“Let him sleep, then,” said Mr Preston rather bitterly. “I will watch;” and as he spoke he looked in the direction of the Greeks’ camp.
“Let thy servant,” said Yussuf quietly; “I am well rested now.”
The result was that Lawrence, after a glance round to see that everywhere it was dark and still, once more lay down to sleep, leaving Mr Preston and the Turk talking in a low voice about their proceedings the next day.
Then once more all was blank, but to the lad he did not seem to have been asleep a minute when he heard voices and started up, to see that it was broad daylight, and that Mr Preston and Yussuf were in earnest conversation with Mr Burne, who was sitting up rubbing his eyes.
“Been asleep!” he cried; “nonsense! I don’t believe I have closed my eyes.”
“No,” said Mr Preston as Lawrence hurried up. “I do not suppose you did. It was nature, and she laid you down comfortably on this soft sandy bed.”
“But you astound me,” cried the old lawyer. “I can’t believe it.”
“Quite true all the same,” said the professor; “but never mind now.”
“It is of no use to mind, my dear sir. We must make the best of it.”
“Of course, but you should have awakened me when you felt weary.”