"While you were doing it the savage would make mince-meat of you. No, Peabody, fire at once. This would wake us all up, and if you didn't kill the reptile we would do it for you."
"Perhaps he would see me first," suggested Peabody, in a troubled tone.
"You mustn't let him. You must have your eyes all about you. You are not near-sighted, are you?"
"I believe I am—a little," said Peabody eagerly, thinking that this might be esteemed a disqualification for the position he dreaded.
"Oh, well, I guess it won't make any difference, only you will need to be more vigilant."
"I wish I was blind; just for to-night," thought Peabody to himself, with an inward sigh. "Then they would have to excuse me."
John Miles overtook Fletcher, who was with the head wagon.
"Captain Fletcher," he said, "I am afraid Peabody will make a mighty poor watch."
"He is more timid than the average woman. I've got a sister at home that has ten times his courage. If she hadn't I wouldn't own the relationship."