“I wonder how the sentry stands it,” thought the young private; and taking advantage of the Malay being very quiet—for not so much as a step had been heard for quite an hour—Peter made a sign to his companion not to take any notice, and then crossed to the other side of his prison, and after walking to and fro slowly and quietly a few times, he raised one foot to a bamboo cross-piece, sprang up, caught at a second bar, and held on just long enough to get one glance through the hole, before dropping lightly down again.
“Look at that, now,” he muttered, for he had had time to see that the sentry was squatting down upon his heels, his chin buried in his breast, and evidently fast asleep. “What a chance if I was outside!” thought Peter; and he climbed quickly and silently up now to have a good look at their guard, just in time to see him start up erect and catch hold of the spear he had leaned against the tree that shaded him.
At the same moment Peter Pegg grasped the fact that the Malay had not been disturbed by his movements, for he was gazing right away down the forest path facing the big door.
“It must be somebody coming,” thought Peter. “He sleeps like a weasel, with one eye open.”
He had proof the next minute that he was right. The steps became audible, and a couple more spear-armed men approached; there was a short whispered conversation, and one of them took the sentry’s place.
“Changing guard,” muttered Peter, “That’s imitation of what they have seen us do. Wonder whether they are going to carry that on all night.”
In due time there was another visit from the party which had brought the fruit and water, the surly-looking leader having the door unbarred, to give a look round, and then, on their being satisfied that the prisoners had an ample supply of provisions, the door was closed again, to Peter Pegg’s great relief, for he placed his lips close to Archie’s ear and whispered:
“Oh, I have been squirming! I was afraid they would begin to hunt for the spear they left behind.”
“Spear left behind?” said Archie.
“Yes; didn’t I tell you? They forgot one last night, and it’s tucked in behind you, under the leaves.—Now then,” thought the lad, “what’s it going to be—sentry by day only, or one all night?”