That Jenkins did not come back, although the night had fully shut in, gave them no uneasiness, for all believed he would play the spy once more before joining them, and it would not be surprising if he were absent until past midnight.
It was dull work sitting there in the darkness after the conversation regarding their movements when they should be free was exhausted, and it seemed as if they must have been in the tunnel several hours, when Gil said, with a yawn:
“Of course, somebody must keep awake so’s to hear Jenkins when he wants the rope passed up to him, but that’s no reason why all hands of us should sit here nodding.”
“You’re right, lad. Turn in, an’ me an’ my mate will ’tend to the rest of the business.”
“But you must have some sleep.”
“We’ll have a chance to get plenty before leavin’ this ’ere hole, so don’t trouble your head about us.”
“We’ll crawl back a short piece, and try to find a place where we can stretch out at full length,” Gil suggested, and Nelse replied:
“Go ahead; I’ll follow close enough to keep hold of your coat.”
Gil proceeded on his hands and knees to avoid a possible fall, and at least twenty yards had been traversed when his companion asked:
“Don’t you think we’ve gone about far enough? It isn’t safe to get too near that door at the end, for there’s no knowing when the blacks may come down this way.”