The Power of Sleep—Plans discussed and a Far Journey resolved on.
It was broad daylight when we once again drew rein, and then we were all so overcome with sleep and exhaustion, after the prolonged watching and excitement of the night, that we could scarcely sit on our horses.
Eve, who sat behind me, grasping my waist with both arms, swayed so heavily once or twice, as nearly to throw me down.
“We must stop,” said I to Big Otter, who was close beside me.
“Yes,” replied the Indian; but his tone told that he was barely awake.
“If you doosn’t me drop,” said Salamander. The worthy interpreter seemed to think English the easiest language in the circumstances.
“Oh! I’m so sleepy,” said poor Eve, whose grief helped to increase her exhaustion.
“Come, we will camp in this thicket!” said Big Otter, turning his horse in the direction of a long strip of bush that lay a few hundred yards to our right.
On reaching it, we penetrated, almost mechanically, to the thickest part of it, dismounted, and fastened our horses to the trees. Turning instantly, to assist Eve in making a couch of leaves, I found that she had lain down where she had dismounted, and was already fast asleep.
“Here, Salamander, lend a hand to lift her,” I said, looking round; but Salamander was also in the land of Nod, flat on his back, with his eyes shut, and his mouth open.