During fully half an hour matters remained in this condition, not a sound save the usual night noises of the forest breaking the silence, and then the old darky, his alleged spell having been wrought, came toward Gil as he said:
“I’se gwine ter take my trick at standin’ watch, an’ you’se kin fin’ de odders.”
“It won’t take much hunting to do that, for I reckon they are guarding the other end of the tunnel; but, if you can attend to matters here for a while, I’ll be glad to see how things are getting on.”
“I’se done gone fixed myself,” was the grave reply, and Gil naturally came to the conclusion that the “fixing” was neither more nor less than those wonderful contortions in which the old darky had been indulging.
Nelse was more than pleased at seeing his friend, for the mental strain of watching over so many of the enemy was beginning to tell upon him, and, what seemed more important, the torch was nearly consumed.
“Stand here a while and I’ll make another,” he said, glad of any excuse which should take him from the chamber, with its frightened, cowering occupants, and Gil readily agreed to shoulder the responsibility.
To recount all that took place on this eventful night would be tedious. It suffices to say that a strict watch was kept at each point from which danger might be anticipated, and when morning came every member of the party felt thoroughly worn out and exhausted.
Jenkins had but little fear an attack would be made during the day, except it might be from the farther end of the tunnel, and proposed to run the risk of this by withdrawing the sentinel from that point and stationing him at the underground chamber, where his duty would be to stand watch over the entire tunnel.
“In that way we shall all get a chance to sleep, which is what we’re needin’ mighty bad, an’ I’ll take the first trick. Andy shall stay near the shaft, an’ you boys are to have a good two-hour snooze.”
“It strikes me that the torches won’t hold out a great while longer,” Nelse said, as he looked ruefully at the small supply of wood, which had diminished rapidly since the blacks were caught in the trap.
“We won’t worry about that. Time enough when we’ve used the last one. The important thing is to get some rest, an’ I want you boys to begin without delay so’s Andy an’ I can have our turn.”