But now Ralph was leaning back against one of the walls, snoring evenly and steadily.

In the next room sat Edna Markham, wide awake.

She knew of the arrangement made with Ralph, and she knew the boy's healthy, sleepy nature, so that when he went on watch she went on watch.
Outside of the cave were three wild beasts.

One of them was crouching on the farther end of the plateau.

Another, on the lower ground a little below, stood, gun in hand, and barely visible in the starlight.