ons in a semicircle, and provide a resting-place for the
women and children inside. As they were passing through a country
occupied by Indians it was necessary to post one or more sentinels to
keep watch through the night, and give notice of any who might be seen
lurking near the camp. Fortunately, however, an Indian attack was seldom
made at night. The time generally selected was in the morning, when the
party were preparing to start on their day's march. Tom, as a boy, would
have been excused taking his turn; but this did not suit him. He
requested as a favor, that he might stand watch with the rest.

"Can he be relied upon? Is he not too young?" asked Fletcher, the
leader, of Mr. Ferguson.

"You can depend upon him," said the Scotchman confidently. "There's
more manliness in Tom than in many men of twice his years."

"Then I will put his name on the list," said Fletcher.

"That's right. I'll answer for him."

But there was one of the travelers who was by no means eager to stand on
watch. This was Lawrence Peabody, the young man from Boston. He sought
an interview with Fletcher, and asked to be excused.

"On what grounds, Mr. Peabody?" asked Fletcher, surprised.

"It doesn't agree with me to lose my night's sleep," said Peabody. "I am
naturally delicate, and----"

"Your excuse is not satisfactory, Mr. Peabody. We are banded together in
a little community, having mutual rights and mutual obligations. In the
arrangements made for the common safety it is your duty to bear your
part."

"I am willing to provide a substitute," said Peabody eagerly.

"Where will you find a substitute?"

"I have been talking with Tom Nelson. He says he is willing to serve in
my turn."

"He will serve when his own turn comes; that will be all we can expect
of him."

"But he is only a boy. Why should he be expected to take his turn?"

"If he is old enough to be a substitute, he is old enough to stand watch
for himself."

"But, Mr. Fletcher, I am very delicate," protested Lawrence Peabody. "I
must have my regular sleep, or I shall be sick."

"We must take our chances of that, Mr. Peabody."

"I shall be very likely to go to sleep on my post."

"I wouldn't advise you to," said Fletcher seriously. "It might be
dangerous."

"Dangerous!" ejaculated Peabody nervously.

"Precisely. If a lurking Indian should surprise you, you might wake up
to find yourself scalped."

"Good gracious!" exclaimed the Bostonian, his teeth chatter