"I am not willing to excuse him."
"Of course not; but I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll keep an eye open myself, so that we sha'n't wholly depend on him."
"If you are willing to do it, Miles, we shall all be indebted to you. Don't let him know it, though."
"I don't mean to. He shall suppose he is the only man awake in camp."
At a comparatively early hour the party stretched themselves out upon the ground, inviting sleep. Generally they did not have to wait long. The day's march brought with it considerable physical fatigue. Even those who were light sleepers at home slept well on the trip across the plains. Few or none remained awake half an hour after lying down. So Peabody knew that he would soon be practically alone.
With a heavy heart he began to pace slowly forward and back. He came to where Tom lay.
"Tom—Tom Nelson," he called, in a low voice.
"What's the matter?" asked Tom, in a sleepy tone.
"Are you asleep?"
"No; but I soon shall be."