Devil gave a hollow laugh. “I like to have a lot on hand. Saves us going to the shed over and over again and bothering the guards and that. Say, Captain Senn,” he said getting to his feet, making the floor rock still more, “did my money ever come from home?”
“No.” Senn cleared his throat. “That wood should be taken back first thing tomorrow. You’ll set this place on fire.”
Through a chink in the pile of logs Tim saw something move. It was one of Senn’s boots. Tim stared at the polished toe as if it were the head of a rattlesnake. Then he saw it move again. Senn was going toward the door. “Corporal, now you can take them up. Boys, don’t forget that wood.”
As he stepped on the sill the floor boards groaned and a piece of wood tumbled off the top of the stack.
“See what I mean?” said Senn. “That’s too much wood.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Come now, boys,” Addison said.
Tim heard one of the sailors raising the lantern glass and blowing out the flame. Now the kitchen was dark. The sailors left.
The Army cook was ordered into the yard and Addison summoned another guard to go with him when he took the cooks back to their quarters.
It was customary for at least two guards to pace the courtyard all night long. The guard changed at nine in the evening and again at one and five. They usually hung a lantern by the wagon gate and one from the corner of the woodshed roof. There was also the lamp on the wall by the jailhouse door.