outweighed this inclination; and, after some hesitation, they
resolved to remain in the "ditch," into which they had so unwillingly
descended. They proceeded therefore to encouch themselves.

Their first attempt was made by placing themselves in a half-standing
position--their backs supported upon the sloping side of one of the
ridges, with their feet resting against the other. So long as they kept
awake, this position was both easy and pleasant; but the moment any one
of them closed his eyes in sleep,--and this was an event almost
instantaneous,--his muscles, relaxed by slumber, would no longer have
the strength to sustain him; and the consequence would be an
uncomfortable collapse to the bottom of the "gully," where anything like
a position of repose was out of the question.

This vexatious interruption of their slumbers happening repeatedly, at
length roused all four to take fresh counsel as to choosing a fresh
couch.

Terence had been especially annoyed by these repeated disturbances; and
proclaimed his determination not to submit to them any longer. He would
go in search of more "comfortable quarters."

He had arisen to his feet, and appeared in the act of starting off.

"We had better not separate," suggested Harry Blount. "If we do, we may
find it difficult to come together again."

"There's something in what you say, Hal," said the young Scotchman. "It
will not do for us to lose sight of one another. What does Bill say to
it?"

"I say, stay here," put in the voice of the sailor. "It won't do to
stray the wan from the t'other. No, it won't. Let us hold fast, thin,
where we're already belayed."

"But who the deuce can sleep here?" remonstrated the son of Erin. "A
hard-worked horse can sleep standing; and so can an elephant, they say;
but, for me, I'd prefer six feet of the horizontal--even if it were a
hard stone--to this slope of the softest sand."

"Stay, Terry!" cried Colin. "I've captured an idea."

"Ah! you Scotch are always capturing something--whether it be an idea, a
flea, or the itch. Let's hear what it is."

"After that insult to ma kintree," good-humoredly rejoined Colin, "I
dinna know whuther I wull."

"Come, Colin," interrupted Harry Blount, "if you've any good counsel to
give us, pray don't withhold it. We can't get sleep, standing at an
angle of forty-five degrees. Why should we not try to change our
position by seeking another place?"

"Well, Harry, as you have made the request, I'l