There it was again! A stealthy step on the gravel.
Troubridge and Lee crouched down breathless.

One minute, two, five, but it did not come again.

At length they both moved, as if by concert, and Lee said, "'Possum." "Not a bit," said Troubridge; and then Lee lay down again, and slept in the light of the flickering fire.

One giant arm was thrown around his head, and the other hung down in careless grace; the great chest was heaved up, and the head thrown back; the seamed and rugged features seemed more stern and marked than ever in the chiaroscuro; and the whole man was a picture of reckless strength such as one seldom sees.
Tom had dozed and had awoke again, and now sat thinking, "What a terrible tough customer that fellow would be!" when suddenly he crouched on the floor, and, reaching out his hand, touched Lee, who woke, and silently rolled over with his face towards the window.
There was no mistake this time--that was no opossum.

There came the stealthy step again; and now, as they lay silent, the glass-door was pushed gently open, showing the landscape beyond.