Hence, I will not
have my slumbers disturbed by a mere belief that danger may come."
"It's a good resolution, George," said Dick, "but unlike you, I am
subject to impulses, emotions, thrills and anxieties."
"Better cure yourself," said the Vermonter, as he rolled himself in the
blankets and put his head on his arm. In two minutes he was asleep,
but Dick, despite his weariness, had disturbed nerves which refused to
let him sleep for a long time. He closed his eyes repeatedly, and then
opened them again, merely to see the tethered horses, and beyond them
the circle of sentinels, a clear moonlight falling on their rifle
barrels. But it was very warm and cosy in the blankets, and he would
soon fall asleep again.
He was awakened about an hour after midnight to take his turn at the
watch, and he noticed that Colonel Winchester was still standing beside
one of the fires, but looking very anxious. Dick felt himself on good
enough terms, despite his youth, to urge him to take rest.
"I should like to do so," replied Colonel Winchester, "but Dick I tell
you, although you must keep it to yourself, that I think we are in some
danger. Your glimpse of the flying horsewoman, and the undoubted fact
that hundreds of horsemen have crossed the road ahead of us, have made
me put two and two together. Ah, what is it, sergeant?"
"I think I hear noises to the east of us, sir," replied the veteran.
"What kind of noises, sergeant?"
"I should say, sir, that they're made by the hoofs of horses.
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