The guard in the bow moved a little now and then only to relieve his cramped limbs.

Neil was absolutely motionless, as though he had ceased to breathe.

Jeekum uttered not a whisper.
It was his whisper that Nathaniel waited for, the signaling clutch of his fingers, the sound of his breath close to his ears.

Again and again he pressed himself against the sheriff's knees.

He knew that he was understood, and yet there came no answer.