Brown was for some time in great hopes that they would drink so deep as to render themselves insensible, when his escape would have been an easy matter.

But their dangerous trade required precautions inconsistent with such unlimited indulgence, and they stopped short on this side of absolute intoxication.

Three of them at length composed themselves to rest, while the fourth watched.

He was relieved in this duty by one of the others after a vigil of two hours.

When the second watch had elapsed, the sentinel awakened the whole, who, to Brown's inexpressible relief, began to make some preparations as if for departure, bundling up the various articles which each had appropriated.
Still, however, there remained something to be done.