hah! That’s better,” said Griggs. “Now you’re talking sensibly. It doesn’t do to oppose your captain at a time like that. Well rolled up, both of you?”
“Yes,” was the reply, from the ground where the boys were seated.
“Better lie down, my lads; you’ll keep warmer. There’s a chilly wind coming down from the mountains with a bite of frost in it.”
“Very well, then:—there!” said Chris peevishly.
Griggs did not speak then, but stood with his rifle-butt upon the ground and his hands resting on the muzzle for a few minutes, before he began to shake.