"He was covered up head and ears, but I saw his boots
sticking out from under the blanket."

"What time is it?"

"Two o'clock of a clear, starlight morning, and all's well," answered
Harvey; and this made it plain that if he was not a soldier he was
learning to be one, for he knew how to pass the sentry's call.

"_Well_; of all the dunderheads _I_ ever heard of that Tom Percival is
the biggest," thought Rodney, who had never in his life been more
astounded. "Two o'clock in the morning and he lying fast asleep there in
the corn-crib when he ought to be miles away! If I had known he was
going to act like that, I would have seen him happy before I would have
risked my neck trying to save his."

Rodney turned over on the other side with an angry flop and tried to go
to sleep again; but that was quite out of the question. He could do
nothing but rail at Tom for his stupidity, and wonder if the latter
would have sense enough to hide the revolver before Mr. Westall or some
other Emergency man went into his prison in the morning to bring him
out. Two other men got up and left the cabin before day-light, and the
Barrington boy knew they visited the corn-crib, for he heard their
footsteps as they were going and returning; but as they both brought a
few sticks of wood with them and mended the fire without saying a word,
Rodney was forced to the conclusion that Tom was still safe in his
prison.

Jeff, who was an early riser, was stirring long before the first signs
of coming dawn could be seen through the numerous cracks in the walls of
the cabin, and when he got out of his bunk it was a signal to all his
men, who were prompt to follow his example. The Emergency men and Rodney
arose also, for of course it was useless to think of sleeping longer
with so many pairs of heavy boots pounding the dirt floor on which their
blankets were spread. One of the wood-cutters set off for the river with
a bucket in each hand to bring water for cooking and washing purposes,
others went to feed the stock, and Nels, at Mr. Westall's request, went
to arouse Tom Percival.

"No doubt he will enjoy the fire after passing the night in that cold
corn-crib," said the Emergency man, spreading his hands over the
cheerful blaze upon the wide hearth. "But whether or not he will enjoy
the society into which he will be thrown before he has another chance to
sleep, is a different matter altogether."

"And I think I should enjoy a little exercise," chimed